How Eric DeCosta, SN's NFL Executive of the Year for 2019, built Lamar Jackson, Ravens into Super Bowl contenders

The Ravens now have a general manager named as Sporting News' NFL Executive of the Year, as voted on by his peers. Congratulations to Eric DeCosta, the winner for the 2019 season who also is only the second GM in the franchise's 24-year history.

Retired Ozzie Newsome fell short of winning the award several times in his 23 years on the job, but consider DeCosta, Newsome's front-office protege and successor, getting recognized this way as a long overdue tribute to one of the league's premier scouting and personnel organizations. DeCosta's big start suggests that, at only age 49, he has a bright future in Baltimore.

MORE: All 2019 Sporting News NFL awards winners

DeCosta was charged with a difficult task when taking over in 2019 — how to rebuild the team into a Super Bowl contender tailored to the talents of its dynamic second-year QB, Lamar Jackson. Like Jackson, DeCosta passed and ran with flying colors, specifically purple and black. The Ravens fell short of winning their third ring, but they finished the regular season with the NFL's best record at 14-2 with Jackson breaking out as league MVP — and also SN's Offensive Player of the Year.

None of it would have been possible without DeCosta knowing what needed to be done around Jackson offensively and to complement him defensively to help coach John Harbaugh lead the team to its second repeat as AFC North champions.

After Newsome traded up with the Eagles to get Jackson in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, DeCosta's path in 2019 came into focus. Here is a look back at all the great moves in his one year on the job that added up to the award.

Releasing WR Michael Crabtree: Crabtree was not the right kind of wideout for Jackson, given he was more of a possession type than a speedy deep threat. DeCosta cleared the way to remix the position for Jackson.

Waiving RB Alex Collins: Collins once showed promise as the Ravens' lead power back, but DeCosta also realized the need to reload the backfield with Jackson.

Re-signing TE Nick Boyle: Using multiple tight ends to help Jackson was a good early plan. This move to keep Boyle with Mark Andrews allowed the team to trade Hayden Hurst, the first-rounder taken ahead of Jackson, in 2020.

Trading QB Joe Flacco: There was no need to keep the injury-riddled Flacco as an unwilling backup behind Jackson with Robert Griffiin III, later re-signed, being the better stylistic fit. DeCosta flipped Flacco nicely to the Broncos for a fourth-rounder, which allowed the Ravens to draft running back Justice Hill.

Signing RB Mark Ingram: Before adding Hill to the mix, the Ravens got a no-nonsense, savvy power runner whose veteran, winning attitude was a bonus for the locker room.

Signing S Earl Thomas: With Eric Weddle ending his tenure with the Ravens, DeCosta was smart to get the former Seahawks All-Pro to be a seamless veteran replacement and was able to land him over several other interested teams.

Re-signing RB Gus Edwards: The undrafted free agent impressed enough in 2019 to get re-signed and serve as Ingram's top power backup.

Extending K Justin Tucker and RG Marshal Yanda: Tucker needs to remain the Ravens' clutch kicker for his entire career. Although Yanda retired after the 2019 season, this was a good faith measure by the Ravens ahead of his swan song as a venerable blocker.

Drafting WR Marquise Brown, EDGE Jaylon Ferguson, WR Miles Boykin, RB Justice Hill and G Ben Powers: DeCosta got his new starting wideouts here. Brown went Hollywood in his first game as the big-play guy for Jackson. Ferguson might end up being a steal to help their pass rush. Boykin should be more active for Jackson opposite Brown in Year 2. Hill can still have a big committee role soon. Powers is in the mix to replace Yanda.

Trading G Alex Lewis to the Jets: This 2020 pick in return eventually turned into No. 202 overall after a trade with the Vikings. The Ravens used it to land sleeper WR James Proche.

Trading K Kaare Vedvik to the Vikings: The 2020 pick in return became a fifth-rounder, with which the Ravens landed DT Broderick Washington Jr. to boost their 3-4 rotation.

Signing LBs L.J. Fort and Josh Bynes: DeCosta saw some value here for their 3-4 scheme, and they combined to start 15 games at the two inside spots.

Trading for CB Marcus Peters: The Ravens envisioned helping Marlon Humphrey in coverage with something a lot more than the return of Jimmy Smith, getting aggressive for the former Chiefs and Rams playmaker. Peters was a natural fit in the secondary, making it tough to pass on Baltimore. Having more depth at linebacker made Kenny Young an easy piece to move.

Making the offense stronger, the defense deeper: Brown and Boykin had the vertical skills to mesh with Jackson, throwing deep while playing off the effectiveness of the running game, which became steadier with Ingram, Edwards and Hill. On the other side, the Ravens gave themselves some extra pop inside and out with linebackers and the secondary.

DeCosta got a lot done in 2019, and there has been more in store for 2020. J.K. Dobbins, Devin Duvernay and Proche built on the offensive strengths the Ravens hit on from last year. Fellow drafted rookies Ben Bredeson and Tyre Phillps and veteran D.J. Fluker offer more options without Yanda. Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe and drafted rookies Patrick Queen, Justin Madubuike and Malik Harrison push further with the strong front-seven initiative.

What has made the Ravens so successful with personnel over the years is their making a quick recovery with the right players who fit their schemes and complement the existing nuclei. DeCosta did this at a high enough level to stand out among fine, winning executives, joining an exclusive club.

Sporting News Executive of the Year winners