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OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked how much of a voice he has in the team's drafts. "I don’t know, you can ask these guys. Right?," Harbaugh said while looking at general manager Ozzie Newsome and assistant general manager Eric DeCosta. "I try to have a lot of input." Like many coaches, Harbaugh enjoys the draft process and giving his say on certain players. Unlike others, Harbaugh's participation goes beyond going to the NFL combine and attending pro days. "What separates John from a lot of different coaches is that he watches every player," DeCosta said. "He’s got tremendous work ethic, he has a passion for it, and he works well [with the scouts]. He has tremendous credibility with the scouts because they know he’s done the work. That’s what I love; that’s a joy. He’s got a strong opinion, but it’s always backed up by the tape and by what he wants on this team, and the scouts and coaches always respect that." Since Harbaugh became coach in 2008, the Ravens have drafted 19 players who became starters in Baltimore for multiple seasons. Over that same span, there have been four Pro Bowl players: running back Ray Rice, offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and linebacker C.J. Mosley. The Ravens' scouts and front office members have typically sought out the thoughts of the coaching staff. It helps the scouting department figure out which players best suit the schemes and system. "I think that there’s a great collaboration here," Harbaugh said. "I feel like they listen." This marks the 11th draft for Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome, who will step down from his role after the season. DeCosta will take over the job at top personnel decision-maker. The only longer tenured general manager-head coach pairings are in Cincinnati (GM Mike Brown and coach Marvin Lewis), New Orleans (GM Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton) and Pittsburgh (GM Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin). "We’re all invested in the same process, and that’s what makes our process -- for me -- so satisfying," DeCosta said.
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