OWINGS MILLS, Md. — It’s one of the most important events on the National Football League calendar: the draft.
This year, maybe more than others, there is a greater emphasis for the Ravens to add quality young players to their remolded roster.
They have several needs, including at wide receiver, interior offensive line and linebacker.
For the first time Eric DeCosta will be the man making the final call on selecting the players. DeCosta has been with the organization since its inception. He came up as a scout and has worked his way up to general manager. This is his first draft as Ravens GM. He took over for Ozzie Newsome.
As far as his new role, he doesn’t see much changing from previous years.
“It doesn’t really feel any different honestly," he said. "We’ve always worked extremely well together as a scouting and coaching staff. It’s just never really been one person’s decision. It’s always been, I think a unique process, where we allow everybody the chance to speak about the players.”
“I think, in the end though, it’ll be Eric’s call,” said Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh. “That’s good. I think Eric’s had a huge impact on the draft up until now. He’s been a big part of it.”
The Ravens only hold one pick over the first 84 overall selections. They traded away this year’s second-round pick during last year’s draft to move up and select quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The following are the Ravens 2019 Draft Choices:
First round: 22nd overall
Third round: 85th overall
Third round (compensatory): 102nd overall
Fourth round (from Denver): 113th overall
Fourth round: 123rd overall
Fifth round: 160th overall
Sixth round (from Tennessee): 191st overall
Sixth round: 193rd overall
The draft gets underway on Thursday, April 25. All three days of the draft will be broadcast live on WMAR.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
