NFL Draft 2013: Baltimore Ravens Will Draft Manti Te’o If He Slides in First Round

NFL Draft guru Mike Mayock is quickly making a name for himself among the Mel Kiper’s of the world. But part of playing with the big boys means coming up with bold predictions and Mayock has one regarding the draft status of Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o. Despite the rumors of being a hoaxer and the hilariously embarrassing saga he was involved in with Lennay Kekua and being catfished, Te’o is quickly distancing himself from the story which means his draft status as a first rounder might be getting restored.

We could see a run on interior linebackers late in the first round with New York, Chicago, Cincinnati and Baltimore all needing upgrades at the position. Alec Ogletree’s DUI is going to benefit these teams, specifically the Chicago Bears who will be thrilled if he falls to them at 20th overall. Baltimore would be even more thrilled if he is on the board at the end of the first round but according to Mayock if Ogletree is gone, Manti Te’o is going to cause a flurry of activity at the end of the first day.

Mayock says that if Te’o is on the board at the end of the first round, the Ravens will sprint to the podium with his name on their card.

Obviously, the guy the Ravens want is Alec Ogletree who before his DUI arrest was a lock for the top 20 of the draft. If the Bears choose to pass on him, the Bengals are the next likely team to select him. After that the only team that will take a linebacker is the Baltimore Ravens and with Ray Lewis retiring, the dream scenario is being able to choose between Ogletree and Te’o.

There’s a pretty good chance one of the two will be available at the end of the first round the only question at this point is who.