Baltimore Ravens Select Florida Safety Matt Elam With First Round Pick

November 17, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Matt Elam (22) gets pumped up against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 23-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens have selected Matt Elam with the 32nd overall pick. After nearly four hours of waiting, Ravens fans got to see their team draft the heir to Ed Reed. The Ravens elected to address the safety position in the first round, as to going after Kevin Minter or Manti Te’o at middle linebacker or Justin Hunter or Keenan Allen at wide receiver.

Elam profiles as a tailor-made Baltimore Raven. While he’s undersized, the first-team All American can still lay a hit on a receiver as well as just about anyone. He brings quickness (4.54 40-time at NFL Scouting Combine) and leadership to a team that’s in transition, and also brings a positive personality/locker room presence to the team. If he’s anything like he was at Florida, it should be fun watching him play along side Michael Huff at free safety next season.