For the third year in a row, the Ravens will have nothing to show for their sixth-round pick because of the Browns. In 2004, the Browns plucked QB Josh Harris off of the Ravens practice squad. Last year, the Browns claimed QB Derek Anderson off of waivers before the Ravens could put him on their practice squad.
Now, the Browns get the Ravens’ sixth-rounder by way of a peculiar and extremely surprising trade, one sure to generate immense discussion. It’s clear that Phil Savage disagreed with a great many Browns fans who wanted mammoth Oregon DT Haloti Ngata. Instead, he was content to let his former employer and the Browns’ dreaded division foe take the premiere defensive tackle in the draft.
The Browns preferred to beef up their pass rush in the form of Florida State DE Kamerion Wimbley, who will be groomed for an OLB spot. I definitely trust Savage’s judgement, and I like what I’ve heard about Wimbley’s speed and character. But I would have been very happy with Ngata. It’s great to get a top-ranked pass rusher, but to me it’s more fundamental to stop the run to force the opponent into those passing situations. (The Browns also passed on another lineman, Broderick Bunkley, who was promptly snatched up by the Eagles.)
I’m a little concerned about Ngata going to, of all places, Baltimore, where he will help keep blockers off of Ray Lewis. And while I’m glad to get something for nothing if we weren’t going to pick him anyway (which of course will be what we hear from Phil), strictly in terms of the draft value chart, the Browns came out 30 points behind.
My hope and expectation is that the Browns, now with extra picks in the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds, and also with a few veterans to dangle, manage to turn another trade, exchanging quantity for quality, to move up some time today or early on Sunday in order to address more of their urgent needs.
