Baltimore Ravens
The picks: OLB Courtney Upshaw at No. 35, G Kelechi Osemele at No. 60, RBBernard Pierce at No. 84
Summary: The Ravens moved out of the first round but still managed to get a first-round player at No. 35 overall. Upshaw will seal the edge as a 3-4 outside linebacker in this system, and can immediately step in and fill the role vacated by Jarret Johnson, himself a former member of the Crimson Tide. Osemele isn’t a remarkable value by any means, but he can move inside to guard after playing tackle in college, and guard is a big need. The Ravens also could use help at running back to take some heat off Ray Rice. They get pieces like they didn’t skip the first round. Solid day.
4th Round Pick—-Gino Gradkowski—Center Delaware
Gradkowski, the younger brother of Cincinnati Bengalsquarterback Bruce Gradkowski, transferred to Delaware from West Virginia and became one of the top linemen in the Colonial Athletic Association. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Pittsburgh native played both center and guard in his senior season. He said he’s eager to pick the brain of veteran center Matt Birk.
Even with the return of Birk, who signed a three-year contract to remain in Baltimore, the Ravens wanted to draft and develop a long-term replacement at the center position. They passed on more notable center prospects from major programs — among them were Georgia’s Ben Jones, Baylor’s Philip Blake and Michigan’s David Molk — to select Gradkowski.
“He’s a tough kid,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a quick-footed, really athletic center. … We are going to start him off at guard probably and move him in at center as we go and see how it goes.” from the sun
No comments have been posted yet, be the first!
Post a comment by filling out the form below.
