The Ravens decided that they needed to get younger on the offensive line in this draft.  So they added Yanda in the 3rd round.  Yanda stands at 6′3″ and he weighs 311 pounds so he has the size to handle either tackle or guard in the Pros and he played both positions at Iowa.  Yanda is a much better run blocker than a pass blocker but it seems like the Ravens coaching staff will be able to coach him up on pass blocking.  Yanda played in 25 games at Iowa and he started them all.  Look for him to back up inside at guard for the Ravens this season, but he will be a starter in the future and was a real nice addition to the Ravens in the 3rd round.

With all of the problems B.J. Sams is having with injuries and off the field conduct the Ravens felt that it would be smart to draft a return man and Figurs is a pretty darn good one.  He’s a little small at 5′11″, 175 pounds but he’s lightning fast as he runs a 4.4 40 yard dash.  Figurs returned 21 kickoffs at Kansas State for 499 yards (23.8 avg) with 1 TD return.  He also returned 48 punts for 553 yards (11.5 avg) with 2 TD returns.  Figurs is more than a return man as he’s also a fantastic gunner on the kickoff and punt teams.  Figurs also can probably help out the Ravens as a #4 or #5 receiver in the offense.  Yet another solid pick by GM Ozzie Newsome.

This was just a depth signing as Darling hasn’t done much in his career so far.  He only played in 1 game for the Ravens last season and he didn’t do anything.  In 3 seasons, Darling has played in 14 games for the Ravens and he’s only caught 2 passes for 5 yards.  The Ravens would be better off if they don’t need Darling at all this season.

The Ravens offensive line is getting old.  With that in mind the Ravens drafted the best offensive lineman available at their pick in the first round and that was Ben Grubbs out of Auburn.  Grubbs is a big guy at 6′3″, 315 pounds and he can play.  He’s fast enough to pull on sweeps and hit a moving target at the 2nd level of the defense.  He’s also a solid pass blocker as he has good feet.  Grubbs will likely slide right into the starting lineup from day #1 for the Ravens.  He started his last 38 games at Auburn.  This was a good pick by Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens.

The Ravens have re-signed LB Mike Smith, LS Matt Katula and OT Mike Kracalik.  The most important player in this group is long snapper Matt Katula.  Katula has snapped the ball in all 32 of the Ravens games in his first two years in the league and he also has 10 special teams tackles.  Mike Smith played in 8 games last season for the Ravens and he only made 3 tackles.  He’ll be around for depth and special teams duties.  OT Mike Kracalik only played in 1 game last season (his rookie year) but the Ravens like his size at 6′8″, 337 pounds.