OWINGS MILLS, Md. — In giving a video tour last week of the Baltimore Ravens’ draft room, general manager Eric DeCosta showed off the digital boards, pointed out where everyone sits and then picked up an oversized stuffed giraffe out of the corner.
His name is Germaine. He was given to DeCosta’s son, Michael, when he was born 14 years ago. And he serves as a reminder.
"We always tell the scouts: Stick your necks out when you’re talking about a player,” DeCosta explained.
Baltimore's 2021 draft class received some of the highest grades from analysts -- nearly a dozen with either A or B-plus -- but the Ravens certainly stuck out their necks for their picks this year.