The Baltimore Ravens obviously like what they see in Mississipi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod. So much, in fact, that they have met withhim twice, both at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama this past January and again at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The Ravens might be looking for an offensive tackle to play on the right side opposite left tackle Michel Oher. Depending on what happens with free agent tackle Jared Gaither, the team needs to explore their depth on the line and what they can do to move Marshal Yanda back to right guard, his more natural position.
If that's the case, then Sherrod seems to be the exact type of player the Ravens would covet on their team, both on the field and in the locker and classroom.
Sherrod brings with him a 3.54 GPA and a degree in Business Administration. He also earned a post-graduate scholarship. Sherrod has the size (6'5", 321 pounds) that Baltimore would love to anchor the right side of the line, to not only protect QB Joe Flacco with his huge wingspan (35+"), but help collapse the defensive front to open holes for RB Ray Rice to dart through.
This was a problem last year, as the running game almost always ran the ball to the left side due to its dismal results going to the right side. Having a guy on the right side actually bigger than the guy on the left would be a great luxury for the team that needs to have a solid run game in order to make the passing game even better.
Sherrod played left tackle for the Bulldogs, starting 47 of 50 career games at Mississippi State. He believes he can play left tackle in the pros, although he most likely would play right tackle for the Ravens. The Ravens pick 26th in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, which begins on April 28th.
See the related story by Aaron Wilson at the National Football Post.