BTSC Mock Draft - Pick #8 by Baltimore Ravens: Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee

by Blitzburgh on Apr 6, 2008 3:30 PM EDT in News

Pardon the day or two delay as I caught my breath following last week's whirlwind pace here on BTSC. I'm throwing a huge curvelball out there with this pick, so I'd like to hear any feedback. Regular, fast-paced action resumes from here on out, starting with the Cincinnati Bengals and BadMaafala at #9.

Most draftniks have the Ravens selecting either Matt Ryan if he's available, or Leodis McKelvin or whichever CB they determine is best fit to eventually replace the aging Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle. Personally, I don't think Ryan's worth it, and I don't think that any of the first round CB talent is head and shoulders above some of the value that could be had later in Day 1 or on Day 2. Rolle and McAllister aren't going anywhere in the next two years, so why waste a first round CB to not play for essentially half of his rookie contract? Instead I'm going with the LB that I feel will surprise people immediately in the NFL, and a player whom I feel is perfectly suited for Baltimore's defense-first, trash-talking idnetity. I'm selecting Jerod Mayo.

Mayo led the SEC with 140 tackles last year, recording an astounding 62 in the Volunteers' last four games. Here's my rationale behind the pick. First of all, I don't think Matt Ryan is a franchise-type QB. I just don't, though I must say I have no real reason other than that I haven't been impressed the four or five times I've watched him compete. I don't think he's overly mobile, his arm strength is certainly not in the same class as Jay Cutler's or some of the other young QBs in the league, and he's not tremedously accurate, at least not in the same way that guys like Brady, Brees, or Hasselbeck are. The Ravens could use some help at WR, but there's nobody worth taking in the top 10. The offensive line isn't great, but it's not terrible either.

Basically, if I were the Ravens I would hope to solidify the defense in the 2008 draft and then hope to look for a franchise type QB in the 2009 draft. Remember, the AFC North teams face the ridiculously tough schedule this coming year. And with the Steelers and Browns both in good position to lead the division, it's not likely that the Ravens will be in the playoffs. In fact, it's not unlikely that Baltimore wins only 4 or 5 games in 2008. That would put them in good position to draft high again in 2009 when QBs like Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford are available.

Finally, Mayo has the chance to be a star at the next level. At 6'2", 230 lbs, Mayo has the speed to play on the outside, as well as the power to play in the middle. He's notorious for being the most intense guy on the field at all times, and I think he could be a perfect fit in Baltimore learning from Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Although he could probably easily gain ten pounds of bulk early in his career, he's probably going to be moved back outside at the next level, where his tremendous closing speed and open-field tackling abilities will be better utilized.

Mayo would at least help the Ravens'
defense while the offense underoges a
slower retooling phase

Mayo wasn't really on everybody's radar before the Combine, but there he impressed scouts with his measurables. His 4.54 was third best among LBs, and his vertical leap and 20 yard shuffle were also near the top for his position. We know his insticts are good due to his incredible volume of tackles in the SEC, so in my mind, this is as close to a sure bet as you're going to find in the first round provided he can stay healthy.

So, I'm breaking from conventional wisdom in a big way and selecting Jerod Mayo with the 8th overall pick of the BTSC Mock Draft.

BTSC Mock Draft Team Selections

#1 - Miami Dolphins, Darren Mcfadden
#2 - St. Louis Rams, Chris Long
#3 - Atlanta Falcons, Sedrick Ellis
#4 - Oakland Raiders, Vernon Gholston
#5 - Kansas City Chiefs, Jake Long
#6 - New York Jets, Glen Dorsey
#7 - New England Patriots, Dominique Rodger-Cromartie

0 recs | Comment 19 comments

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

Plusses and minuses

I agree with you that the Ravens probably need to look to LB at some point since Ray Lewis is getting old and they lost Adalius Thomas last year.

However, I probably would have gone Matt Ryan here. The reason I passed on him as the Falcons pick is that he could get killed with all of the holes the Falcons have. I think the Ravens have a good enough OL and running game to help Ryan make the transition. McNair is just about done, Boller's proven not to be the answer, and is Troy Smith really going to be future?

So, while I agree that Ryan is not the franchise QB that he's being touted as, I think Ryan would be a good fit on this team. This is the team that won a SB with Trent Dilfer. I'm sure we all hate cliche of a QB managing the game, but this is the team that needs a QB who "manages the game" and doesn't screw it up.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 6, 2008 3:50 PM EDT 0 recs

i hear ya

But why waste a top 10 pick on a game manging type QB. There are others that can do that available in rounds 2 or 3. Top ten picks should be reserved for special talents, that's why I am not at all sold on Ryan.

by Blitzburgh on Apr 6, 2008 4:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

True

The question is whether those guys are an improvement over the guys they have (Boller and Smith). Also, Mayo is someone that it would appear they could get in the 2nd round.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 6, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

very true

Mayo probably would have been there early in the second.

by cgolden on Apr 7, 2008 8:09 AM EDT up 0 recs

Maybe steelerark

has seen Mayo play more and can give an idea whether this is as much of a reach as most draft pundits would seem to think. I couldn't find a lot of info on him. His combine times looked pretty good from what I could tell, but the draft site that lifer had posted a diary on had him listed as a late 1st, early 2nd rounder.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 6, 2008 4:03 PM EDT 0 recs

He's a great player

with a ton of speed. He is one of those guys who are always in the middle of the play, no matter where he started on the field. He had a great combine, but at Tennessee's pro day, he really showed out, which really upped his status. Kiper had him as high as the Titans, but I put absolutely zero stock in what mel has to say. Mayo is a stud who is very intelligent and will learn the game at the next level very well. I think that whomever does get him, he will be starting pretty soon. I personally like this pick, as Baltimore's LB core is aging, and I can't stand Ray Lewis. Nicely done.

by steelerark on Apr 6, 2008 7:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

If he's getting more attention

after the combine, he may not be available in the 2nd. I do agree that the Ravens will need a new LB.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 7, 2008 10:34 AM EDT up 0 recs

its fun to

go against the grain in these mocks.

I agree, Blitz, with your assessment of Ryan ...I'm not a big fan either, especially in the top ten. Ironically, I compare him to Boller coming out of college: seems like a good kid, works hard, has some skills, but I don't think will ever develop into a top flight QB (although Kiper and Mayock love the kid and think he is an elite prospect).

Mayo seems like a top prospect and this does seem high according to most "experts" but that why you get paid the big bucks to make the hard decisions!

What about OL here...is it a need for them? Is Ogden retiring or did he already retire? Brandon Albert or Clady could work here depending on how high they have these guys rated.

by SteelerMike on Apr 6, 2008 5:05 PM EDT 0 recs

wow, I'd be stunned if the Ravens

don't select Ryan. You guys will be surprsied how good this kid will be as a pro, I think he's definitely a franchise qb.

by Terry on Apr 6, 2008 7:49 PM EDT 0 recs

perhaps

Like I said, I'm not entirely sure about him. Franchise QBs are soooo rare to find, I just think he'll be ok, nothing special. But thats just subjective opinion. I'd have a hard time pulling the trigger on this pick if I were a GM.

by Blitzburgh on Apr 6, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

the things I like about Ryan are his intangibles

which IMO are more important than the measurables and stats.

by Terry on Apr 6, 2008 10:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

intangibles

When you games in a weak ass ACC in college. Talent and ability when games as an NFL QB. I dont think he's all-world in terms of talent.

by Blitzburgh on Apr 6, 2008 11:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

I disagree Blitz

to be a great qb, you need a lot more than talent and ability otherwise guys like Jeff George and Ryan Leaf would be HOFers.

Intangibles are also the reason why Brady, Hasselbeck and Romo are 6th rd picks and UFA.

IMO, what really makes a QB great at the pro level are things you can't see which is why you have so many 1st rd busts and late rd greats.

by Terry on Apr 7, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up 0 recs

Other issues as well

I hate to say it, but I agree with Terry. :) There are also other issues as well, though. I also think that coaching, situation, and system play into the success of players. Look at Joe Montana. He was the perfect QB at the perfect time for Bill Walsh's system in the 80s. Would he have become a legend if he was drafted by the Dolphins and played for Don Shula? I have my doubts. He could have been a good QB, but I don't know that he would have been a HOFer.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 7, 2008 11:53 AM EDT up 0 recs

yah

to be a franchise QB in the NFL you got to have both talent and intangibles. very hard to judge QBs out of college though. most scouts I see don't have Ryan as high rated as Ben was for example coming out. in fact back in '04 many scouts thought Ben was going to be the best pro but they agreed you had to take Manning first because of his pedigree. Mike Martz (say what you want about him as a coach, but he's a great QB evaluator) thought Ben was one of only a few QBs in last 15 years he thought were truly elite coming into the draft. The others was Peyton Manning and Jay Cutler. Jury still out on Cutler but certainly looks like he could be very good.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Apr 6, 2008 11:57 PM EDT 0 recs

yah,

if you remember, most mocks had us taking Rivers. Ben was supposed to go around no. 5 or so, and it was considered a huge steal that we got him when we did. I think intangibles matter, and I think that if you look historically at the league, what it truly comes down to is a mixture of talent and character. Most of the guys that you see succeed in the qb position have been decent hard-working guys, guys that excel in the leadership role. Montana, Favre, Aikman, Bradshaw, Marino, Kelly, Elway, Brady, Manning, Staubach, Tarkenton, Young, Griese. All those guys were excellent leaders with good work ethics and they were, for the most part, decent, likeable men. So intangibles to me are pretty important. Everyone has heard the stories of how big of a dick Ryan Leaf was. Ben had a great rookie season, but won the SB after he matured a bit in the leadership role and took ownership of it.

by steelerark on Apr 7, 2008 4:49 PM EDT 0 recs

Leadership and

a fear of failure. One thing I remember from an interview with Joe Montana years ago was that he said he was motivated by a fear of failure. That is, he worked so hard because he didn't want to fail, perhaps even more than he wanted to succeed. And, Jerry Rice also talked about working so hard because he wanted to make it as hard as possible for anyone to break his records.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 7, 2008 5:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Trade down or pick up value

Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee will be a very good player but he isn't a top ten pick. Trade down 10 or 15 picks and you can still pick up the player you are targeting. Unfortunately, Brian Brohm, Chad Henne, and Joe Flacco will be gone by your pick in round 2.
I don't think you can pass on Matt Ryan if he is there.

Dennis

by belvalle55 on Apr 7, 2008 6:04 PM EDT 0 recs