Ravens Address Many Needs During Busy 3rd Day Of NFL Draft
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- The Baltimore Ravens hoped to find strength in numbers on the third day of the NFL draft.
After adding a much-needed offensive tackle and two pass rushers in the first three rounds, general manager Ozzie Newsome rapidly filled out the rest of his checklist on Saturday.
Armed with three compensatory picks and two draft choices obtained in trades, Newsome was slated to have eight selections -- including five in the fourth round.
Newsome began the day by taking Temple cornerback Tavon Young with the 104th overall pick. Clemson wide receiver Chris Moore followed with overall pick No. 107, followed by Nebraska tackle Alex Lewis (130), Michigan defensive lineman Willie Henry (132) and Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon (134).
Each fourth-round pick addresses a need for a team that stumbled to a 5-11 finish in 2015.
The Ravens hope Young -- who played high school ball in Maryland -- can contribute immediately as backup. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Young had surgery on his left knee before his final year at Temple, but still ended up with 41 tackles before receiving an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
Moore provides the deep threat that was sorely lacking last season. He had 40 catches for 870 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior.
"I can run past almost everybody," Moore declared Saturday.
The 6-6, 315-pound Lewis played left tackle for the Cornhuskers in 26 straight games in 2014 and 2015. He will compete with top draft pick Ronnie Stanley for a starting job on an offensive line that sorely needs another tackle or two.
Henry and Dixon, meanwhile, add depth.
Several players have enjoyed success in the NFL after being picked in the fourth round by Baltimore, most notably tight end Dennis Pitta (2010), guard Edwin Mulitalo (1999) and Pro Bowl fullback Le'Ron McClain (2007).
Newsome obtained two additional picks Friday night by twice moving back in the second round. He got a fifth-rounder from Jacksonville and a fourth-round selection from Miami.
During the first two days, Newsome bolstered the offensive line by snagging Stanley with the sixth overall pick.
Newsome then attempted to fortify Baltimore's sack potential. He took Boise State linebacker Kamalei Correa in the second round and BYU defensive end Bronson Kaufusi in the third.
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