NFL Mock Draft 2012: ASU Linebacker Vontaze Burfict Could Go To Ravens In First Round

Read More: Ray Lewis (LB - BAL), Terrell Suggs (LB - BAL), Vontaze Burfict (LB - Arizona St.), Ed Dickson (TE - BAL), Dennis Pitta (TE - BAL), Torrey Smith (WR - BAL), Baltimore Ravens, Arizona St. Sun Devils

The Arizona St. Sun Devils had a lackluster season and their players are not figuring to make too large of an impact on the 2012 NFL Draft. They do have one player who is drawing a lot of attention, however. Many analysts are predicting a Sun Devils defender could be selected in the first round of this year's draft.

In the latest mock draft over at Draft Tek, Eugene Stasak suggests that Sun Devils linebacker Vontaze Burfict would be a good fit for the Baltimore Ravens. Stasak predicts that the Ravens would select Burfict in the first round, as the No. 29 overall pick. Here is his take:

A team like Baltimore has very few needs and are so close to the Super Bowl that adding one or two players could really make the difference. Figuring out exactly which piece to add is the key. Perhaps simply getting Torrey Smith, Ed Dickson, and Dennis Pitta one more year will give them the offensive firepower to take that side of the ball over the hump. Perhaps getting a pass rusher opposite DPOY Terrell Suggs is the missing piece. GM Ozzie Newsome loves to maneuver on draft day and he's also a best player available proponent so predicting their selections is typically tough. That being said, Burfict seems like the perfect fit in terms of scheme and need. Burfict is a violent middle linebacker with great size and athleticism that will remind Ravens fans of a young Ray Lewis. Burfict is a great blitzer and he could be an instant contributor as a rotational linebacker and would be the long-term replacement for the Ravens legend.

The idea of anything making the Ravens even more formidable on defense is hard to comprehend, but if they are indeed looking to beef up their pass rush, Burfict might be the best option available by the time the Ravens make their first-round pick.

For all news and information regarding the Arizona State Sun Devils, please visit House of Sparky. For updates and perspective on the Baltimore Ravens, check out Baltimore Beatdown. For complete coverage of the 2012 NFL Draft, head on over to Mocking the Draft.

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