Ravens draft Navy QB Reynolds in sixth round

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens addressed several needs in the NFL draft before making an emotional selection that brought tears to owner Steve Bisciotti.

Keenan Reynolds, a record-setting quarterback at Navy, was taken by Baltimore on Saturday in the sixth round with the 182nd overall pick.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Reynolds ran the triple option with the Midshipmen. He scored a Football Bowl Subdivision record 88 touchdowns, but will seek to make his mark in the NFL as a wide receiver and punt returner.

“That’s what I’ve been working on,” Reynolds said. “I just think my best area is being in (open) space with the football.”

The Ravens didn’t need to have Reynolds. Getting him, however, provided an unforgettable moment of joy to him and those in the team draft room.

General manager Ozzie Newsome usually speaks 1-on-1 with the draftee, but in this case the call was put on speakerphone.

“So everyone in the room could be part of telling him,” Newsome said. “It was a special moment.”

Ravens senior vice president Kevin Byrne said, “There were people in the room who had tears in their eyes.”

At which point coach John Harbaugh interjected: “Including one who owns the team.”

Before hanging up, Reynolds told the group: “You won’t regret this pick.”

The Naval Academy is based in Annapolis, Maryland, less than an hour away from the Ravens training complex. Reynolds hopes that will enable him to delay fulfilling his military obligation to Navy.

“I honestly think that being in the area is going to help my cause,” he said.

After adding a much-needed offensive tackle and two pass rushers in the first three rounds, Newsome rapidly filled out the rest of his checklist on Saturday.

Newsome drafted 11 players overall, eight on the final day.

“Right now the Baltimore Ravens are a much better football team,” Newsome said. “We feel good about the collection of talent we have.”

Newsome was looking for depth, and maybe a starter or two, for a team that stumbled to a 5-11 finish in 2015.

He launched the fourth round by taking Temple cornerback Tavon Young with the 104th overall pick. Clemson wide receiver Chris Moore was secured at 107, followed by Nebraska tackle Alex Lewis (130), Michigan defensive lineman Willie Henry (132) and Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon (134).

Dixon ran for a school record 4,480 yards and 72 touchdowns, and also caught 88 passes for 972 yards and 15 touchdowns. He finished second in NCAA FBS history for touchdowns scored (87) behind Reynolds.

The Ravens hope Young — who played high school ball in Maryland — can contribute immediately as backup. The 5-10, 180-pounder had surgery on his left knee before his final year at Temple, but still ended up with 41 tackles before receiving an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

Moore provides the deep threat that was sorely lacking last season. He had 40 catches for 870 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior.

“If you want a guy who is going to go deep and make those big plays, I’m the guy,” Moore declared.

The 6-6, 315-pound Lewis played left tackle for the Cornhuskers in 26 straight games in 2014 and 2015. He will compete with top draft pick Ronnie Stanley for a starting job on an offensive line that lost standout guard/tackle Kelechi Osemele to free agency.

Several players have enjoyed success in the NFL after being picked in the fourth round by Baltimore, most notably tight end Dennis Pitta (2010), guard Edwin Mulitalo (1999) and Pro Bowl fullback Le’Ron McClain (2007).

Outside linebacker Matt Judon of Grand Valley State was taken in the fifth round. After choosing Reynolds, Newsome concluded his busy day by selecting Virginia cornerback Maurice Canady with the 209th overall pick.

On the first day of the draft, Newsome bolstered the offensive line by snagging Stanley with the sixth overall pick.

Newsome then attempted to fortify Baltimore’s sack potential on Friday, taking Boise State linebacker Kamalei Correa in the second round and BYU defensive end Bronson Kaufusi in the third.