The Baltimore Ravens still need to address the center position, and general manager Eric DeCosta broke down the plan for that position on Day 3.
The Baltimore Ravens had a solid Day 2 of drafting players that addressed some major needs. Missouri edge Zion Young was taken at No. 45 overall in the second round and USC wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane was taken at No. 80 overall in the third round.
The Ravens still have eight picks on Day 3, and have a glaring need at the center position. General manager Eric DeCosta broke down the plan, indicating there are some strong possibilities that the team likes in the fourth to seventh rounds.
Well, you can't make them up, right? I mean, you can't just create a center out of the sky and say, 'Oh, let's take this guy.' So, you know, the board has to fall a certain way. Um we do have some guys we like on the third day that we think are interesting players. Um, couple guys got picked, right? A couple good players," DeCosta said.
The couple of good players that were taken were Iowa's Logan Jones, by the Chicago Bears in the second, and Florida's Jake Slaughter, taken by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second as well.
The good news for the Ravens is there are still some quality centers available, such as Auburn's Connor Lew and Kansas State's Sam Hecht. Baltimore kicks off their Day 3 picks by selecting at No. 115 overall in the fourth round.
Both those players may be there or may be selected. If the Ravens do run into an issue where the top centers are off the board, DeCosta indicated the current roster has some good players that will be in competition for the position.
"Um, but there's more available. Um, we do have centers on the roster. I think we got three centers on the roster right now. So, there is going to be a competition. Hopefully, I think we'll have the chance to get some good players tomorrow. Um, if the center up being the highest rated guy and we're on the clock, then that'll be the pick. If he's not, then that probably won't be the pick," DeCosta said.
Currently, the Ravens have Danny Pinter and Corey Bullock who are the clear-cut center options. Jovaughn Gwyn and Emory Jones could be the third that DeCosta is speaking about.
Baltimore did bring in John Simpson, Gwyn, and Pinter to add far more depth and competition into the line, and consensus top guard Vega Ioane was drafted as well. There is seemingly the makings of a good competiton brewing for the offensive line, but more might clearly be needed.
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter spoke before the draft about potentially bringing in more center competiton during training camp. That might be the case if the front office chooses to skip past the position through the remaining rounds in the draft.
DeCosta and the front office made a huge splash in the first round by taking Ioane, which went a long in proving they will do what they can to protect Lamar Jackson. However, ignoring the center position entirely will be completely counterintuitive to that point.
The exit of Tyler Linderbaum left a big void on the roster, and one that will need to be addressed. Competiton aside, the Ravens should be targeting one of the top remaining centers, even if that means having to move up to secure one.