The 2024 Baltimore Ravens thread

Shamayw_33

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Im legit shocked we passed on Ringo…especially to take another ILB

I like Simpson as a prospect but I hate that we drafted a LB with the the needs we have at CB,oline,and dline
I guess this means Queen is gone. Question is, when?
 

Shamayw_33

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Trenton Simpson scouting report

Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson projects as a hybrid defender at the NFL level who will be best implemented on passing downs and as a positionless defender who attacks defenses in coverage and zone blitz looks. He’s a skill-specific player who, when used right, can be an impact starter.

Originally a 5-star recruit, Simpson hails from a military family and committed to the Tigers out of Mallard Creek in Charlotte, NC. Simpson was a two-way player in high school, taking reps as a linebacker and at running back. He led his team in sacks (20) during his final season in which Mallard Creek finished among the best programs in the state. Simpson peaked at Clemson in 2021 under then-DC Brent Venables, who utilized him as a chess piece and allowed him to earn a lot of reps around the football. He also earned his bachelor’s degree from Clemson in three years, earning a Communications degree this December ahead of his departure for the NFL.

Simpson’s roles throughout the course of his career with the Tigers were expansive—this dude was everywhere on tape. His versatility and ability to hide in personnel peaked in 2021 under Venables, who had Simpson taking snaps every which way from deep safety, playing games across the front as a scheme pressure player, and triggering from depth as a WILL linebacker. Modern linebackers who move the needle are the ones with skill sets to contribute on the passing downs and Simpson looks ready to go on this front, even if he saw his usage get away from some of those ideal qualities in 2022. His ability to fulfill a role as a pressure player in multiple front defenses will be because of his explosiveness and length; both are blue-chip qualities that pair to make him a huge influence as a rusher. Add in his work as an apex and overhang defender in zone coverages outside the hash and you have yourself a player with plenty of pathways to contribute to your defense.

When Simpson is shooting gaps from depth or wide angles, he brings a lot of force into his challenges to spotlight his ability to deconstruct blocks. He’s a dynamic finisher, too. He’ll run through blocks and you rarely see him catch a blow as compared to delivering one. His ability to run through blocks is among the best in the class and he showcased elite closing burst when spying quarterbacks underneath—which he did frequently in 2022.

He is an impressive athlete and the more you watch, the more you appreciate his versatility. But how consistent and impactful can he be as a stack backer on the second level? He filled this role more frequently in 2022 and was challenged, losing out on his explosive burst to attack the football and instead being left in muddy piles of bodies too often. And considering how offenses can motion or flip the strength with a shift, Simpson will not be immune to living life on the second level of the defense in the NFL, either. Continued focus on negotiating blocks will take him further in these instances, as he can get swallowed up at the point of attack with vertical surge in the run game. Several of his perimeter rushes fell flat with high and wide hands—particularly his near hand, which too often fell off the inside shoulder and slipped off the body. He’s got the length and explosiveness to be more impactful with better strike accuracy early in those reps assuming he goes to a place that will ask such reps out of him.

Expectations for Simpson are going to depend on the plan in place by the team that drafts him. Are they looking to develop him into a more traditional stack linebacker? Or are they going to empower him to fulfill the impact role that he’s had as a member of the Tigers? There may be a lag in development before we see his best version in the pros but I would expect Simpson is a plus starter in due time.

Top Reasons to Buy In:

  • Electric range in coverage and pursuit
  • Explosive hitting power and impressive finishing ability to the football
  • Passing-down value is rare for a player of his stature
  • Instincts playing forward or in space against the pass
Top Reasons For Concern:

  • Not a one-size-fits-all prospect for scheme fit
  • Saw reduced impact in 2022 when moved into a more traditional stack role
  • Ability to set the edge or deconstruct blocks in the box is an area for improvement
Size (NFL Combine):

Height: 6′ 2”

Weight: 235 lbs

Arm Length: 32 3/8”

Hand Size: 10 1/4”

Athletic Testing (NFL Combine):

40-yard Dash: 4.43s

Vertical Jump: TBD

Broad Jump: TBD

Short-Shuttle: TBD

Three-Cone: TBD

Bench Reps: 25 reps

Ideal Role: Nickel linebacker

Scheme Fit: Multiple front; zone pressure scheme

Prospect Comparison: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2021 NFL Draft)
 

Shamayw_33

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They irritate me with these damn reach ass picks. You got two fast long arm CBs in Cory Trice 15th ranked CB at 6'3 206 and 14th ranked Terrell Smith at 6'1 204 sitting right there and they take the 24th ranked CB Kyu Blu Kelly 6'1 191?

The fukk are they doing?! Both Trice and Smith excel in press man coverage and have better measurables. I haven't seen anything that would make Kelly the better pick here.

Couldn't get Darius Slay, let Peters walk and this is how they address the CB position :what:
 

Shamayw_33

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Kyu Blu Kelly scouting report

Stanford cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly is a former three-star recruit. He is an athletic cover man that stems from his background in track and field. Blu Kelly was a two-time state long jump champion, finishing second in the 200-meter and third in the 100-meter dash. His father played for USC and 11 years in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions.

As a freshman, Blu Kelly earned playing time and became the starter for the final nine games and has been the starter since. His experience will be valuable to NFL evaluators with more than 1,250 coverage snaps in his career.

Blu Kelly is a competitive and sticky man-coverage corner. The confidence he displays when aligned tightly to the line of scrimmage is clear. Blu Kelly is patient and decisive in press-man coverage. He times his punches well to disrupt the timing of the wide receiver. His footwork is clean to mirror receivers in the release phase to stay attached once they enter their route stems.
I appreciate his understanding of leverage and the coaching point of “take away something, to chase something.”

Blu Kelly uses his pre-snap alignment to force receivers into his strengths. Typically aligning with inside leverage, he wants to carry routes vertically due to his sprinter background. It is easy to see how well he plays the upfield shoulder of the receiver and squeezes them to the sideline. Blu Kelly’s competitiveness at the catch point is impressive. He does a good job with positioning to attack the ball or play through the wide receiver’s hands. Blu Kelly has good route instincts to read and diagnose the receiver’s options. A willing participant in run defense. I admire his ability to squeeze and leverage the ball as a perimeter force defender. There are redeeming reps for Blu Kelly using side-saddle or Cover 3 bail technique. This gives hope of him operating in zone coverages at the next level if needed.

Blu Kelly does not play with the same confidence or comfort in off-coverage. His transitions are not fluid and his footwork/technique is lacking. He seems too antsy and anxious to protect his leverage and hips. There are some issues with eye discipline for Blu Kelly. As a result, double moves have been a thorn in his side when he is asked to play with a cushion. He struggled versus USC receiver Jordan Addison, mostly from off-coverage, allowing the receiver to dictate pacing and manipulating leverage. This will limit his ability to play in multiple scheme or coverage concepts effectively, if not improved. Improving his tackling technique is important for his run support.

Overall, Blu Kelly projects as an outside/field cornerback. I do believe there is upside to move into the slot if the matchup warrants it. He is a press-man-style corner that excels getting his hands on the receiver and staying hip to hip. There is upside to develop or become a CB1 for a defense. There is potential for him to become a shadow cornerback, following a wide receiver across formations. The physical tools/traits and coverage abilties garner day one or two consideration for the draft.

Top Reasons to Buy In
:

  • Good ball production
  • Man coverage specialist
  • Playstyle and demeanor
Top Reasons For Concern:

  • Segmented transitions
  • Scheme versatility
  • Missed tackles
Size (NFL Combine):

Height: 6′ 0”

Weight: 191 lbs

Arm Length: 32”

Hand Size: 9 3/4”

Athletic Testing (NFL Combine):

40-yard Dash: 4.52s

Vertical Jump: 36”

Broad Jump: 10′ 11”

Short-Shuttle: TBD

Three-Cone: TBD

Bench Reps: TBD

Ideal Role: Outside cornerback

Scheme Fit: Heavy man-to-man, sprinkle of Cover 3

I gotta check out his tape. He may not be as bad as I originally thought.
 

STAN JONES

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Apparently, Voorhees may have suffered an ACL tear during the combine. He's a next year guy. According to his scouting report, he suffers a lot of lower body injuries which means he's probably lacking quick feet. He's been injured quite a bit over his career.
yeah im not mad at them taking a shot on him in the 7th round

1st round talent that was probably gonna go in the 3rd because of injuries before he tore his acl at the combine

they're gonna IR him this year and he'll compete for a starting spot in 2024
 
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