Any consideration of the Ravens’ draft needs must be done with the idea that Baltimore, given its history, may not be locked into using the No. 17 overall pick in Round One.
Throughout G.M. Ozzie Newsome’s time overseeing the draft, the Ravens have shown a willingness to move up or down in the first round. Here are the club’s Round One transactions since 1996:
1999: Acquired a 2000 first-round pick (tailback Jamal Lewis) from Falcons for a 1999 second-round pick (tight end Reggie Kelly).
2003: Traded back into Round One (No. 19) for quarterback Kyle Boller, sending Patriots their 2004 No. 1 pick (nose tackle Vince Wilfork, No. 21) and their 2003 second-round pick (No. 41). The 41st pick ended up with Houston, which took tight end Bennie Joppru.
(UPDATE: As commenter “Remember Brian Brohm” pointed out, the Ravens had a potential deal to trade up for Minnesota’s No. 7 pick that didn’t go through. Ultimately, the Vikings took Kevin Williams at No. 9, with Baltimore taking Terrell Suggs at No. 10.)
2006: Traded the Nos. 13 and 181 picks to Cleveland for the No. 12 overall pick. The Ravens selected defensive tackle Haloti Ngata with the 12th pick. The Browns took outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley at No. 13 and defensive tackle Babatunde Oshinowo at No. 181.
2008: Traded the No. 8 pick to Jacksonville for picks Nos. 26, 71, 89 and 125. The Jaguars selected Derrick Harvey with the No. 8 pick. The Ravens drafted linebacker Tavares Gooden at No. 71. The No. 125 pick was traded to Oakland for cornerback Fabian Washington.
Later in Round One, the Ravens would trade selections Nos. 26, 89 and 173 to the Texans for the No. 18 overall pick. The Ravens selected quarterback Joe Flacco at No. 18. The Texans took offensive tackle Duane Brown 26th, running back Steve Slaton 89th and safety Dominique Barber with the 173rd pick.
2009: The Ravens traded the Nos. 26 and 162 selections to New England for the No. 23 overall pick. At No. 23, the Ravens took offensive tackle Michael Oher. The Patriots would trade the 26th and 162nd selections to Green Bay. With those picks, the Packers took outside linebacker Clay Matthews and offensive lineman Jamon Meredith.
2010: Baltimore dealt the No. 25 overall pick to Denver for selections Nos. 43, 70 and 114. The Ravens took linebacker Sergio Kindle 43rd, tight end Ed Dickson 70th and tight end Dennis Pitta 114th. The Broncos took quarterback Tim Tebow with the No. 25 pick.
2011: A Draft Day deal with Chicago to move down from No. 26 to No. 29 fell through. Time expired on the Ravens’ No. 26 pick. At No. 27, the Ravens selected cornerback Jimmy Smith, one selection after the Chiefs took wideout Jonathan Baldwin. At No. 29, the Bears took offensive lineman Gabe Carimi.
2012: The Vikings traded the Nos. 35 and 98 picks to the Ravens for Baltimore’s first-rounder (No. 29). The Vikings selected safety Harrison Smith with the 29th pick. The Ravens took outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw 35th and center Gino Gradkowski 98th.
Now, we turn to you. Should the Ravens hold steady at No. 17, or should they move up or down in Round One? The Ravens have only four tradeable draft picks (Nos. 17, 48, 79 and 194), which could make a bold up the board difficult. However, time and again, the Ravens have shown they can work with clubs to strike a deal. Give us your take via the poll and share your thoughts in the comments.
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