The Ravens had a clear strategy for the top of this year's draft: strengthen the middle of the defense.
They added safety Matt Elam, linebacker Arthur Brown and defensive tackle Brandon Williams with their first three picks, all addressing areas of need.
As the Ravens head into Day 3, now it's time to get the offense involved. * *
"We hope to draft an offensive player at some point," Assistant General Manger DeCosta said with a laugh late Friday night. "I think Coach [Jim] Caldwell (Offensive Coordinator) would like that."
The Ravens have seven picks Saturday, and they could use them to go after a handful of positions. Wide receiver, offensive tackle and tight end have all been identified as areas where the Ravens would like to improve.
General Manger Ozzie Newsome also said that the Ravens aren’t opposed to drafting a quarterback, and the Ravens have reportedly shown interest in adding a fullback.
Basically, they could go in any direction.
"We still have a lot of other things: offensive line, receiver, cornerback – you can never have enough cornerbacks – tight end – basically just about every single position," DeCosta said.
Wide receiver seems a likely position the Ravens would target Saturday, as they are looking for someone to step in for the departed Anquan Boldin. Plus, they could still get good value in the middle of the draft, as DeCosta and Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz said that this year's crop of receivers is deep through the first few rounds.
If the Ravens opt to go offensive line, they may look for developmental prospects out of small schools who they could groom into starters. They've done that in recent years with Delaware center Gino Gradkowski (fourth round) Central Florida tackle Jah Reid (third round) and Morehouse College tackle Ramon Harewood (sixth round).
While the late rounds don't garner as much attention as the first two days of the draft, there can still be quality players had and the Ravens have a reputation of drafting well on Day 3. Tight end Dennis Pitta, guard Marshal Yanda and defensive linemen Arthur Jones and Pernell McPhee were all third day picks.
"We lost a lot of good players after the season, and we are just trying to restock and build more depth and have good competition at all positions," DeCosta said. "That's really what this whole thing is about."
