When the clock ticks down and the pick is in, Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta knows the real magic of the NFL Draft is just beginning. In a candid chat with Bruce Cunningham and former Ravens linebacker Femi Ayanbadejo on 105.7 The Fan, DeCosta pulled back the curtain on one of the most emotional moments in football: the phone call that changes a player's life forever.

"When you draft these guys, it's a special feeling," DeCosta shared, his voice carrying the weight of countless draft rooms past. "You get them on the phone, and you can hear the emotion in their voices—the trepidation, the nerves, the uncertainty of whether this dream is really about to happen. Then you say, 'We're turning the pick in, and your name's going to be on the TV in a second.' And that's when you hear it: their families just erupt."

For DeCosta, that eruption isn't just noise—it's the sound of a new chapter beginning. He explained how these raw, unfiltered moments instantly forge a bond between the organization and its newest players, turning draft weekend from a strategic chess match into a deeply human experience. It's a reminder that behind every selection, every trade, and every highlight reel, there's a family holding their breath, waiting for a dream to come true.

Whether you're a die-hard Ravens fan or just love the drama of draft day, DeCosta's words capture why this annual tradition remains so captivating. It's not just about the picks—it's about the people who make the game great.