Perhaps one of if not THE worst kept secrets heading into the 2010 NFL Draft is that the Ravens need to upgrade their passing game. That said don’t be shocked if the Ravens opt NOT to select a receiver or tight end for that matter in Round 1.

Their needs in my opinion go in this order: WR; DE; TE; and CB. The balance is simply a question of building the roster from the bottom up and that means adding quality depth.

I don’t see the team veering away from their draft board. The Ravens’ scouting department spends the better part of a year building that board so why abandon it for need? Now they could skip a player or two on the board to fill a need if the grade on the skipped player(s) is only marginally higher than the need pick.

Nobody asked me but if I had a wish list for the Ravens to achieve their offseason goal to upgrade the passing game it would include: 1) Veteran No. 1 receiver; 2) Derrick Mason; 3) One or two quality collegiate WR’s in Rounds 2-3; 4) A tight end.

It’s hard not to watch Graham in all his Michigan Wolverine regalia and not think of the Steelers’ Lamar Woodley. I think that move has played out pretty well for Pittsburgh so far.

Speaking of Brandons the name Brandon Marshall continues to pop up. The majority of Ravens’ fans seem to want to look past Marshall’s lengthy list of off-the-field transgressions and according to our most recent poll here on Ravens24x7.com, 62% as of this writing believe that Ozzie Newsome should sacrifice a No. 1 draft pick or more to dress the productive receiver in purple and black.

Given Ozzie’s track record with No. 1 picks, fans should keep in mind that more than likely you are exchanging a future Pro Bowl player for a current one. Granted Marshall fills a big need but Ozzie would be short-sighted not to consider the big picture.

The Ravens aren’t delusional and they don’t expect to employee a collection of choir boys. That said one of the dangers in trading for Marshall is not only the opportunity costs of a high end pick or two to get him, John Harbaugh could lose the locker room if Marshall reverts to his malcontent antics. If the Ravens were forced to cater to the diva receiver in an effort to recoup their investment, might that chip away at Harbaugh’s “What’s Our Name?” and “Play Like a Raven” mantras?

However, if the investment is something less than a No. 1, then the Ravens might deal with an acquired Marshall with a more forceful hand to save face and maintain managerial integrity in the locker room.

Besides the risks in acquiring Marshall, as one of the Final Eight in the 2009 post season the Ravens will have to adhere to certain rules prescribed for the best teams entering what appears to be an uncapped 2010 season.

The “Final Eight Plan” limits what the best 8 teams can spend, and when they can spend, on Unrestricted Free Agents (“UFAs”).  The plan unfortunately does not provide much in the way of loopholes (such as a sign and trade) to circumvent the restrictions on UFA’s for the Final Eight. You can read more on the Final Eight Plan here.

Given the difficulties in acquiring Marshall, some have redirected their attention to the more attainable goal of acquiring Chargers’ wide receiver Malcolm Floyd. Floyd is a big-bodied receiver (6’5”, 225 pounds) who has averaged 16.5 yard per catch during his career. The career Charger is coming off his best season as a pro during which he caught 45 balls for 776 yards (17.2 avg.) and 1 TD.

But let’s put an asterisk next to these stats.

Floyd had the luxury of playing in a more prolific offense led by MVP candidate Philip Rivers than he would in Baltimore. Moreover, he wasn’t exactly the top priority of opposing defensive coordinators who were forced to deal with top end pass receiving threats like Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson.

Floyd would be a solid addition but let’s not get too carried away thinking that he could be the answer to that prototypical No. 1 target that has eluded the grasps of Newsome. That said he at least would give the Ravens a different look with that big body and his ability to stretch a defense.

The name Julius Peppers keeps popping up on message boards, during sports talk radio and in local bar room Ravens’ chats as a solution for the team’s pass rushing woes. Ever hear of a “snowball’s chance?”

The 30-year-old Peppers will probably not go to a contending team given his impressive resume as a result of the Final Eight Plan unless one of those teams loses a player of Peppers’ ilk. Besides, the Ravens need to be careful not to overspend for another marquee defensive player. Keep in mind that in 2010 Haloti Ngata will be playing in the final year of his 5 year rookie contract.

And barring a 2011 lockout, the salary cap more than likely will return.

We can only hope so…