DeCosta's rationale also stems from the fact most NFL teams are increasingly targeting similar players, he explained, perhaps partially due to intensified media coverage of clubs' most prioritized positions and prospect types.

The Ravens are set to hold rookie minicamp, and after signing nine players, we are looking at the projected contracts for the 11-player draft class

Draft eligible players catch a lot of grief for being (gasp) over 22 years of age. Meanwhile players 21 and under are celebrated as prospects ("all this and he's still just 21 years old!"). It's because of this emphasis on getting young(er) talent that's supposedly on the upswing that the age of drafted players is tracked.