The potentially flawed assumption here is that Matt Elam will still be on the board if the Ravens don't trade up to get him…
It's unlikely for Ozzie to reach for present and future need at the safety position…but Elam makes it tempting.
Matt Elam, strong safety, 5-10, 208, Florida….
Dustin Hockensmith has a nice write-up on Elam today at PennLive.com….
There's no real "replacing" the kind of dynamic ability in the secondary that the Ravens have lost with the departures of Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard, but the Ravens are in the market for a young, able-bodied safety to do his best. The Ravens signed Michael Huff to replace Reed at free safety, but could use some new blood at strong safety.
"Elam has a different game than Reed with highlight-reel hits being his calling card while at Florida. He has a nose for the football and makes the kinds of plays that can turn momentum in tight games. Elam doesn't just mix it up in the running game, he appears to relish laying big hits."— Dustin Hockensmith
Elam's game closer resembles Pollard's than Reed's. He's more likely to change a game with a physical play than by floating deep in the secondary.
A former top recruit and a three-year starter at Florida, Elam has played much bigger than his 5-10, 208-pound frame. He recorded 76 tackles, 11 TFLs and four interceptions as a junior and led the Gators with 11 tackles and a sack in the Sugar Bowl.
The Ravens are also looking for a linebacker and wide receiver in the first round, but Elam could very well be the best player on their board at pick No. 32.
NFL draft pundits are starting to rally around that logic, including ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., who has Elam going to the Ravens in his latest mock draft.
Other popular draft targets include: linebackers Kevin Minter, Alec Ogletree and Manti Te'o, safety John Cyprien and wide receiver Quinton Patton.
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