The Ravens went into the second round of the NFL Draft with a list of five coveted players.
Their next three picks left only two of those names.
On Thursday night, fans were buzzing – perhaps even frustrated – when Baltimore sent its 25th-overall selection to the Denver Broncos for their 43rd, 70th and 114th picks as other teams added marquee talent in the first-round.
But with outside linebacker Sergio Kindle, defensive tackle Terrence Cody and tight end Ed Dickson joining the purple and black, the Ravens believe they were wise to wait.
"Not only did we get the players that we liked, but we filled some needs," said General Manager **Ozzie Newsome**. "To be able to rush the passer, that's what Sergio can do for us. To be able to stop the run, that's what Cody can do. And right now, we only have two tight ends on the roster, so to be able to get Ed Dickson is another need.
"I think we brought in some young men that will be bringing something to Baltimore."
The prime-time scheduling of this year's draft allowed for some second-day evaluating for all teams, and the Ravens used every minute.
Newsome said all coaches and scouts met after the first round to restack the board, and spent much of Friday looking at additional film before the second began at 6 p.m.
With a goal of sticking to his five-prospect list, Newsome was able to do just that while ignoring opportunities to trade back and collect even more choices.
"We had very little motivation to move up, but we did have some conversations with teams," noted Newsome. "We felt like the way we stacked the board, we were going to get a good player. There were a number of calls that came in, and I think that one of the assets of having the additional time was that people made the call just in case."
Both Kindle and Cody could be immediate impact players.
Most draft analysts projected them to be tabbed in the first round, but Kindle fell because of a questionable knee injury and the 349-pound Cody slid largely because of his weight.
Newsome expressed his utmost confidence that neither issue would be a concern.
"We think they're starting-caliber players in this league," said Director of Player Personnel **Eric DeCosta**. "Had they been drafted in the first round, we just would have pulled the card down and said, 'That figures.' We're surprised we got them in the second round, honestly."
Meanwhile, the speedy and sure-handed Dickson brings another weapon to the Ravens' burgeoning passing attack.
The rookie trio represents a solid, albeit delayed, start to Baltimore's draft. With four picks in rounds four through six – beginning Saturday at 10 a.m. – the Ravens are simply happy to finally get their draft underway.
"We got guys that we wouldn't want to play against," said DeCosta. "They all have a dominant trait in some respect… To get a linebacker that can really rush the passer, a very explosive guy. We've had a lot of success with those massive run-stuffers, and Terrence Cody is that guy. And, one thing we learned this year playing against teams with really good tight ends, they pose big matchup problems for your defense.
"It's exciting, and hopefully the scouts and coaches are excited."
