Though first-round draft pick Joe Flacco is under contract, the Baltimore Ravens still have a lot of work to do before training camp opens in three days.

Specifically, the Ravens need to sign eight draft picks.

Per the Baltimore Sun, initial talks reportedly have been held with running back Ray Rice (second round), linebacker Tavares Gooden (third), safety Tom Zbikowski (third), wide receiver Marcus Smith (fourth), offensive tackle David Hale (fourth), safety Haruki Nakamura (sixth), wide receiver Justin Harper (seventh), and running back Allen Patrick (seventh).

Flacco and third-rounder Oniel Cousins are the only Ravens rookies who are under contract.

Still, the Flacco signing is the biggest.  By having him in training camp early, the team has a good chance of getting him ready to play as a rookie.  And thus to avoid another Derek Anderson situation in which a guy like Troy Smith starts the season presumably until Flacco is ready — and then without the pressure of being the “real” starter Smith becomes a star.