The Ravens took a shot at a backup quarterback in the sixth round, drafting strong-armed Kentucky signal caller Devin Leary with pick No. 218.
Lamar Jackson’s backup in 2024 will be veteran Josh Johnson. But Johnson is 37 years old, so the Ravens were looking for a long-term backup to the two-time MVP. Baltimore also has Malik Cunningham on the roster, but it’s undetermined whether his future will be at quarterback or wide receiver.
“Devin is a quarterback that we see as a viable backup over time,” General Manager Eric DeCosta said. “[Quarterbacks coach] Tee Martin – we gave him a project to basically come back to us and tell us who he thought his favorite backup-type of quarterbacks in this year’s draft class – and he came back with Devin as one of his very top guys.”
Leary said he had a great conversation with Martin at the Combine and came away feeling like Baltimore could pick him.
“I just remember telling him, ‘Coach, anything I can do to help this team win is why I want to be a part of the Ravens,” Leary said. “To get that call and turn my whole world around was truly a dream come true.”
Leary had a monster 2021 season at N.C. State in which he threw for 3,433 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He completed a career-high 65.7 percent of his passes. He broke Philip Rivers’ record for touchdown passes.
Leary’s follow-up season ended prematurely, however, as he suffered a shoulder injury six games into the season. He transferred to Kentucky for his final year of eligibility and the chance to work with Offensive Coordinator Liam Cohen, who is now the OC of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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