The Baltimore Ravens have an abundance of needs entering the 2023 NFL Draft, but they will have to restock the talent pool with just five picks, compared to 11 picks total and six in the fourth round alone last year.

Baltimore does have good reason for missing a couple of those picks, as as the Ravens do not have their second-round selection (No. 56) following the midseason trade for linebacker Roquan Smith. He was well worth the lost draft pick, as Smith was a perfect fit in the Ravens’ defense. The organization rewarded him with a hefty new contract that will keep him in purple and black for the foreseeable future. Baltimore sent their fifth-round pick to the Chicago Bears in the trade for Smith as well.

They also do not own their seventh-round choice as part of a trade package in the 2022 draft. The Ravens do own the Patriots’ fifth-round selection from the Shaun Wade trade a couple years ago.

Eric DeCosta and his predecessor Ozzie Newsome have been huge advocates of gaining extra selections through compensatory picks, but the Ravens don’t have that at their disposal this offseason. Barring any trades, they will enter the draft weekend with just those five picks.

As of this writing, Lamar Jackson is still a Raven. It remains to be seen if that’s the case come draft day, but for this exercise we will assume Baltimore has their franchise quarterback.

I released my first Ravens mock draft prior to free agency. Baltimore hasn’t done much with the Jackson situation simmering and still has the same needs it did a month ago.

Let’s predict three players at each draft position who could be in a Ravens uniform following the 2023 NFL Draft, using a mock draft simulator.

Round 1, No. 22
Option 1: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Option 2: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Option 3: Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson

Round 3, No. 86
Option 1: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
Option 2: Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
Option 3: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

Round 4, No. 125
Option 1: Emil Ekiyor, OG, Alabama
Option 2: Zacch Pickens, DL, South Carolina
Option 3: Isaiah Hand, EDGE, Florida A&M

Round 5, No. 159 — via New England Patriots:
Option 1: K.J. Henry, EDGE, Clemson
Option 2: Brenton Cox Jr., EDGE, Florida
Option 3: Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane

Round 6, No. 200
Option 1: Jadon Haselwood, WR, Arkansas
Option 2: Malik Cunningham, QB, Louisville
Option 3: Nesta Jade Silvera, DL, Arizona State

Notes:

The Ravens like to follow their board and select the best player available, but there are three glaring needs that must be addressed in this draft: wide receiver, cornerback and pass rusher. Most of the picks reflect that.

Don’t be surprised if Baltimore doesn’t get its guy in the first round and trades back into the second. Eric DeCosta trading down for an additional second- or third-round selection shouldn’t shock anyone.

Secondary needs are interior offensive line (left guard), defensive line, developmental offensive lineman, running back depth and possibly backup quarterback if Tyler Huntley moves on.

I was a bit shocked my first two picks were still available at their draft position. Joey Porter Jr. has been slipping down draft boards and would be a welcome addition to the Ravens’ secondary. He has all the physical traits the Ravens like with their cornerback group. He’d instantly be an upgrade opposite Marlon Humphrey and become the future star of the duo.

Kayshon Boutte is a receiver I’m higher on than most. He’s an early second-round pick in my eyes, so I was stunned to see him available at No. 86. Boutte looked to be the next in line of great LSU receivers until an ankle injury slowed his production. He can play inside and out, and that versatility could be useful in Todd Monken’s offense.

One of the position battles to watch this offseason is at left guard. Alabama guard Emil Ekiyor and former third-round pick Ben Cleveland give Baltimore two options at the position. The Ravens love players from the Crimson Tide, so it’s an ideal fit.

Similar to my last mock draft, I have two edge defenders as possibilities in the fifth round. K.J Henry needs some seasoning in run support but could step in as a situational pass rusher, and that’s a position of need. Tyjae Sharpe is one of my favorite players in this draft, but the Ravens have a crowded backfield already. One can dream.

The sixth round is where you find developmental talent, and the first two options offer intrigue. Jadon Haselwood is a big, physical receiver who excels at blocking. It’s no secret the Ravens place a higher value on blocking receivers. Haselwood was a five-star recruit who hasn’t lived up to expectations, but the right coaching could get him up to speed.

I was very tempted to make Malik Cunningham the final pick. He’s Lamar Jackson lite, hailing from the same college as the former NFL MVP. Cunningham is a dual-threat quarterback that Baltimore can develop behind Jackson, or dare I say Tyler Huntley if Jackson is no longer with the organization. It remains to be seen how the Ravens offense’ operates under Monken, but if they want a player with a similar skill set to Lamar, Cunningham is the guy.

What do you think of this Ravens mock draft?

Photo Credit: Jackson Jones

Joe Serpico

See all posts by Joe Serpico. Follow Joe Serpico on Twitter at @JoeSerp