NFL Draft News: Ravens, Chargers, Seahawks, Texans

Here’s a look at some of draft buzz that’s coming out of the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

Baltimore Ravens

In an interview with Mike Duffy of the Ravens’ website, ESPN’s Todd McShay discusses the possibility that the Ravens could trade down and still get a solid wide receiver in the upcoming draft.

“They typically do a good job of finding the best player at one of three, four positions where they feel they have a need,” McShay said Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine.  “I don’t think there are many teams that do a better job targeting those guys and knowing when to maybe move up slightly or bail out if the board’s not going the way you planned or hoped.”

McShay mentions Maryland receiver Torrey Smith as a possible target for them as he is projected to be a second-round pick.

“When you start to look at wide receiver, I’d love to see them with one guy that can stretch the field and take the top off the defense,” says McShay.

Speed is one of the attributes that their receiver lacked in 2010 and could help their offense become more productive next season.

San Diego Chargers

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune discusses some of the potential targets for the Chargers in the draft and the possibility that they could trade up.

One possible trade that Acee mentions would be for the Chargers to send their No. 18 and No. 50 picks to the Minnesota Vikings in return for the No. 12 pick which would allow them take Wisconsin’s DE J.J. Watt or California’s DE Cameron Jordan.

Rebuilding the teams defense front should be one of the teams top priorities in the draft and both players could really upgrade their pass rush in the years to come.

Seattle Seahawks

In an interview with Eric Williams of the Tacoma News-Tribune, Seahawks GM John Schneider mentioned that he thinks G Max Unger could changing positions.

“Ideally his spot I think probably will end up being center,” said Schneider.

If that ends up being the case, there is a good chance that they could cut first-round pick Chris Spencer and target a guard in the draft.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper projected the Seahawks taking Florida guard Mike Pouncey in the first round.

Houston Texans

Since newly hired defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has already mentioned his plans of running a 3-4 defensive scheme in Houston, it makes sense that the draft will used to fill some of the teams defense holes.

Texans general manager Rick Smith commented on the idea by saying that, “When you switch systems, you’re looking for different types of players.” “The thing that’s probably the easiest to say is we’ve opened ourselves up to potential options that were not there before, some guys that may not be the great defensive ends, but have some pass-rushing ability that fit in a 3-4 that don’t necessarily fit in a 4-3. We have to get in the room and educate our scouts about what we’re looking for.”

Houston figures to target an outside linebacker and defensive tackle in the draft in attempt to shore up their front seven. The team will also have to make some decisions regarding their secondary as well considering that it’s the teams biggest weak spot.

Other random notes:

Here’s some of the top quarterback’s measurements from the Combine Weigh-in

Cam Newton: 6-foot-5 – 248lb – 9 7/8-inch hands

Blaine Gabbert: 6-foot-4 3/8 inches – 234 – 10-inch hands

Ryan Mallett: 6-foot-6 3/4 – 253 – 10 3/4-inch hands