2014 Baltimore Ravens Draft Picks
C.J. Mosley: 1st round, 17th overall, ILB, Alabama
Timmy Jernigan: 2nd round, 48th overall, DT, Florida State
Terrence Brooks: 3rd round, 79th overall, S, Florida State
Crockett Gillmore: 3rd round, 99th overall, TE, Colorado State
Brent Urban: 4th round, 134th overall, DE, Virginia
Lorenzo Taliaferro: 4th round, 138th overall, RB, Coastal Carolina
John Urschel: 5th round, 175th overall, C, Penn State
Keith Wenning: 6th round, 194th overall, QB, Ball State
Mike Campanaro: 7th Round, 218th overall, WR, Wake Forest
Ravens Draft Grade: 7 of 10
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Ravens Draft Review
The Baltimore Ravens did not address a glaring need by drafting Alabama inside linebacker C.J. Mosley; however, he was a top ten talent and should upgrade the Ravens defense for years. Second round pick of defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan was another top twenty talent that could be an immediate starter in 2014. Ravens stayed defensive by drafting athletic safety Terrence Brooks in the third round. Ravens finally addressed an area of need and will now pair a Florida State Seminole with a Florida Gator in their backfield.
The Ravens went offensive with their second third round pick in tight end project Crockett Gillmore. With tight ends Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels on their roster, this pick seems to be a reach. In a similar vein, the fourth round picks of defensive end Brent Urban and running back Lorenzo Taliaferro seemed more like reaches than properly addressing Ravens need for cornerback and offensive tackle help. True, if Ray Rice was suspended for any length of time Taliaferro may be pressed into service earlier rather than later.
The Ravens addressed offensive line needs by choosing versatile center John Urschel in fifth round. Sixth round pick of quarterback Keith Wenning was clearly designed to have a solid young backup to Joe Flacco. The seventh round choice of wide receiver Michael Campanaro may be a steal. The Ravens traded their 2015 sixth round pick to get Campanaro who was slated to be drafted earlier.
Ravens did not do much to help at cornerback, offensive line or wide receiver. But, they clearly employed a best player available strategy that may pay off in the long run. Baltimore may have also added three and maybe four starters if Ray Rice is suspended.
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