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  4. title => "DeCosta believes fourth round key to Ravens draft"
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  6. article_body => "<p>Assistant general manager Eric Decosta believes the fourth round will be the key to the Ravens\u2019 draft.<\/p>\n<p>The Ravens have four fourth-round draft picks \u2013 104, 130, 132, and 134. That gives them seven picks in the first four rounds. They also have a first-rounder (No. 6), a second-rounder (36) and a third-rounder (70.)<\/p>\n<p>The Ravens are counting on getting players to help them immediately with the first three picks. But the fourth round is where DeCosta says the Ravens can really excel.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe just got to nail them,\u201dDeCosta said. \u201cIf we have a crystal ball, and we look back on this draft five years from now, we\u2019re going to say this draft was either made or broken by the fourth-round picks. We\u2019ve got four fourth-round picks. We got to get some starters in those fourth-round picks. Our challenge will be to get four starters with those picks and nail those guys, because I know we\u2019re going to do that in the first three. But those fourth-rounders \u2026that will be the value of this draft class.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Ravens are happy with their two first-round picks last year \u2013 linebacker Za\u2019Darius Smith and running back Buck Allen. Both contributed as rookies and could be future starters.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some other NFL players who have been fourth-round picks in recent years that have become starters:<\/p>\n<p>2011<\/p>\n<p>K. J. Wright, LB, Seahawks<\/p>\n<p>Julius Thomas, TE \u2013 drafted by Broncos, now with Jaguars<\/p>\n<p>2012<\/p>\n<p>Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins<\/p>\n<p>Travis Benjamin, WR \u2013 drafted by Browns, now with Chargers<\/p>\n<p>Kirk Cousins, QB, Redskins<\/p>\n<p>Lardarius Green, TE \u2013 drafted by Chargers, now with Steelers<\/p>\n<p>Bobbie Massie, G, Bears<\/p>\n<p>2013<\/p>\n<p>Kyle Juszczyk, FB, Ravens<\/p>\n<p>2014<\/p>\n<p>Bashaud Breeland, CB, Redskins<\/p>\n<p>Devonta Freeman, RB, Falcons<\/p>\n<p>The Ravens have four chances in the fourth round to find those types of players.<\/p>\n<p>RELATED:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/blog\/ravens-talk\/decosta-pressure-2nd-round-pick\">DeCosta: Pressure is on for 2nd-round pick<\/a><\/p>\n"
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Ravens

Ravens

Assistant general manager Eric Decosta believes the fourth round will be the key to the Ravens’ draft.

The Ravens have four fourth-round draft picks – 104, 130, 132, and 134. That gives them seven picks in the first four rounds. They also have a first-rounder (No. 6), a second-rounder (36) and a third-rounder (70.)

The Ravens are counting on getting players to help them immediately with the first three picks. But the fourth round is where DeCosta says the Ravens can really excel.

“We just got to nail them,”DeCosta said. “If we have a crystal ball, and we look back on this draft five years from now, we’re going to say this draft was either made or broken by the fourth-round picks. We’ve got four fourth-round picks. We got to get some starters in those fourth-round picks. Our challenge will be to get four starters with those picks and nail those guys, because I know we’re going to do that in the first three. But those fourth-rounders …that will be the value of this draft class.”

The Ravens are happy with their two first-round picks last year – linebacker Za’Darius Smith and running back Buck Allen. Both contributed as rookies and could be future starters.

Here are some other NFL players who have been fourth-round picks in recent years that have become starters:

2011

K. J. Wright, LB, Seahawks

Julius Thomas, TE – drafted by Broncos, now with Jaguars

2012

Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins

Travis Benjamin, WR – drafted by Browns, now with Chargers

Kirk Cousins, QB, Redskins

 

Lardarius Green, TE – drafted by Chargers, now with Steelers

Bobbie Massie, G, Bears

2013

Kyle Juszczyk, FB, Ravens

2014

Bashaud Breeland, CB, Redskins

Devonta Freeman, RB, Falcons

The Ravens have four chances in the fourth round to find those types of players.

RELATED: DeCosta: Pressure is on for 2nd-round pick