Before we get to the links, let me first tell you what to expect this weekend on baltimoresun.com.

Here on Moving the Chains, I'll be writing a running blog during the entire first round, watching the draft on TV like most of you. And no Mel Kiper hair jokes. I promise.

Meanwhile, Sun reporters will be filing updates on Ravens news throughout the day, including Ravens Central blog reports from The Castle.

Don't forget to check out our draft prospects photo gallery and our new Ravens draft database where you can search past Ravens draft picks using different parameters. A good way to kill time at work on a Friday afternoon.

Now on to the links:

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was on the Mike Tirico Show on ESPN Radio and had a couple interesting things to say about the draft. Note: To listen to the interview online, you have to be an Insider subscriber. When asked about the team's biggest need, Harbaugh said: "Well the number one thing probably is quarterback, but we’ve got needs everywhere."

Harbaugh was then asked if he'd be willing to start a rookie at quarterback this season. Here's what he said:

I think so, you know if you look at the history, it’s better that those guys take some time to develop, you know, you really rather have those guys ideally watch for two years and start in their third year, that’s what the studies say. That’s what the percentages say give those guys the best odds to be successful. By the same token, you don’t always have that luxury, and if our guy is the best guy, you know, even in day one if he is the best guy and gives us the best chance to win in the first week, he’s the guy who’s gonna be out there.

SI.com's Don Banks has the Ravens ending up with Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie with the No. 8 pick:

The Ravens would have been thrilled with either McFadden or Ryan falling to them, but it's not Ozzie Newsome's MO to take a gamble on trading up with the No. 6 Jets to get the Boston College quarterback. The Ravens believe Cromartie could be special, and will even turn into a hitter once he's in the huddle with Ray Lewis. The Ravens will try and maneuver to get their quarterback (Chad Henne?) later in the first round.

Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com has the Ravens taking Boise State offensive tackle Ryan Clady:

Quarterback's certainly a need in Baltimore as the Kyle Boller/Troy Smith duo likely isn't winning any Super Bowls in the near future. That said, No. 8 overall is simply too high for the No. 2 quarterback on the board, Louisville's Brian Brohm. Look for Baltimore to beef up their aging offensive line with Clady at No. 8 and address the quarterback position in the second round.

Schrager has the Ravens picking up Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco in the second round:

The Kaiser Soze of the 2008 NFL Draft. Everyone's favorite quarterback they know absolutely nothing about goes to Baltimore at No. 38.

Schrager projects rounds three through seven as well. Here's who he has the Ravens ending up with:

Coastal Carolina wide receiver Jerome Simpson (third round, No. 99); Kent State cornerback Jack Williams (fourth round, No. 106); LSU linebacker Ali Highsmith (fourth round, No. 133); Bentley guard Mackenzy Berdaneau (sixth round, No. 173); TCU safety David Roach (sixth round, No. 206); Morgan State running back Chad Simpson (seventh round, No. 215); Ole Miss running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (seventh round, No. 240).

ESPN.com's James Walker explores the Ravens' options at quarterback:

If the Ravens had their druthers, that quarterback would be Boston College's Matt Ryan and with the No. 8 overall pick. But there is a good chance that scenario won't happen Saturday. So Baltimore will explore trading into the top five, perhaps with the Atlanta Falcons at No. 3, or fill another need and wait until the second round for quarterbacks such as Louisville's Brian Brohm or Delaware's Joe Flacco. Any of these signal-callers would have a chance to compete with Kyle Boller for the starting job next season.

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. has Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan slipping to the Ravens in his most recent mock draft.

SI.com's Dr. Z has the Ravens picking USC linebacker Keith Rivers:

Do you fortify an already powerful defense with the most gifted, nifty-footed linebacker on the board, or try to trade up for Matt Ryan -- or hope the BC quarterback falls to you at No. 8? If Dorsey is still there, he'd be too good to pass up as well.

Charley Casserly has the Ravens taking Clady in a CBSSports.com mock draft:

They wanted Matt Ryan. In this scenario they will try to move back. If they stay they will stick with their board and take the best player.

Scout.com's final mock draft has the Ravens taking Virginia offensive lineman Branden Albert:

The Ravens missed out on the opportunity to select Matt Ryan and will look to add a QB in the second round. The secondary is a concern with Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle in their 30s, and the offensive line could use a versatile player who can play multiple positions. Upgrading the offensive line is a priority, and Virginia's Branden Albert is the pick.

The Sporting News does a seven-round mock draft. They have the Ravens taking Ryan with their first pick:

The Ravens could take Matt Ryan despite signaling they would jump on Vanderbilt OT Chris Williams if he were still available.

Here are their other projected picks:

Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib (second round, No. 38); Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes (third round, No. 99); Tulane running back Matt Forte (fourth round, No. 106); Bowling Green center Kory Lichtensteiger (fourth round, No. 133); Middle Tennessee offensive tackle Franklin Dunbar (sixth round, No. 173); Maryland running back Keon Lattimore (sixth round, No. 206); Vanderbilt linebacker Jonathan Goff (seventh round, No. 215); Arizona State running back Ryan Torain (seventh round, No. 240);

Scouts, Inc. examines how every team has fared in the draft's first round since 2000. Here's what they say about the Ravens:

WR Travis Taylor certainly did not work out as planned and QB Kyle Boller seems destined to head down that same path, but overall, this is fine work by the Ravens. There is serious star power here. Baltimore is excellent at staying true to its objectives and taking the best player on the board and not reaching because of need. The Ravens also haven't drifted from the major collegiate conferences when making their first-round selections, which has allowed them to draft more NFL-ready prospects. 

Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com ranks all teams based on draft performance over the past five years, and the Ravens come in at No. 11:

Newsome deserves praise for constructing rosters that won Super Bowl XXXV and posted winning records in four of the past seven seasons. Eight of Newsome's nine first-round picks between 1996 and 2003 have reached the Pro Bowl, including five projected 2008 starters. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (2006) has the best shot among Baltimore's recent first-rounders.