Potential 2023 NFL Draft Scenario For Ravens: Defensive Lineman

As we inch closer to the draft, we have a better idea of how the Baltimore Ravens might approach their first-round selection. The Ravens biggest needs even with the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. are wide receiver, cornerback, pass rusher and defensive line, and it’s likely one of these positions will be addressed with the 22nd pick.

Baltimore only has five picks and just two picks in the top 100. In this exercise, we will assume the Ravens stay at No. 22 and do not make any trades. I’ll go over their first-round options and how they will pivot from there in the later rounds.

Scenario 1: Wide Receiver (prior to the Odell Beckham Jr. signing)

Scenario 2: Cornerback

Scenario 3: Edge Rusher

In our fourth scenario, the Ravens go with a defensive lineman with the 22nd pick. The Ravens’ best defenses had a stout presence in the trenches. Haloti Ngata, Kelly Gregg, Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa allowed Ray Lewis and Co. to make plays all over the field.

The Ravens have their present-day Lewis after signing Roquan Smith to a lucrative deal. The next step is getting that dominant presence along the D-line to make an already fantastic Smith even better.

Who could be available in the first?

• Bryan Bresee, Clemson
• Calijah Kancey, Pitt
• Mazi Smith, Michigan

Jalen Carter is the best defensive lineman in this class, but he’s likely to go in the top 10 picks. The next defensive lineman could go as high as 13 or fall out of the first round completely. Breese is top-15 talent who could still be around. Kancey has drawn comparisons to surefire Hall of Famer Aaron Donald because both went to Pitt and are undersized yet explosive for the position. Smith is a player shooting up draft boards, and his familiarity with Mike Macdonald might make for a match.

Who are their third- and fourth-round options?

Cornerback, pass rusher, and wide receiver (even with the addition of Beckham) make the most sense here. Here are a couple of players at each position to keep an eye on in Rounds 3 and 4.

Wide Receiver:

Rakim Jarrett, Maryland
Nathaniel Dell, Houston
Tyler Scott, Cincinnati
Trey Palmer, Nebraska

Cornerback:

Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford
Tyrique Stevenson, Miami
Darius Rush, South Carolina
Jakorian Bennett, Maryland

Pass Rusher:

Tuli Tuipulotu, USC
Isaiah McGuire, Missouri
Caleb Murphy, Ferris State
Isaiah Land, Florida A&M

What other needs could be addressed in Rounds 5 and 6?

Other needs include interior linemen on both side of the ball, a developmental tackle and depth at the remaining positions.

What could the Ravens draft hypothetically look like in this scenario?

No. 22: Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
No. 86: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford
No. 124: Isaiah Land, Florida A&M
No. 157: Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland
No. 199: Atonio Mafi, OL, UCLA

I fully anticipate the Ravens to do some maneuvering to acquire additional draft picks, but are you satisfied with this draft?

Photo Credit: David Platt

Joe Serpico

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