Ebony Bird
FanSided

Exploring Ozzie Newsome’s Declining Draft Results

By Chris Schisler

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Sep 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Courtney Upshaw (91) is called for roughing the passer on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Courtney Upshaw (91) is called for roughing the passer on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

The Ravens 2012 Draft Results

  • Round 2: Courtney Upshaw, OLB (Alabama) 35th Overall Pick
  • Round 2: Kelechi Osemele, OG (Iowa State) 60th Overall Pick
  • Round 3: Bernard Pierce, RB (Temple) 84th Overall Pick
  • Round 4: Gino Gradkowski, C (Delaware) 98th Overall Pick
  • Round 4: Christian Thompson, DB (South Carolina State) 130th Overall Pick
  • Round 5: Asa Jackson, DB (Cal Poly) 169th Overall Pick
  • Round 6: Tommy Streeter, WR (Miami) 198th Overall Pick
  • Round 7: DeAngelo Tyson, DT (Georgia) 236th Overall Pick 

This draft has a lot of disappointment, but the first two picks weigh the heaviest. Trading back into the second round instead of drafting a first round pick, is never a sexy move. Courtney Upshaw wasn’t great, but he did set the edge and was pivotal to the run defense. Kelechi Osemele replaced Ben Grubbs seamlessly at left guard. Now the Raiders have made him the highest paid guard in NFL history.

The Ravens had possibly the least sexy draft of all time, but they got two important pieces of the puzzle. The myriad of horrible drafting after round two cannot be overlooked. This may not be a great draft, but the impact of Upshaw and Osemele means it was not a horrible draft either.

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