Is Troy Smith the future at QB for the Ravens?
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1/29 Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn
When the Ravens were unable to
trade up to nab quarterback Brady Quinn,
they decided to use their resources on the best offensive lineman available,
and possibly the best guard in the draft.
While he was a left guard in college, he’ll be battling for the right
guard spot in Baltimore. His addition
means great things for short-yardage runs for Willis
McGahee and Musa Smith,
along with some added pass-protection for Steve
McNair.
3/74 Yamon Figurs, KR, Kansas State
Though on the depth chart as a
wide receiver, Figurs was drafted strictly for his return abilities on special
teams and his 4.3 40-yard dash time. In
2006, Figurs returned 48 punts for 598 yards and two touchdowns to go with 28
receptions and three touchdowns. BJ Sams will likely be bumped off of the
roster for Figurs, but no one should be bumped off of your fantasy roster for
the return specialist.
3/86 Marshal Yanda, OT, Iowa
While Yanda isn’t the strongest
lineman that was drafted, he does provide size (6’4”, 307 lbs) and incredible
work-ethic. The former Hawkeye played
tackle in college, but he’ll likely be moved to guard upon joining the
Ravens. Similar to Grubbs, Yanda should
be able to add to the Ravens’ potential in short-yardage situations as well as pass plays.
4/134 Antawn Barnes, OLB, Florida Int’l
Adalius Thomas packed his bags for New England, so Baltimore drafted a
linebacker that not only ran a 4.43 40-yard dash, but one who was also able to
bench press 225 lbs. 31 times. Barnes
is currently second on the depth chart at strong-side linebacker, but with only
Jarret Johnson ahead of him, Barnes is far from buried. Barnes is a
big-hitter that can move to a pass-rusher in certain formations. He’s definitely a linebacker to keep your
eye on in dynasty and deeper IDP formats.
4/137 Le’Ron McClain, FB, Alabama
McClain was taken out of Alabama
in the fourth round and landed right on top of the fullback depth chart for
Baltimore. The Ravens aren’t a team
that passes to their running backs much, so don’t expect a ton of receptions even
though the former member of the Crimson Tide caught over 20 balls in 13 games
last season. He’ll be called upon to
lay some blocks for Willis McGahee – and if you’re noticing a trend, three of
the first five picks for Baltimore involve bolstering the run game.
5/174 Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State
There was a point in time where
the Heisman Trophy meant something.
Smith led the Ohio State Buckeyes to the National Championship game
while throwing 30 touchdowns and only six interceptions. The downfall started in said game as the
Florida Gators lowered his draft stock in the matter of four quarters of
play. While Smith won’t be called on
much this season, he has a great teacher in Steve McNair. Obviously, Kyle
Boller isn’t the long-term answer, so Smith may not be a bad last
round pick in dynasty leagues if you can stash him away for a season.
6/207 Prescott Burgess, OLB, Michigan
Burgess had a
mediocre season in 2006, finishing with 50 tackles and three sacks in 10
starts. He’s second on the depth chart
behind Bart Scott at the weak-side
linebacker, but I would not count on seeing him much unless there’s a
devastating injury.
