NFL Draft 2018: Ravens Pick South Carolina Tight End As 1st Pick

BALTIMORE, MD — The Baltimore Ravens began Thursday’s NFL draft at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the last draft for general manager Ozzie Newsome, by selecting Hayden Hurst, a tight end from Souther Carolina. The pundits on FOX said Hurst will fortify the Ravens' running game.

Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson was the team's 32nd overall pick of the draft.

Hurst was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2012 Major League Draft as a pitcher and spent two years at rookie ball in the Gulf Coast League before trying to get back to football. Hurst walked on for the Gamecocks in the summer of 2015, playing in 12 games as a receiver and tight end, and making eight catches for 106 yards. In 2016 he started all 13 games at tight end and set school records for receptions (48) and yards (616), NFL.coms ays.

Hurst was the first sophomore in USC history to be a team captain. A year later he earned first-team All-SEC recognition by catching 44 passes for 559 yards and two touchdowns. Hurst had Tommy John surgery as an eighth-grader.

As the time to pick drew close to make a selection, the team sent its 16th and 154th (fifth-rounder) to the Buffalo Bills for their 22nd and 65th (third-rounder). But that wasn't all. Baltimore next sent its No. 22 and 215 (sixth round) picks to Tennessee in exchange for No. 25 and 125 (fourth round).

The Ravens finished 9-7 last season and have a lot more needs than picks. Quarterback Joe Flacco was far less effective last season than in year’s past, and the Ravens will be looking to add a possession tight end and a wide receiver to help him out.

Below is the full order of selections for the Ravens.

The NFL released the 2018 football schedules last week, revealing the Ravens will kick off the season at home against the Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9. The schedule also has Baltimore slated for two prime-time slots this season.

The first prime-time appearance comes in week two. The Ravens will travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals at 8:20 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16.

The draft was opening with one of the deepest quarterback classes in years, which is good news for the Cleveland Browns, who pick No. 1 overall and have had disaster after disaster “leading” their team to disappointing season after disappointing season. That left the only mystery which quarterback they would choose.

Available:

• Sam Darnold, USC. 6-foot-3 3/8, 221 pounds.
• Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma. 6-0 3/4, 216 pounds.
• Josh Allen, Wyoming. 6-4 7/8, 237 pounds.
• Lamar Jackson, Louisville. 6-2 1/4, 216 pounds.
• Josh Rosen, UCLA. 6-4, 226 pounds.

The Browns also hold the No. 4 pick, leaving open the possibility they would eye a one-two offensive punch of their QB pick teamed with Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, considered by most the No. 1 backfield prospect.

A number of defensive standouts were on the top-picks list, too, which left teams jockeying to see who might land that game-changing pass rusher or shut-down defensive back.

After Thursday’s first round, the draft resumes Friday for rounds 2-3, and then again at noon on Saturday.

Here’s Sports Illustrated’s rundown of top overall players available on the board:

1. SAQUON BARKLEY, RB, PENN STATE

2. SAM DARNOLD, QB, USC

3. BRADLEY CHUBB, EDGE, NORTH CAROLINA STATE

4. QUENTON NELSON, G, NOTRE DAME

5. JOSH ALLEN, QB, WYOMING

6. MINKAH FITZPATRICK, S, ALABAMA

7. BAKER MAYFIELD, QB, OKLAHOMA

8. JOSH ROSEN, QB, UCLA

9. DENZEL WARD, CB, OHIO STATE

10. ROQUAN SMITH, STACK LB, GEORGIA

PHOTO: A general view of the stadium as 69,473 fans watch the Baltimore Ravens take on the Cleveland Browns on September 14, 2003 at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Jamal Lewis set an NFL record for rushing yards with 295 in a game as the Ravens defeated the Browns 33-13. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)