/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12074869/20130203_jla_su5_508.0.jpg)
This was one of the easiest draft picks made in this entire mock, as it was pure BPA. At this point in the draft and where the Baltimore Ravens stand with their current roster, they really can take any route they want in the 1st round. Besides QB, RB and C, I would not be surprised to see Ozzie Newsome snatch the best player available at any of the other positions. That is what has happened at this pick.
If we are discussing need, it is clear that Baltimore will be addressing ILB, WR and S at some point in the draft, maybe even double-dipping at a few of those spots. These were the three positions that clearly took the biggest hit this offseason because of the player not fitting the right price.
There were two prospects taken just before this that Baltimore has shown serious interest in -- S Matt Elam and DE Tank Carradine. If either of those two (especially Carradine) drop as far as they did in this draft, then I would expect Ozzie to make a move for either of them. However, the player that falls to #32 should never have been here to begin with either. While not really a pressing need, you can never have enough quality cornerbacks in the NFL.
There is nothing wrong with making a position of strength even stronger. And Ozzie Newsome has proved that in the past with certain picks. Between Lardarius Webb, Jimmy Smith, and Corey Graham, Baltimore is very strong and deep at the CB position. And with the pass rush in front of them this season, it will make their jobs easier. However, this player is far too good to pass up and would only make the Ravens stronger on the back end.
With the 32nd pick, the 2012 Superbowl Champion Baltimore Ravens select D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston.
Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
D.J. Hayden has shot up most teams' draft boards after finally being medically cleared in the wake of a life-threatening event.
Hayden's break on the ball is as good as any CB I have seen coming out, and if not for the medical red flag early on, Hayden would be a guarantee to go ahead of Milliner. He is also a playmaker - as evidenced by his two interceptions returned for TD's last season. He has the speed you look for, the height, and the physicality to be an AFC North CB.
Don't think for a minute that Ozzie will shy away from taking a top 15-20 talent at pick 32.
Team | Player | Pos | School | BTSC rep | |
1 | ![]() |
Star Lotulelei | DT | Utah | [Link to pick] |
2 | ![]() |
Dion Jordan | DE/OLB | Oregon | [Link to pick] |
3 | ![]() |
Sharrif Floyd | DT | Florida | [Link to pick] |
4 | ![]() |
Dee Milliner | CB | Alabama | [Link to pick] |
5 | ![]() |
Eric Fisher | OT | Central Michigan | [Link to pick] |
6 | ![]() |
Luke Joeckel | OT | Texas A&M | [Link to pick] |
7 | ![]() |
Lane Johnson | OT | Oklahoma | [Link to pick] |
8 | ![]() |
Barkevious Mingo | OLB | LSU | [Link to pick] |
9 | ![]() |
Chance Warmack | OG | Alabama | [Link to pick] |
10 | ![]() |
Jonathan Cooper | OG | North Carolina | [Link to pick] |
11 | ![]() |
Tavon Austin | WR | West Virginia | [Link to pick] |
12 | ![]() |
Xavier Rhodes | CB | Florida State | [Link to pick] |
13 | ![]() |
Ezekiel Ansah | DE | BYU | [Link to pick] |
14 | ![]() |
Cordarrelle Patterson | WR | Tennessee | [Link to pick] |
15 | ![]() |
Jarvis Jones | OLB | Georgia | [Link to pick] |
16 | ![]() |
Kenny Vaccaro | S | Texas | [Link to pick] |
17 | ![]() |
Tyler Eifert | TE | Notre Dame | [Link to pick] |
18 | ![]() |
Sheldon Richardson | DT | Missouri | [Link to pick] |
19 | ![]() |
Bjoern Werner | DE | Florida State | [Link to pick] |
20 | ![]() |
D.J. Fluker | OT | Alabama | [Link to pick] |
21 | ![]() |
Alec Ogletree | LB | Georgia | [Link to pick] |
22 |
![]() ![]() |
Eddie Lacy | RB | Alabama | [Link to pick] |
23 | ![]() |
Sylvester Williams | DT | North Carolina | [Link to pick] |
24 | ![]() |
Datone Jones | DE | UCLA | [Link to pick] |
25 |
![]() ![]() |
Geno Smith | QB | West Virginia | [Link to pick] |
26 | ![]() |
Johnathan Hankins | DT | Ohio State | [Link to pick] |
27 | ![]() |
Arthur Brown | LB | Kansas State | [Link to pick] |
28 | ![]() |
Matt Elam | S | Florida | [Link to pick] |
29 | ![]() |
Keenan Allen | WR | California | [Link to pick] |
30 | ![]() |
Desmond Trufant | CB | Washington | [Link to pick] |
31 | ![]() |
Cornellius Carradine | DE/OLB | Florida State | [Link to pick] |
32 | ![]() |
D.J. Hayden | CB | Houston | Mr MaLoR |