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Full Steam Ahead

Joe Hortiz, Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta, and John Harbaugh at a table in the Ravens press room.
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The Ravens’ goal in this year’s NFL Draft is to “fix” their team, according to assistant general manager Eric DeCosta.

A three-year playoff drought and some disenchantment among the local fanbase has added pressure to the process.

DeCosta, general manager Ozzie Newsome, coach John Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz, director of college scouting, provided some insight into their strategy Wedneday at the annual pre-draft press conference in Owings Mills. In addition to the media, a contingent of Ravens PSL holders attended the gathering and were allowed to ask questions.

The Ravens reaffirmed they will not deviate from their long-term strategy of taking the best player available, regardless of position. That said, the goal is to add players that can make an immediate impact and help compete for an AFC North title this season.

Still, the Ravens were not about to tip their hand regarding their draft board.  

“You may be surprised on who we pick at 16 if we pick at 16,” Newsome said.

The biggest news of the day was the signing of former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III as a potential backup to Joe Flacco. The one-year deal obviously won’t create much excitement among the fans, but Griffin does provide experience without causing too much damage to the salary cap.

Griffin was the second overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Washington Redskins. After throwing 20 touchdown passes and five interceptions in his rookie season, injuries derailed Griffin’s career. He last played in 2016 for the Cleveland Browns, starting five games. Griffin was behind center the last time the Browns won a game, a 20-16 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Dec. 24, 2016.

“We’re excited about him,” Harbaugh said about signing RG3. “We felt like we needed a number two QB. I’m really feeling like we got a steal. I felt like he really wanted to be a Raven.”

The move likely means the end of Ryan Mallett’s career in Baltimore. In addition, the Ravens have not ruled out selecting a quarterback in this year’s draft.

The top five quarterbacks available, according to ESPN’s Todd McShay, are:

1. Sam Darnold (USC)

2. Josh Allen (Wyoming)

3. Josh Rosen (UCLA)

4. Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma)

5. Lamar Jackson (Louisville)

Despite the deep class, Newsome said the team has not put any extra emphasis on evaluating quarterbacks, compared to previous years. The team has not gone away from its overall strategy of putting equal emphasis on every position.  

None of the Ravens’ brass shied away from the importance of this year’s draft. It’s absolutely critical for Newsome and DeCosta to select the best players for the long-term success of the team.

However, the immediate goal is to end the postseason drought, hence the emphasis on finding players that can make an immediate impact.

Newsome accepted full responsibility for the team’s recent woes. He acknowledged that a couple of poor drafts have played a key role in those failures.

“I need to take all the blame,” he said. “It falls right on me. We have to do a better job of bringing in players.”

As a result, Newsome was not overly sentimental about this being his last draft as the general manager. His goals have not changed and the focus is on building a winning team.

DeCosta was also not interested in discussing his eventual role as the GM.  

“That’s in the future,” he said. “The best thing I can do is focus on today.”

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