Ravens Sign Draft Trio to Rookie Deals
With the start of the 2023 NFL season fast approaching, the Baltimore Ravens appears to be gearing up for a season to remember.
In addition to the return of franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens added prolific pair of prolific wideouts to their offense in the forms of free agent Odell Beckham, Jr. and first-round draft selection Zay Flowers.
However, their trio of late-round picks were the first to be officially added to the fold in Charm City.
The Ravens revealed on Thursday that cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, offensive tackle Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and offensive guard Andrew Vorhees have signed their rookie contracts. Though financial details have yet to be released, each deal is subject to payment based on the round in which the player was drafted.
Baltimore selected Kelly with the No. 157 overall pick in the fifth round. The ex-Stanford cornerback appeared in 37 games over his four-year collegiate career. Kelly logged 147 tackles, 23 passes defensed and three interceptions. During his last two years at Standford, he was named Second-team All-Pac 12. The 21-year-old son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Brian Kelly is expected to add both speed and athleticism to the Ravens secondary.
Aumavae-Laulu was the Ravens choice in the sixth round at No. 199. The former Ducks' offensive tackle made started 29 games including all 14 games as a senior. At 6-5, 332 pounds, he possesses an intriguing frame with decent arm length and mobility. However, inconsistency in his hand usage in pass protection will likely make him no more than a rotational reserve option at right guard.
Vorhees was originally projected as an early-to-mid round prospect at guard in the early scouting stages of Draft season. However, his suffering an ACL tear at the NFL Scouting Combine caused him to slip to the Ravens at No. 229 in the seventh-round. Still, Vorhees suited up for 44 games as a USC Trojan, making 37 starts while being named an All-American in 2022.
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