If there's one thing Ravens fans know by now, it's that Baltimore's drafts aren't flashy...but they are effective. The Ravens came into the 2014 draft looking to add depth at running back, pick up another backup quarterback, fortify the offensive line and strengthen the defensive backfield.
Nevertheless, general manager Ozzie Newsome, while still mindful of the team's needs, is known for taking the best player available if they fit when the Ravens are on the clock. After the final pick was made Saturday evening, it seems that the Ravens did a mixture of the two: filling their needs, and taking the best player available.
Round 1 (17th overall): C.J. Mosley (Inside Linebacker, Alabama)
Round 2 (48th overall): Timmy Jernigan (Defensive Tackle, Florida State)
Round 3 (79th overall): Terrence Brooks (Safety, Florida State)
Round 3 (99th overall): Crockett Gilmore (Tight End, Colorado State)
Round 4 (134th overall): Brent Urban (Defensive Tackle, Virginia)
Round 4 (138th overall): Lorenzo Taliaferro (Running Back, Coastal Carolina
Round 5 (175th overall): John Urschel (Guard, Penn State)
Round 6 (194th overall): Keith Wenning (Quarterback, Ball State)
Round 7 (218th overall): Michael Campanaro (Wide Receiver, Wake Forest)
The Ravens got off to a great start in the draft Thursday with the selection of C.J. Mosley. While he's wasn't a name getting too much press leading up to the draft, he was a stud of a linebacker at Alabama.
With other possible Baltimore targets already off the board, like North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Notre Dame offensive tackle Zack Martin, there seemed three likely options on the board for Baltimore: Mosley, and a pair of safeties, Ha Ha Clinton Dix (Alabama) and Calvin Pryor (Louisville).
The Ravens made a great choice in Mosley, as he can step in next to veteran Daryl Smith and fill the void at inside linebacker left by the departing Jameel McClain (now with the New York Giants).
I can't lie, there was a small part of me hoping the Ravens would draft Johnny Manziel during his fall in the first round. My irrational desire aside, Mosley was definitely the right pick for Baltimore.
The Ravens continued their strong start in the draft by adding Timmy Jernigan, a first-round graded defensive tackle in the second round. Many believe that the former Florida State Seminole would've indeed been drafted in the first round Thursday if not for a reported failed drug test.
A problem like that can't just be overlooked, and is a considerable red flag. Nevertheless, Jernigan has tremendous NFL potential, and he will now be part of a headstrong locker room in Baltimore that can help Jernigan become a professional and hold him accountable.
The Ravens then snagged a third-round safety to play next to Matt Elam, Terrence Brooks, and Crockett Gilmore, a fourth-round tight end to develop behind Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels. Both picks made sense, and fit nicely with Baltimore's goals on the night. After that, though, Baltimore made a few selections that leave me asking questions.
It felt like the team could've addressed another need in the fourth round instead of adding another defensive tackle just two rounds after adding Jernigan; especially with a defensive front seven that's already one of the most well-equipped in the league.
Because of that, the Ravens may have missed out on a chance to add a better running back to mix with Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce, or a more pro-ready backup quarterback to compete with Tyrod Taylor.
With all that being said, though, it's very difficult to project how these draft picks will fare; especially the later selections that people haven't seen very much of.
So I'll trust Ozzie Newsome. He's never let Baltimore fans down with a failed draft. The picks that mean the most - the players taken in the early rounds who are ready to play now - should definitely make the team better.
No, the Ravens didn't make any sexy picks. They never do, though, and this team is still one of the deepest and most competitive, year after year.
Overall Grade: B
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