OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After using their first four selections on defensive players, the Ravens finally addressed their offense with the selection of Harvard fullback Kyle Juszczyk with the 130th overall pick of the draft.
A two-time All-American and three-time all-Ivy League selection, Juszczyk carried the ball only three times in his collegiate career but caught 125 passes for 1,576 yards and 22 touchdowns over his four years with Harvard. He is expected to serve in more of an H-back capacity while lining up as a fullback and tight end.
“I don’t think I’m that traditional old-school fullback that’s going to run ‘isos’ all day,” Juszczyk said in a conference call. “I feel that is something that I can be effective at, but I think there are other ways I can be used.”
Juszczyk visited with the Ravens and told reporters he had a strong feeling that he’d wind up in Baltimore.
His addition will create more speculation that Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach is on his way out of Baltimore despite having one year remaining on his contract. The 31-year-old Leach carries a $4.33 million cap number in 2013 and his release would save $3 million in space, but the Ravens had just under $4 million in cap space entering the draft, meaning they have no need to release Leach unless another opportunity to acquire a veteran wide receiver or offensive tackle would arise.
For now, Juszczyk is looking forward to learning from the fullback many regard as the NFL’s best.
“I couldn’t ask for a better mentor,” he said. “I feel like he’s been the best fullback in the league for a while now. I’m really looking forward to learning from him and getting to work with him.”
According to the Ravens, Juszczyk’s last name is pronounced “yooz-check,” but you can expect that one to be butchered for years to come.
