Traditionally, the Ravens have promoted from within. Joe Hortiz is the team’s other national scout.
Vital was with the Ravens for the past three years, and this move reunites him with Falcons general manager Tom Dimitroff, whom he worked with previously in the New England Patriots’ scouting department.
Last year, Vital was awarded the inaugural Fritz Pollard Alliance scouting award as the top African-American scout in the league. In 2006, Vital recommended that Baltimore draft safety Dawan Landry in the fifth round and he tied a club rookie record with five interceptions.
"I’ve known Lionel for a number of years and he is a highly reputable talent evaluator who has worked with the likes of Bill Parcells, Ozzie Newsome, Dick Haley and Bill Belichick," Dimitroff said in a statement. "We are thrilled to have Lionel join our staff."
Ravens assistant director of pro personnel Vince Newsome was also granted permission to interview for the Atlanta job that went to Vital.
A former Washington Redskins running back, Vital worked for the original Cleveland Browns as a scout from 1991 to 1995.
