The fact that the Ravens were willing to trade him within the division tells you all you need to know about how the Ravens view his talent and how he would fit in their plans. Dumping a young guy to a division rival means they can't wait to get rid of him.
It may tell you how the Ravens feel about Wormley, but it also shows the Steelers have a different opinion of him. The question will be which opinion is more accurate.
In this case I'll side with the team that's seen him every day for the past 3 years. Sure there are redemption stories like Darren Waller, but I'd say those are more outliers than the norm. Wormley will be a backup for them and a hopeful short term injury substitution. If he becomes some type of regular dominant starter, I'll be shocked, but more power to him.
Also, only under contract for 1 more year as I understand so they will either have to extend him now sight unseen or wait until he is a full free agent so if he blows up he will be expensive and if he flops it was just as we expected and we got a nice pick upgrade for free. Either way, I see the Ravens coming out ahead in this deal.
Expect him to get a crack at multiple different positions in the front. He also provides short term insurance for Tuitt returning from injury. I was higher on him predraft than most and I’m still a bit surprised that he hasn’t performed better to date.
Jimmy Smith signed a 1 year deal which is more amazing news for the Ravens. A few of us over the past few years have noted how vital he is to the defense and how much better they are when he plays. Levine also apparently resigned. I do think the Ravens hope to get some playmakers on the front 7 in the draft, but the draft is looking like we are going to be stocking up on more offensive pieces after all these defensive moves.
1 more season of brandon williams albatross contract then we can cut bait and sign Lamar to his big deal I am glad that Jimmy is back, he can start covering TE's off the line in the nickel while Tavon gets the slot and our 2 outstanding outside guys can make plays while Chuck knocks the hell out of the RB in the flat and Earl can get to ball-hawking in centerfield.
Jimmy also only signed a 3.5M deal with another 2.5M available from incentives. I'm guessing number of games played is one of them.
We resigned Chris Moore. This is pointless to me as his only real value is Gunner. He can't return, and he sure can't play receiver. You're telling me no one on a rookie contract can do that? Mark this post and come back to it the first time we see an off-season article talking about how spectacular Moore looks at receiver and how he's putting it together this year.
I agree. This was the "meh" move. He just takes up a spot that could go to a young kid cheaper and with actual potential. I think we know what Chris Moore is so no need to guard against a breakout here.
After all the moves so far, do you still think we go for a pass rusher in the first round? Do we go WR, or do we go ILB? I'd say those are my top 3 needs. LB may have the biggest hole, but it's the spot I'm least excited to draft in the first. Do we potentially trade up, or do we walk away with a pile of high draft players?
Looks like we nixed the Brockers deal and he has resigned with the Rams. That leaves the Raves with a pile of cash. Do you think they make a play for Clowney at this point?
as a side diversion, the GMO draft is taking place currently and I am representing the Ravens. Here are the results through about halfway of the 4th round: 1st: Kenneth Murray, LB 2nd: KJ Hamler WR 3rd: Curtis Weaver, OLB 3rd: Damien Lewis, G 3rd: Gabriel Davis, WR 4th: (traded up) Alton Robinson, OLB 4th: TBD 4th: TBD 7th: TBD
It really does suck about the Brockers deal as we are a bit unproven in that area now, but nothing you can do about it. Am I the only one who isn't giddy over Murray? Now I preface this by saying I don't pay attention to college FB (especially compared to some), so what I've seen of him is extremely limited. Still, one article signaling his virtues on the Ravens website posted a highlight video of him. For "highlights", I thought he looked terrible. Yes he was fast, but he comes in so high to tackle that all I envision of him is missed tackles for long gains or getting trucked by a bigger back. I just don't see him as a LB in the mold that we are used to, but people can feel free to enlighten me more on the subject.
so, full disclosure, I missed the beginning of the draft so this was an autopick by the moderator, but, after I went back, I did not see other players drafted in the next 5-10 picks that I would have rather had than him. I think this is just a dead spot in the draft and in hindsight, I may have tried t trade back if I had been there live. I think that may be the stance of the Ravens as well. If a few great players drop based on QB and other positions being taken early, then maybe they stay pat, but I could easily see them either putting a packet together and moving up or gather more (specifically for next year also) and dropping back.
Mock Draft follow up: Here are the results through 5th round: (disclosure, I traded away our 5th round pick so I could move up in the 4th round and also traded Hayden Hurst for a 3rd round pick to select a Guard). I included the NFL.com grade for context. In my draft process I used a blended rate of Draftek.com as well as NFL.com to come up with a hybrid ranking system. I did not rank them myself, I did not have that kind of time. 1st: Kenneth Murray, LB OK (Nfl.com grade: 6.49) 2nd: KJ Hamler WR PSU (Nfl.com grade: 6.40) 3rd: Curtis Weaver, OLB Boise St (Nfl.com grade: 6.10) 3rd: (Traded Hayden Hurst for this slot) Damien Lewis, G LSU (Nfl.com grade: 6.22) 3rd: Gabriel Davis, WR UCF (Nfl.com grade: 6.25) 4th: (traded up) Alton Robinson, OLB Syr (Nfl.com grade: 6.33) 4th: Yasir Durant, T Mizz, (Nfl.com grade: 6.13) 4th: Colby Parkinson, TE Stan (Nfl.com grade: 6.13) 7th: TBD I'm open for discussion, commentary and critique. It won't hurt my feelings at all. Thanks!
