Baltimore Ravens 2008 Draft

[Hostile]

1st Round pick #8... Traded to Jacksonville for picks

• TRADE: The Baltimore Ravens have traded again. Spurned in their pursuit of Matt Ryan with the eighth pick, the Ravens have moved into the 18th spot previously occupied by the Houston Texans. ... Delaware QB Joe Flacco is on TV smiling with his ear to a cellphone.


• Pick No. 18: Baltimore Ravens select Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware

Pro analysis: With Steve McNair riding into the sunset, the Ravens have their QB of the future now in Flacco, perhaps the QB prospect with the most upside in this draft. He certainly has the biggest arm. But does this signal a shift in philosophy or expectations for the Ravens? Don't expect Flacco to start quickly; GM Ozzie Newsome admitted that Kyle Boller was thrown into the fire too quickly as a rookie. But if the Ravens have to wait for Flacco to develop, will the offense be productive enough to support a proud defense full of aging veterans? Ray Lewis may not have enough time left in his career to wait for Flacco to round into form.

College analysis: There weren't many college football fans that had the name Joe Flacco on their toungue during the 2007 season. But the Delaware quarterback was taken ahead of more heralded prospects like Brian Brohm, Chad Henne and John David Booty. Whether the Ravens made the right choice will play out over the next few years. Flacco will need lots of time to develop. Not only will he be making a huge jump in competition, but he also must learn the intracacies of footwork and taking the snap from center in the NFL after running mostly out of the shotgun with the Blue Hens.


55... Ray Rice RB Rutgers

71... Tavares Gooden LB Miami

86... Tom Zbikowski Saftey ND


99... Oneal Cousins OL UTEP

106... Marcus Smith WR New Mexico

133... David Hale OT Weber State

142...Forfeited due to selection of Jared Gaither in 2007 Supplemental Draft

206... Haruki Nakamura S Cincinnati

215... Justin Harper WR Virginia Tech

240... Allen Patrick RB Oklahoma