Ravens Bolster Defense in 2014 Draft

The Baltimore Ravens used the 2014 National Football League (NFL) Draft to bolster their defense.  They stuck to their tried and true method of drafting the best player available instead of taking players based on need.

With their first pick, 17^th overall, the Ravens selected inside linebacker, C.J. Mosley, Alabama. The 6’2, 235 pound linebacker was a two-time captain at Alabama. Mosley played on the defense who won back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome had high praise for Mosley:

“We know we got better as a football team because of the way C.J. plays,” Newsome said. “I really know we got better as an organization because of the person that he is.”

The only question mark is Mosley’s health. He suffered a few injuries at Alabama; dislocations of his hip and elbow and a knee injury. He assured the Ravens he is healthy and ready to play:

“I’m 100 percent healthy, no red flags coming through the combine and through all the visits,” Mosley said. “The knee checked out and I’m still good. I have a lot of mileage on my body, but I’m ready to go, and my past injuries won’t affect my play.”

With the 48^th overall selection, the Ravens drafted defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan, Florida State. The 6’2, 300 pound tackle had 63 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season. He helped Florida State win the national championship.

Jernigan is excited to play in Baltimore:

“I’m glad the Baltimore Ravens drafted me, to be able to play on a great defense. The Ravens definitely play with a swagger. They play football the way I play football. I feel like I’m the perfect match. I’m definitely going to bring another edge to the defense.”

With the 79^th overall selection, the Ravens drafted free safety Terrence Brooks, Florida State. The 5’11, 200 pound safety is versatile as he can also play free safety like he did in college. He is fast, he ran the 40 in 4.42 seconds at Florida State.

Brooks played with Jernigan on the national championship team last season and he is excited to join him in Baltimore:

“It’s kind of crazy,” Brooks said. “The whole time, I was just like, if I could take one guy with me, it would be Timmy. I just know we do damage together. We did it at Florida State and we can do it anywhere.”

With the 99^th overall selection, the Ravens drafted tight end Crockett Gillman, Colorado State. The 6’6 260 pound tight end caught 47 passes for 577 yards and two touchdowns last year.

Gillman could help in the running or passing game and is an ideal fit for offensive coordinator’s Gary Kubiak’s game plan of using multiple tight end sets.

Newsome believes he will help the Ravens passing game:

“He has the size and he does have some speed,” General Manager Ozzie Newsome said. “But the thing we like about him is his ability to play at the point of attack and also to be viable in the passing game.”