With the twenty-ninth pick in the 2012 BGN Community Mock Draft, Skulman7 selects...
Peter Konz: C/G, Wisconsin
While I believe the Ravens first two options would be trading up for Dont'a Hightower or in this situation trading out of the first round, for this mock draft, Konz makes a lot of sense. After losing Ben Grubbs to the New Orleans Saints and (thankfully) missing out on Evan Mathis in free agency, the Ravens are currently extremely thin at interior offensive linemen. If losing their Pro-Bowl guard wasn't enough, the Ravens must also factor in that their former All-Pro center Matt Birk is entering the final years of his football career. Peter Konz is a player who not only fills an immediate need, but also has the potential to be a fixture on the Raven's offensive line for years to come.
Regarding Peter Konz, scouts rave about his intelligence, character and potential. "Hell of a football player," the scout said. "Oh, my God, he's a genius on the board. Genius. We put him on the board and he blew it away. Great kid.". While Konz did not blow anyone away with his bench press at the combine, his game tape along with his football IQ have various scouts raving about his ceiling. Bucs GM Mark Dominik coincidentally compared him to Ravens All-Pro center Matt Birk, who Konz would serve as the eventual successor. Konz has the versatility where he can step in right away and start at guard for the Ravens while having the ability to eventually slide over to center once Birk hangs up the purple and black jersey.
More after the jump...
This pick would be a home run for both the Ravens and Konz. The Ravens would get immediate help at guard, while preparing for the future at the center position. Peter Konz, who is an excellent student of the game, would get to learn the position from one of the best centers in the National Football League. Although drafting interior linemen is never the sexy pick, Konz is the total package and can be a mainstay on the Raven's line for the next decade.
Next on the clock will be 21510akland with the San Francisco 49ers.
Previous Picks: #1 Andrew Luck, #2 Robert Griffin III, #3 Morris Claiborne, #4 Trent Richardson, #5 Matt Kalil, #6Justin Blackmon, #7 Melvin Ingram, #8 Ryan Tannehill, #9 Michael Floyd, #10 Dre Kirkpatrick, #11 David DeCastro, #12Courtney Upshaw, #13 Luke Kuechly, #14 Fletcher Cox, #15 Quinton Coples, #16 Mark Barron, #17 Stephon Gilmore, #18 Riley Reiff, #19 Janoris Jenkins, #20 Nick Perry, #21 Kendall Wright, #22 Stephen Hill, #23 Cordy Glenn, #24 Dont'a Hightower, #25 Jonathan Martin, #26 Dontari Poe, #27 Michael Brockers, #28 Devon Still