When the Ravens make their first-round pick in next weekend's NFL draft, most of the decision will be based on the work done by the scouts and coaches traveling all over the country.
Another factor will be based on the 25-mile drive from the airport to Ravens headquarters.
When the Ravens bring in draft prospects for visits, they give them "van grades" for how they act on the ride - when the players think no one is watching.
But the scouting assistants who shuttle players back and forth certainly are. They take mental notes on everything, from how the players treat them as drivers to how they act while on the cell phone.
"There are a couple of players we avoid every year because of the way they conducted themselves," said Eric DeCosta, the Ravens' director of college scouting. "Everything means something in the end result."
The reason why the Ravens stand above most teams on draft day is because of this type of legwork done by the organization.
Instead of relying on outside resources like a majority of the league, the Ravens make their decisions based on information solely obtained by those within the team.
The Ravens' reports on college prospects are filled with conversations scouts have had with college trainers, observations made by their coaching staff on a player's pro day workout and impressions about character from face-to-face interviews to those unsuspecting trips from the airport.
This system has produced some of the best drafts over the past decade, and it doesn't matter if the Ravens are drafting in the top 10 or bottom 10 (like they're doing this season).
The Ravens have built their reputation by selecting future Hall of Famers in the first round (offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and linebacker Ray Lewis) and an All-Pro player in the sixth round (linebacker Adalius Thomas).
They have consistently drafted Pro Bowl players at the top of the first round (linebackers Peter Boulware and Terrell Suggs and cornerback Chris McAlister) as well as finding elite players at the bottom of it (safety Ed Reed and tight end Todd Heap).
"I put the Ravens at the highest end of the NFL with New England, Philadelphia and San Diego over the last several years," said Mike Mayock, the NFL Network's draft expert. "[Ravens general manager] Ozzie Newsome and his staff have done a terrific job."
