From Priest Holmes to Bart Scott to Maake Kemoeatu, the Ravens have always prided themselves on finding the best undrafted college players.
But this year, the challenge seemed even steeper than before.
Signing the top undrafted players became more difficult because other teams were spending more money because of the increased salary cap and the Ravens had fewer opportunities to sell.
"It seemed like everyone [on the Ravens] was fighting the fight this year," said Joe Hortiz, a national scout for the team.
When the Ravens begin their rookie minicamp today, the scouting department can still envision some from this year's undrafted college class making the final cut.
The Ravens are intrigued with Southern California offensive tackle Kyle Williams, Central Michigan wide receiver Damien Linson, Penn State safety Donnie Johnson, Mississippi State defensive lineman Andrew Powell and Notre Dame tight end Marcus Freeman.
This is a solid crop of players considering the Ravens have only a few spots available on the roster.
How many receivers would want to sign with the Ravens when they have Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams? How many cornerbacks would want to come here when the Ravens bring back eight of them from last year? And how many offensive and defensive linemen would think about the Ravens when other teams were spending more than they have in the past?
Coordinated by area scouts Joe Douglas and Jeremiah Washburn, the process of signing - and recruiting - these undrafted college players really starts on the second day of the draft. In between picks, the Ravens' scouts are calling players and agents about their interest in signing them after the draft.
Once the draft is over, the scouts continue to make calls and will even get the coaches involved to talk to the players about what their roles would be. It'll take three or four hours after the draft has wrapped up before the Ravens know which undrafted players they have signed.
Eventually, the Ravens hope they can find a player like they did last year with Ronnie Prude, an undrafted cornerback who went on to make two interceptions and score a touchdown.
"It's so rapid-fire," Hortiz said. "You're selling them on the Ravens and the opportunities. You just got to pound it out. The agents are out there shopping to get the most for their clients. Some will look at opportunity over money."
