2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Baltimore Ravens Select...

With the twenty-ninth pick of the 2012 CSC Community Mock Draft, the Baltimore Ravens (chosen by Fan since the Aints) select...

Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The three biggest draft needs for the Ravens are WR, LB, and OL. Any WR pick at this point would be a reach considering who is left. Don'ta Hightower is available in this draft to fill a LB spot and is a good player but OL is a higher need for the Ravens since Da Saints poached Grubbs leaving the Ravens without their best guard. Joe Flacco is a decent quarterback because he has had an awesome line protecting him so any holes must be plugged. Konz is a natural center but is skilled enough to play guard. Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun said that Konz is "a safe pick for the Ravens. He is versatile enough to play guard for a year if necessary while learning his NFL trade from veteran Matt Birk."

Konz has an almost 80" wingspan and is 2" taller than the average NFL center. He is also very smart. Last fall, Konz loaded up and took 18 credits (during the football season) so that he could graduate as a junior. He is leaving Wisconsin early but he will leave with a diploma. Film of Konz shows he is very alert and regularly anticipates defensive moves in time to prevent any advantage. He moves well on his feet and uses his body to seal holes and block lanes. He spent three years as a starter in a pro-style offense and should have little trouble adapting to the NFL. The Ravens rely on the run to move the chains and Konz enables the Ravens to continue that tradition and not rely solely on Flacco's arm.

The knock on Konz is injuries. In 2009 he had a blood clot. He has had ankle issues and was medically excluded from the combine for an ankle injury. But Konz played with a dislocated ankle in the Rose Bowl. He is a tough guy. He is scheduled to work out before the draft and this pick is made assuming his ankle has healed. The Ravens regularly move lineman around before finding the right position for them so it makes sense for them to try Konz out at guard before moving him to center in a couple years. Konz has enough size and power to be a force in the NFL. The Ravens have a need on the offensive line and Konz will fill it well.

Thanks to all the CSC members who participated in this years community mock draft. Without your help, none of this would be possible.

Below are the complete results from our community mock draft.

Catch up with all of the mock draft selections in our 2012 CSC Community Mock Draft Section.