OWINGS MILLS — Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee will wear the No. 23 this fall after being acquired in a trade from the Buffalo Bills.
The Ravens traded a third-round draft pick, No. 92 overall, and a seventh-round pick in this year’s draft along with next year’s third-round selection in exchange for the former University of Miami star. The Ravens signed McGahee to a contract with a maximum value of $40.12 million.
Currently, Baltimore has just four draft picks, including the No. 29 overall pick of the first round, a second-round pick (No. 61), a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round pick. The team’s fourth-round pick was traded to the Tennessee Titans last year in exchange for quarterback Steve McNair.
The Ravens are expecting to receive four compensatory selections, including a potential third-rounder, at next week’s NFL owners meetings in Phoenix.
The compensatory picks would be awarded for free agent losses from last year that includes running back Chester Taylor, nose guard Maake Kemoeatu, defensive end Tony Weaver and punter Dave Zastudil. Taylor may garner the highest compensation based on a secretive NFL formula weighted heavily toward playing time, production and salary.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times in Westminster, Maryland.
