3 Takeaways from the Baltimore Ravens' 2012 NFL Draft

The Baltimore Ravens approached the 2012 NFL Draft as a way to build depth, and that was a wise strategy. Via free agency, the team lost a number of their reserve defensive backs, who served primarily as special teams contributors.

A number of players from the defensive side of the ball decided to go elsewhere before Baltimore could offer new contracts, as well as one highly important member of their offense—guard Ben Grubbs. So the Ravens had some clear needs on who to spend their nine picks on, and they were for the most part successful in doing so.

Here are the three biggest takeaways from the Ravens' showing in last week's draft.

Backing Up Ray Rice Proved a Bigger Priority Than Finding Another WR

The Baltimore Ravens chose to trade out of the first round of the draft entirely, when they could have had their pick of a number of players that seemed to be good fits—for example, wide receiver Stephen Hill.

While the trade allowed the Ravens to pick up an impactful linebacker, Courtney Upshaw, who they most certainly needed, it did seem a bit odd that the team waited until the sixth round to select a receiver.

However, the Ravens chose to address another area of their offense far earlier, taking Temple running back Bernard Pierce in the third round.

This wasn't a wasted pick—the Ravens didn't have a true No. 2 back behind their star starter Ray Rice, which put them in a highly vulnerable situation.

Rice is easily the most productive member of the Ravens' offense, but even the most durable-seeming starting backs can befall injury, and without someone capable of picking up that slack, the team would find itself in some serious trouble.

Pierce is similar to Rice in many ways, but he does have durability issues—he was a serious workhorse for Temple. But, should Rice have to miss time for any reason (including a contract holdout), at least the Ravens know they won't have a serious talent drop-off between their No. 1 and No. 2 backs.

That sixth-round receiver they took, Miami's Tommy Streeter, could have a chance to take the field regularly for the Ravens this year, but I am more impressed with the undrafted free agent they added later, Slippery Rock's Devin Goda.

If Goda pans out (as well as Streeter), then the Ravens will look like geniuses for addressing running back before receiver in this year's draft.

The Ravens Had the Exact Draft They Needed

Every area the Ravens needed to address received attention in the draft—they landed a new linebacker, Courtney Upshaw, who could immediately replace Jarret Johnson, they got an offensive guard who is clearly going to replace Ben Grubbs (Kelechi Osemele) and added a few players who can work in specialist roles in the secondary. They also added to their kick and punt coverage teams (safety Christian Thompson, cornerback Asa Jackson).

With this being a depth-based draft, the Ravens couldn't build out their roster just with their nine picks, which is why they brought on a staggering 21 undrafted free agents into their rookie camp. But that doesn't diminish from the success they had in making their picks.

While the order of the picks and the priority they placed on certain positions is certainly up for debate, one thing is clear—the Ravens had a plan and they stuck to it as best they could in what was a constantly-changing situation. They were smart, and it shows.

So Much for Peter Konz

I'm not the only analyst who whiffed on Peter Konz being the Ravens' sure first-round selection. Now, I'm not saying that Konz is a first-round talent, all around, but when it comes to a team with a specific need as the Ravens, he seemed like the no-brainer choice.

Konz eventually went to the Atlanta Falcons in the second round, the same round in which the Ravens selected guard Kelechi Osemele.

Konz was projected to the Ravens because he fills both an immediate and a long-term need—he can play guard and could potentially move to center next season, when current starter Matt Birk is thought to retire.

Instead, the Ravens decided to go with a dedicated guard and find their replacement center elsewhere. It may be a position they address in the 2013 draft, but I'm more inclined to think that Chris Anzevino, a center out of Kent State the Ravens brought on as an undrafted free agent, will end up winning that position.

Osemele is all in all a better fit at guard for the Ravens and it's clear that whatever upside that Konz's versatility represented wasn't enough to make him their pick. We all get something wrong at times, I guess.

Follow @FBALL_Andrea