mark barron

In an interview last week, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti may have foreshadowed the team's draft plans. He clearly wants to help the defense.

Three key matchups in the Ravens' game against the St. Louis Rams Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

The Steelers hired Todd Haley to improve their offense and protect Ben Roethlisberger, and right up until Mark Barron¿s stumbling act Sunday in St. Louis, he had done a good job of that.

Nick Perry, a safety, and Trey DePriest, an inside linebacker, are products of the University of Alabama, the alma mater of Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome and a frequent source of Ravens defensive talent. They play positions where undrafted players frequently stick on the Ravens roster.

All the talk is on how the Baltimore Ravens need to add cornerbacks, but they are badly in need of quality safeties, too.

The NFL deadline expired with no trades for the Ravens despite exploratory discussions with teams, including conversations about Denver Broncos cornerback Tony Carter, according to sources.

The Ravens officially ruled out veteran defensive linemen Chris Canty and Christo Bilukidi for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium.

It was a significant moment for the River Hill graduate.

Jeff Zrebiec breaks down what to look for when the Ravens play the Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome broke his silence about middle linebacker Rolando McClain, commenting for the first time since the former Alabama star recently retired for the second time in the past year.

The Ravens have a handful of needs. Most are not pressing. They have yet to address the offensive line this offseason and will be forced to do it in the draft. Even with the emergence of Torrey Smith a year ago, they are looking for another game-changer at wide receiver. Terrell Suggs lacks a true sidekick. And then there is the annual question about whether this is the year they need to prepare for life after Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. In my fifth and final first-round mock draft, I give you a semi-educated guess at whom the Ravens will select with the 29th pick. Is it still Wisconsin center Peter Konz? Read on to find out.

Every weekday until tomorrow, the day before the first round of the NFL draft, The Sun will examine where the Ravens stand at each position, the likelihood that they will address that spot early in the draft and some of the prospects that they may consider. Today is defensive backs.

The 2012 NFL draft is now just over a week away. Free agency has died down, and teams are shifting their focus to the draft to round out their rosters. The Ravens are no exception. Their primary needs are still the same as they were entering the offseason: offensive line help, a pass rusher and a receiver. This mock draft -- the fourth of five I will do before the draft -- doesn't account for trades. And remember, these are called "mock" drafts for a reason. Try not to take them too seriously, folks.

With a long list of needs, upcoming draft will be crucial to Baltimore Ravens. Team standing by its philosophy to pick the top player instead of reaching to fill holes.

The 2012 NFL draft is three weeks away, and though most teams have solidified their draft boards barring a few tweaks after prospects visit, the "silly season" of draft rumors is really starting to heat up. Need an example? How about the rumblings that the Colts are undecided about the first pick? But hey, I love mock drafts as much as you do, so allow me to contribute to the silly season with my third mock draft of the offseason.

As the clock ticks down to the 2012 NFL draft -- Round 1 is on the night of April 29 -- let's take a look at which draft prospects the Ravens are being linked to in recent mock drafts from national analysts.

As we head into Week Four of free agency, it's probably a good time to point out that the Ravens are currently just $1.75 million under the salary cap, which is probably right around the amount of money that they're going to need to pay their draft picks.

The Ravens lost former Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski to the Indianapolis Colts in free agency. Could they replace him with another Golden Domer?

After a wild first week in free agency that was punctuated with Peyton Manning signing with the Denver Broncos, we have a better idea of what needs teams will address in April's NFL draft. So now seems like a good time for our second mock draft of the offseason. (This mock draft does not account for potential trades.) And remember, these are called "mock" drafts for a reason. Try not to take them too seriously.

This year's NFL scouting combine begins Wednesday, unofficially marking the start of draft speculation season. Before the prospects are poked and prodded, though, staff writer Matt Vensel has taken his first crack at predicting the first round of April's NFL draft.

The NFL scouting combine starts Feb. 22. In advance of the annual meat market in Indianapolis, staff writer Matt Vensel will examine each position and give Ravens fans the 4-1-1. In this post he looks at safeties, which include Mark Barron, Harrison Smith, Markelle Martin and Brandon Taylor.