Baltimore Ravens Draft Grade:

Round 1, #32 – S Matt Elam, Florida – Grade: A

-Elam fills a big need for the Ravens and this is right about where he should have gone in the draft. He has the potential to be a very good safety early on for the Ravens. Teaming him with Huff is also the perfect combo for the Ravens safeties as well.

Round 2, #56 – ILB Arthur Brown, Kansas State – Grade: A

-Brown fills the Ravens biggest need and honestly could have been justified being taken in the first round. Getting him here in the second round makes this a great pick. He should be a day one starter and help start a new era of Ravens football.

Round 3, #94 – DT Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern St. – Grade: B+

-Brandon Williams is a small school guy, but he has a lot of potential. He’s good value for this pick and will help free up Ngata to rush more from the outside.

Round 4, #129 – DE John Simon, Ohio State – Grade: A

-This is a fantastic pick-up for the Ravens as he really could have been taken 50-60 picks higher. He’s a strong edge rusher, with a great work ethic and character. He should help fill in for the loss of Paul Kruger and give the Ravens a 3rd edge rusher.

Round 4, #130 – FB Kyle Juszczyk, Harvard – Grade: C+

-This might be a slight reach for the Ravens, but he gives them some options going forward. With Leach’s contract pretty high and both the Ravens top two TE’s free agents next year, Juszczyk could be asked to fill either role long term. He should help the Ravens on special teams as well.

Round 5, #168 – OT Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin – Grade: B-

-Wagner has fallen in the eyes of many draft analysts, but is good value for this spot. The Ravens have a big need at offensive tackle and Wagner provides that depth.

Round 6, #200 – DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, Notre Dame – Grade: B-

-Lewis-Moore is a really intriguing pick as he probably would have gone higher if he didn’t blow out his knee in the National Championship game. The Ravens can put him on the PUP list or IR, this season and cash in on this pick later.

Round 6, #203 – OT Ryan Jensen, Colorado State-Pueblo – Grade: C

-Jensen sounds like he will move to center where the Ravens have a need, but this is probably a project pick.

Round 7, #238 – WR Aaron Mellette, Elon – Grade: B

-Great value pick for the Ravens he arguably could have gone 75-100 picks higher. He’s a small school receiver with a lot of upside and potential. He fared well at the Senior Bowl against bigger school guys, and could help the Ravens in a year or two as a top 4 receiver.

Round 7, #247 – CB Marc Anthony, Cal – Grade: B-

-Another nice value pick, Anthony could have easily gone higher. He is a solid consistent corner, with some potential to develop.

Overall: A+

-The Ravens did a fantastic job here. They filled most of their big needs with starters and significant contributors and then added nice value picks later at other need spots. The Ravens really know how to run a draft and proved it by the number of quality players they brought in. Baltimore also used their depth to their advantage, trading a pair of late round picks to move up to land Arthur Brown in the 2nd round, and take a player with some upside but who’s injured in the 6th round. This draft class should quickly help the Ravens make a strong case to defend their Super Bowl Title, and some of the later round picks could develop in the future.