Although most Ravens fans were unhappy staying up late on a Thursday night only to see Baltimore trade back their first round pick, it was definitely worth it. The Baltimore Ravens traded their first round pick (29th) to the Minnesota Vikings for the Vikings second and fourth-round picks.

“We had some guys that if we were stuck at 29 we could have picked one of those guys could be available for us at 35th pick,” Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome said.

And with the 35th pick the Baltimore Ravens selected Courtney Upshaw, a linebacker out of the University of Alabama. Many considered the Ravens pick to be “the steal of the draft.” Upshaw was predicted to be selected in the first round of the draft, instead his former teammate Dont’a Hightower, who was projected to be drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, was selected by the New England Patriots, who jumped up to the 25th pick of the draft to get him.

Many have compared Upshaw and Hightower to one another at the linebacker position. Upshaw is known for his incredible job of coming up with big plays in important situations, he is sought out to be a big play-maker. Upshaw was apart of the great Alabama defense, which was ranked the best in all of college football last year, that same defense led the Crimson Tide to a national championship.

Baltimore was very fortunate getting Upshaw in the early second round of the NFL draft, and along with him, two extra draft picks. Upshaw has the great opportunity of having the chance to be influenced by Raven veterans Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs.

“I love to throw my shoulder into somebody. I love the contact part. I don’t shy away from it,” Upshaw said.

With a big physical football player like Upshaw, it sure makes out to be a dangerous linebacking corps in Baltimore.