German FB Christopher Ezeala joins Baltimore Ravens

As part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, the Baltimore Ravens have been assigned fullback Christopher Ezeala from the German Football League.

There will be heavy competition across the depth chart for the Baltimore Ravens heading into training camp.  After adding 12 rookie draft picks and a number of undrafted free agent signings, a 90-man depth chart will eventually be shrunken down to 53 for Week 1 of the regular season.

Yet another player has been added to the mix, this time through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. Fullback Christopher Ezeala has joined the Baltimore Ravens from the German Football League.

Per a press release from the NFL, Ezeala and three other international players join the AFC North after the division was chosen in a random draw. Teams are allowed to carry a 10-man practice squad throughout the season but the Ravens are given an exemption for an 11th spot because of Ezeala’s addition.

The 22-year old was a multifaceted weapon playing for the Ingolstadt Dukes in the German Football League. Ezeala played on both sides of the ball overseas but expects to specialize as a fullback in the NFL.

“My coaches told me that while there are many linebackers like me in the NFL, there is no fullback that is athletic and fast,” said Ezeala. “They’re trying to create a new type of player with me.”

It’s an interesting transition given that fullbacks seem to be a dying breed in the NFL. The Ravens, however, have been one of the lone teams to consistently utilize the position. From Lorenzo Neal, Vonta Leach, Le’Ron McClain, Kyle Juszczyk to Pat Ricard, the run game has been primarily centered around a lead blocker.

The emergence of Alex Collins and Greg Roman’s continued influence as a tight ends coach and offensive assistant means the ground game will be an integral part of the offense again in 2018.

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This is an extremely low-risk, high-reward situation for the Ravens. Ezeala’s size and athleticism provide an intriguing camp body and there’s minimal risk involved. If it pans out, the offense may have found a pure fullback, allowing Ricard to focus primarily on his natural position at defensive tackle.