NFL Draft 2019: Baltimore Ravens open to trades that can 'manufacture picks' - PennLive.com

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta never knows what to expect when it comes to the NFL draft and trade opportunities. Some years, the Ravens can’t find teams willing strike deals.

On other occasions, like during last spring’s draft, the phone doesn’t stop ringing.

“It rang too much,” DeCosta joked Tuesday. “We could have made 20 trades. I mean, we could still be trading; the draft could still be going on.”

However things shake out, DeCosta indicated Tuesday he’d listen to a wide range of offers during his first draft as GM with the aim of adding to the Ravens’ collection of picks. Baltimore owns eight selections at the moment, starting with the 22nd overall pick in the first round.

The Ravens also have two thirds (Nos. 85 and 102), two fourths (Nos. 113 and 123), a fifth (No. 160) and two sixths (Nos. 191 and 193).

DeCosta wants more stabs at taking impact players when the draft opens April 25 — and he’s willing to trade back in the first round to get them.

“If there’s a great player there at 22, we’ll make the pick, and we’ll be very, very excited,” DeCosta said. “But one thing we’ve shown over the past years is we know how to manufacture picks. So, if the opportunity is there, we’ll have a chance to trade back and accumulate picks.”

Baltimore has done exactly that at times in recent drafts. The team was especially active last year when it moved back in the first round as it built up a haul that included 12 picks. The Ravens also made a move up the draft board, sending a 2019 second-rounder to the Eagles to get into position to take quarterback Lamar Jackson No. 32 overall.

As the team begins building around Jackson, DeCosta cherishes draft capital, especially this year.

Trust Baltimore Ravens GM Eric DeCosta’s NFL draft comments at your own risk

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta referenced the moniker local media and fans bestowed upon this annual spring event: “The Liars Luncheon.”

DeCosta said he and the front office staff typically meet for five days in February to discuss every player they like in the draft class. But this February, those meetings took up seven days, because the team had more prospects on its list than usual.

“We had a lot more players in this draft that we spent time talking about,” DeCosta said. “So, in this draft, if you can accumulate some additional picks, you have a really good chance to help your team.”

The glaring hole in the Ravens’ list of 2019 draft choices comes early. After trading their second-rounder last spring, Baltimore does not own a pick between the 22nd and 85th overall selections.

DeCosta said the lack of a second-rounder won’t handcuff the Ravens when considering trades, though. Baltimore’s four selections from No. 85 to No. 123 overall give them the ammunition to rise up in the draft order if they desire or the flexibility to slide back.

“Those third-round picks and those fourth-round picks, those are gold for us this year,” DeCosta said. “In this draft, having four picks in those two rounds, that’s an ideal situation.”

Gold is valuable, but in this case, it’s not untouchable.

If the draft-day calls come in — or DeCosta gets the urge to make a few himself — the Ravens say they won’t hesitate to agree on a deal that would alter the complexion of their 2019 class.

“It’s going to be based on the players that are available on the clock and the phone ringing,” DeCosta said, “and just kind of assessing what we can accomplish with pick 22 versus what we can accomplish with all the additional picks that we were to receive.”

-- @AaronKazreports

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