OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens added a developmental young quarterback, a potential reserve center for Tyler Linderbaum, and a reserve safety in the final two rounds of the 2024 NFL draft on Saturday.
The team selected Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary in the sixth round (218th overall). Last season, he was a semifinalist for the Comeback Player of the Year Watch List after suffering a tear in his right pectoralis major just six games into the 2022 season.
Leary, 6 feet 1, 217 pounds, finished the year completing 209 of 371 passes (56.3 percent) for 2,746 yards and 25 touchdowns, which was one short of the top five in program history and the most for a Kentucky quarterback since Andre Woodson in 2007. However, he threw 28 interceptions in 43 games.
“[It’s] a blessing, a blessing,” Leary said. “Honestly, [I was] completely taken by surprise. I talked to [quarterbacks] Coach [Tee] Martin at the combine and had an awesome conversation. [I] got to talk ball with him, and I just remember telling him, ‘Coach, anything that I can do to help this team win is why I want to be a part of the Ravens.'”
The Ravens also have Josh Johnson and Malik Cunningham competing for the backup job. Ravens coach John Harbaugh confirmed that Johnson is the No. 2 quarterback and that Leary will need more time to develop.
The Ravens selected Michigan State center Nick Samac in the seventh round (228th overall). Samac, 6 feet 4, 307 pounds, was a five-year letter-winner for the Spartans who played in 49 career games, including 32 starts. He was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.
Samac suffered a broken fibula in Michigan State’s second to last game of the season, which could have affected his draft status. He was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine but the injury prevented him from on-field participation.
With Sam Mustipher signing a free-agent deal with the Broncos this offseason, Samac has an opportunity to be the main backup for Linderbaum, who made the Pro Bowl this past season.
With their last pick of the draft at 25oth overall, the Ravens took Purdue safety Sanoussi Kane, who played in 26 games over the last two seasons as a starter. Kane had 161 career tackles, including 11 for loss, broke up 10 passes and forced three fumbles.
The Ravens need depth behind starters Kyle Hamiton and Marcus Williams, so Kane will have an opportunity to make the final 53-man roster.