Drew Signs Three-Year Contract

As the Ravens continue their preliminary negotiations with first-round draft pick Michael Oher, tight end Davon Drew became the first draftee to sign his contract.

On Thursday, Drew officially inked a three-year deal.

Drew, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound prospect out of East Carolina joins a team in need of help at the tight end position.

He has looked solid in the Ravens’ offseason minicamps, largely in part to the amount of reps he is getting in practice.

With Baltimore’s top three tight ends – Todd Heap (back), L.J. Smith (groin) and Quinn Sypniewski (knee) – all nursing injuries, that has left Drew to pick up the slack along with Edgar Jones and Isaac Smolko.

Drew converted to tight end from quarterback, where he was originally recruited to play at ECU. Beginning his career in Greenville, N.C., primarily as a blocker, Drew developed into a pass-catching threat. As a senior, he led the Pirates with 695 receiving yards and a 16.2 yards-per-catch average.

Drew’s prodigious athletic gifts have already shown up on the field. He runs good routes and has sure hands over the middle. On Tuesday, Drew even caught a long touchdown pass from quarterback Troy Smith when escaped coverage from free agent safety K.J. Gerard.

The Ravens still have five other draft picks to sign, but don’t have to do so until training camp begins on Tuesday, July 28 if they want to avoid any holdouts.