Ryan Jensen to Ravens: How Does Center/Guard Fit with Baltimore?

Ryan Jensen is a player from Colorado State University-Pueblo, a school that probably most people have never heard of.  Jensen played tackle for CSUP, but will likely project to either a center or guard in the NFL.  In an interview on NFL Network, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said that Jensen will come in as a backup for new starting center Gino Gradkowski.

Role

Jensen is an below-average to average NFL athlete, but at the University of Colorado Pro Day Jensen showed NFL scouts enough to get him noticed.  He's a strong kid who put up 30 reps on the bench press, but is definitely a developmental prospect who will have to learn a completely new position when he comes to Baltimore.  Currently, however, there is no backup for Gradkowski, so if Jensen proves that he can be versatile enough to play center, guard, and even right tackle there's a good chance he'll stick on the roster.

Early Projections

Jensen will be a backup at best for Baltimore in the 2013 season.  His first goal will be to make the team and prove to them he is versatile enough to play multiple positions if needed.  The best way to make a team as a late-round pick is to be able to do many things for a team.  If Jensen is able to play center and guard, he could even be on the game-day roster in Baltimore.

Rob Engle is the co-founder on DraftBreakdown.com.  Check out DraftBreakdown for analysis, mock drafts, and video footage for hundreds on draft prospects.