Ravens take Notre Dame OT Stanley with 6th pick in NFL draft

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Eager to protect their investment in quarterback Joe Flacco, the Baltimore Ravens selected Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley with the sixth overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday night.

The 6-foot-6, 312-pound Stanley shined at left tackle for the Irish throughout his four-year career. He started all 13 games in each of his final three seasons and was an Associated Press second-team All-American as a senior.

The Ravens haven't had a standout left tackle since Hall of Fame entrant Jonathan Ogden retired in 2007.

Baltimore thought it found the answer in Eugene Monroe, but he's been slowed by injury since signing a five-year contract in March 2014. Monroe played in 11 games that year, and last season suited up only six times before placed on injured reserve in December.

The Ravens tried 330-pound guard Kelechi Osemele at left tackle last year, but he departed as a free agent during the offseason.

Protecting Flacco is a must. He never missed a game before tearing ligaments in his knee on Nov. 22 against St. Louis.

After signing a new contract in the offseason, Flacco hopes to return for training camp.

"We've invested a lot in Joe over the next six years," general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "We feel like Ronnie comes in with the opportunity to compete, but at some point will be a starter and a starter for a long time for the Baltimore Ravens."

The Ravens went 5-11 in 2015, their worst season since 2007. This marks the first time since 2003 that they had a Top-10 pick, and Baltimore hadn't drafted as high as No. 6 since 2000.

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