The Ravens are feeling a lot more like Scrooge McDuck these days – wealthy with an embarrassment of draft riches.
Baltimore has its highest draft pick since 2000, at No. 6 overall. But it doesn't stop there.
The Ravens also have pick No. 36 (they stay near the top of each round throughout) and last year's returning first-round pick Breshad Perriman, who they haven't seen on the game field for a single play.
That has the Ravens feeling like they have three first-round draft picks this year.
The No. 6 pick is the highest draft pick the Ravens have had since No. 5 in 2000. Since Head Coach John Harbaugh arrived in 2008, the Ravens' average original first-round draft position (not including trades) was No. 23.
Obviously, the No. 6 pick is exciting because of the potential it holds. Harbaugh said that feeling outweighs any nervousness about getting it right.
"Absolutely more excitement," Harbaugh said at the Combine.
"You don't want the pick because of what it means. But now that we're in the situation there are players that are available to you that you would never even think about. Over the course of eight years, we've never even thought about these guys that we're talking about right now."
But it's not just the No. 6 pick that has the Ravens pumped this offseason. Even their second-round slot, at No. 36, is quite enticing. It's only 13 picks behind their average first-round slot.
"That pick to us should be a first-round type player," Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta said. "There's no doubt picking 36th that we'll get a guy in the first 30 players in the draft. That's an additional first-round pick. So, essentially, we're getting two first-round picks this year."
Below is a quick look at the No. 36-overall pick since 2008. Nearly half of them (3 of 8) have gone to the Pro Bowl.
- 2015: Jaguars select running back T.J. Yeldon
- 2014: Raiders select quarterback Derek Carr
- 2013: Lions select cornerback Darius Slay
- 2012: Broncos select defensive end Derek Wolfe (one pick after the Ravens drafted outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw)
- 2011: 49ers select quarterback Colin Kaepernick
- 2010: Chiefs select running back Dexter McCluster
- 2009: Browns select wide receiver Brian Robiskie
- 2008: Packers select wide receiver Jordy Nelson
DeCosta said the "quality of the player is going to be significantly different" picking near the top of each round as opposed to near the end of each round in previous years.
Then comes the Ravens' other (already picked) first-round pick. Perriman is almost like a bonus addition to this year's class given that the speedy Central Florida product didn't suit up for a game during his rookie season.
Perriman showed flashes of his great potential during team Organized Team Activities and minicamp before going down with a PCL tear on the first day of training camp. He was making deep plays, showing off solid hands and had the Ravens penciling him in as an immediate starter opposite Steve Smith Sr.
"There's no doubt [he's like another first-round pick]," DeCosta said. "I think Breshad is really going to open eyes this year and show people what he can do. His skillset, the type of kid he is, his ability – we're excited to see him on the field this year."
