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ESPN - Ravens reach deal with No. 1 pick - NFL

The Baltimore Ravens on Thursday evening agreed to terms with first-round pick Ben Grubbs, the standout Auburn guard who was rated as the draft's top player at his position, ESPN.com has learned.

As the 29th player selected overall, Grubbs will sign a five-year contract worth $11 million. The deal includes $5.22 million in guarantees.

Grubbs, 23, is expected to challenge for the starting job at right guard on a Baltimore line that appears to be in flux, particularly at the three interior positions.

A strong in-line player, Grubbs was regarded by many NFL scouts as the second-best lineman in the draft at any position, behind only Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas, the third pick overall, who was chosen by Cleveland. Grubbs was viewed as a prototype guard prospect, a guy who blends a mauler-type mentality with surprisingly good techniques.

Although he has a typical guard physique (6-feet-2 ¾, 311 pounds), Grubbs moves well, and was timed at 5.18 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He also did 29 repetitions on the standard, 225-pound bench press.

In 32 college games, he recorded 185 "knockdown" blocks according to Auburn coaches, with 48 blocks resulting in touchdowns. Grubbs surrendered only 2 ½ sacks in his career.

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