The Ravens organization is stuck in the past.

[wickedsolo]

Juszczyk was a comp pick. No trading that as you know. So was Wagner in round 5 and Jensen in round 6. In fact with Lewis-Moore and Simon, every pick after Williams in round three was an investment towards the future, picking players the team felt had a high ceiling. Let's see how they play out.

I think that is more than likely the case.

Last year's draft was all about the future and not this year. Other than Elam, who was also not likely going to start since they signed Huff and planned on keeping Ihedigbo at SS.

[HotInHere]

Didn't they also take Simon in the 4th? I think he may have been the 4th round comp pick. Either way, neither Juszczyk or Simon have had an impact this year.

You know who else didn't make an impact in their first year? Todd Heap. Mike Flynn. Adalius Thomas. Jeff Mitchell. Jarrett Johnson. Paul Kruger.

Lots of guys don't have an impact in their rookie year. That doesn't mean they were wasted picks. They play some special teams, or spend some time inactive but learning the system. They don't all pan out. But a couple of those guys I listed above went to the Pro Bowl. Let's give it a little time, shall we?

[BcRaven]

... They will need to hit a home run in the 2014 Draft if we want our future to have any hope...

Do not agree. Many draftees take a few years to develop. Considering the Ravens drafted @ #32 in 2013, perhaps defensive players like Elam (S), A. Brown (ILB), and B. Wms (NT) will progress in 2014 or 2015...or Olinemen Wagner (OT) and Jensen (OG/C) will too (?)
It's way to early to give your post line above much weight in December 2013... Bc

[Brien Jackson]

You've got to understand that Ozzie has chosen at/or near the bottom of the NFL draft barrel. Yet, IMO he chooses wisely most of the time. Of course anyone can look at the "misses", but to keep a team competitive for years, Oz has had more "hits." Plus he signed Tucker (2012) and Marlon B. (2013) as UDFAs, so he listens to his scouting staff. Mr. Newsome is the consummate, successful pro GM. If the Ravens ever let him go, there would be multiple teams lined up outside his door... Bc

At the very least, even if Ozzie does have some deficiencies (finding WRs, preferring run blocking d-linemen too much), the track record is pretty clear that he and the FO are so good at talent evaluation that they're still going to give you a roster that's going to win around 9-11 games and contend for the playoffs.

[BcRaven]

... the track record is pretty clear that he [Ozzie] and the FO are so good at talent evaluation that they're still going to give you a roster that's going to win around 9-11 games and contend for the playoffs.

B J, you've hit on a good point...the Ravens always contend for the playoffs. Even in this up-and-down season, we might make it with a win on Sunday. So many teams (Browns, Jaguars, Bucs, Rams, Bills, etc.) rarely are in the hunt come December. We (Ravens fans) are blessed IMO... Bc

[Dirt1]

You know who else didn't make an impact in their first year? Todd Heap. Mike Flynn. Adalius Thomas. Jeff Mitchell. Jarrett Johnson. Paul Kruger.

Lots of guys don't have an impact in their rookie year. That doesn't mean they were wasted picks. They play some special teams, or spend some time inactive but learning the system. They don't all pan out. But a couple of those guys I listed above went to the Pro Bowl. Let's give it a little time, shall we?

The Ravens filled immediate needs on defense, but ignored immediate needs on offense. Having some decent offensive line depth was a much bigger priority than getting a 5th OLB. The Ravens were not decimated by injuries on the OL. They had a grand total of one injury on the OL this year. Having an OL play as poorly as they have this season with just one injury screams as to the lack of overall talent and depth on the OL. What is the difference between Simon's profile and that of Upshaw? They are basically the same type of player. I love Ozzie, but the lack of emphasis with regard to getting offensive weapons (Alshon Jeffery, Keenan Allen) and OL talent in favor of continuing to stockpile players for the defense is getting old.