The McShay Show Who’s Rising in Todd’s Updated Top 100 Prospects? Plus: Talking Team Building and Scouting Lamar Jackson With Ravens GM Eric DeCosta.
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Feb 4, 2025 Eric DeCosta, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Baltimore Ravens, is known for his expertise in player recruitment and roster development. In this engaging conversation, he shares insights on the recent Senior Bowl rankings and highlights standout prospects like Texas WR Matthew Golden. DeCosta delves into the behind-the-scenes story of drafting Lamar Jackson, revealing the strategic decisions that shaped the Ravens' offense. He also discusses evolving scouting techniques and the crucial interplay between technology and player evaluations.
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Drafting Lamar Jackson
- Eric DeCosta recounts drafting Lamar Jackson despite Joe Flacco being the Ravens' quarterback.
- Scouts recognized Jackson's unique athleticism and potential, but his different style presented integration challenges.
Secret Recruitment
- DeCosta details the secretive process of recruiting Lamar Jackson, who had no agent, to Baltimore.
- The Ravens valued secrecy and wanted to avoid leaks, so they kept the visit quiet, even denying it to media.
Building Around Lamar
- DeCosta explains the Ravens' strategy of building a team around Jackson's strengths.
- They prioritized offensive line, running backs, tight ends, and receivers, adapting their run-centric offense to incorporate Jackson's passing.