The Ravens have made their final pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.
General Manager Ozzie Newsome selected Virginia Tech DB Chuck Clark in the sixth round with the No. 186 overall pick. Taking Clark bookends Baltimore's draft with a pair of defensive backs, as they selected Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey in the first round.
"He's a very instinctive player," Ravens Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz said about Clark. "He's aggressive as a blitzer, he's physical, he's a good form tackler. Just watching him, he always seems to be around the ball and in the right position to make plays."
Clark, 6-foot-0 and 208 pounds, was a three-year starter at safety for Virginia Tech. He was a reliable player over that stretch, and last season he* *had 94 tackles and a pair of pass breakups. He was also a respected player in the locker room, as he was a two-year captain for the Hokies.
Clark will give the Ravens depth in their defensive backfield, and he will likely have to earn his initial role on special teams. Newsome said the Ravens "know he will be able to contribute on special teams," and Clark is embracing that challenge from the start.
"I feel like special teams for any player, whether you're a freshman or a rookie, that's how you get going and get your name started," Clark said. "When I first got to Virginia Tech, that's basically how I got my name out of the mud, just playing on special teams."
Coming into the weekend, Clark said he expected to go somewhere between the fourth and sixth rounds. Clark will join a deep secondary that includes veteran safeties Eric Weddle, Tony Jefferson, Lardarius Webb and Anthony Levine, and he's eager to learn from that group.
"I feel like they have some great leaders already there," Clark said. "I'm trying to come in there and learn as much as I can from those older guys who have established themselves, and when I can, make plays when I get out there."
