The Ravens haven’t taken a true interior offensive lineman in the first three rounds since that 2007 draft. They’ve never drafted a center in the first round, and only took one in the first three rounds (Casey Rabach in 2001).
DeCosta said that’s not because they don’t value drafting centers early, but rather that college supply hasn’t met demand. Typically, there is only one (or zero) centers drafted in the first round each year.
“I think it’s a really important position,” DeCosta said. “That being said, there is always a very small amount of names on the draft board at that position – top guys – every single year.