OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After taking defensive players with their first four picks of the 2017 NFL draft, the Ravens have finally taken steps to address their offense on the final day.
Making his first addition to that side of the ball since signing veteran running back Danny Woodhead at the start of free agency on March 10, general manager Ozzie Newsome selected San Diego State guard Nico Siragusa with the 122nd overall pick on Saturday. Though no relation to former Ravens defensive tackle Tony Siragusa, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound offensive lineman brought size and power to the Aztecs to pave the way for running back Donnel Pumphrey to set a new FBS record for career rushing yards.
Baltimore selected Texas A&M offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor in the fifth round.
Siragusa was a three-year starter at left guard for San Diego State, playing in 54 career games and making 42 starts. He was a two-time first-team all-Mountain West pick as well as a third-team All-American selection by the Associated Press. His ability as a run blocker would appear to be a good fit with the Ravens’ stated intent of wanting to improve their running game this season.
With two openings along the Baltimore offensive line, it remains to be seen whether Siragusa will remain at guard or potentially try working at center, which is one of the Ravens’ biggest needs following the trade of veteran Jeremy Zuttah. Siragusa told reporters that he’s never played center beyond intramural football, but he would be open to the challenge of a new position.
This marks the second straight year in which the Ravens have selected an offensive lineman in the fourth round. Alex Lewis was the 130th overall pick in the 2016 draft and started eight games as a rookie.
Eluemunor is an interesting prospect after living in England until age 14 and only beginning to play football in high school. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound lineman started four games at right guard and seven games at right tackle for the Aggies last season and saw action in 13 games as a junior in 2015.
The Ravens told their raw fifth-round pick that he will compete at right tackle, the spot vacated by veteran Rick Wagner after he signed with the Detroit Lions last month.
Of course, Eluemunor expressed excitement about the Ravens playing their first ever game in London this fall when they face Jacksonville at Wembley Stadium on Sept. 24.
