After winning Super Bowl XLVII, the Baltimore Ravens had a dismal 2013 season. During their title defense, Baltimore barely managed an 8-8 record, conceding the AFC North to the Cincinnati Bengals and missing the playoffs entirely. The Ravens discovered that they were plenty of holes that needed to be filled, beyond the loss of legendary linebacker and team leader Ray Lewis to retirement.
The Ravens had plenty of opportunities to fill these holes in the 2014 draft, ultimately selecting 9 players. While the Ravens have primarily been known as a defensive powerhouse throughout their history, they were able to navigate the draft with a balanced approach, walking away with additions to both sides of the football. Here is a breakdown of the team's picks.
Round 1 (Pick 17) C.J. Mosley - LB - Alabama
"He's such a solid football player. There are some concerns about his shoulder, but he was medically cleared by just about every team. He's a plug-and-play linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He pursues sideline to sideline. He improved on getting off blocks this year. This is a typical Baltimore Ravens solid football player; a solid pick." -- Mike Mayock
Grade: B
Round 2 (Pick 48) Timmy Jernigan - DT - Florida State
http://youtu.be/2BIqIsyy7hg
"The Ravens stay true to their board. His size is a three-technique, but he plays better as a nose tackle. The Ravens just got more stout inside." -- Mike Mayock
Grade: B+
Round 3 (Pick 79) Terrence Brooks - FS - Florida State
"Terrific pick right here. Brooks can run from the free safety position. He can blitz. He can play the center-field spot for you." -- Charles Davis
Grade: B+
Round 3 (Pick 99) Crockett Gillmore - TE - Colorado State
"This is one of the players on my Better-Than team. He was a late add at the Senior Bowl and impressed. Tight ends are big in Gary Kubiak's offense." -- Derek Stephens
Grade: B+
Round 4 (Pick 134) Brent Urban - DT - Virginia
http://youtu.be/upqib9L7F9E
"Urban's intriguing combination of size and athleticism make him a potentially very exciting pick for the Ravens here in the late fourth. You can put him on the outside as a five technique, or rotate him inside as a pass-rushing DT, considering his natural burst and length. Big upside here." -- Derek Stephens
Grade: B+
Round 4 (Pick 138) Lorenzo Taliaferro - RB - Coastal Carolina
http://youtu.be/Tq8xCfgsM0U
"Taliaferro is a patient, one-cut runner who may lack natural burst to be a starter at the NFL level, but has the chance to be a productive short-yardage contributor relatively quickly." -- Derek Stephens
Grade: C+
Round 5 (Pick 175) John Urschel - G - Penn State
"(At Penn State's pro day) Urschel had a good positional workout, moving good in the on-field drills, showing strength and that he is a knee-bender." -- Gil Brandt
Grade: B+
Round 6 (Pick 194) Keith Wenning - QB - Ball State
http://youtu.be/_39cZoM2WPo
"Tough, smart QB with strong intangibles, but average arm strength, and athleticism. Doesn't locate accurately with consistency, but his work ethic and commitment to the game should get him a chance as a number three QB out of the gate with potential to be a number two in the future." -- Derek Stephens
Grade: B
Round 7 (Pick 218) Mike Campanero - WR - Wake Forest
"A nice slot receiver. The one thing you always hear about slot receivers is that they run routes well. Well, he needs to learn to run routes better." -- Charles Davis
Grade: B+