The Baltimore Ravens have some holes to fill after falling one win of reaching the Super Bowl.
Being one of the best teams in the league means a lot of turnover in the new season. Baltimore will have to fill roles vacated by Odell Beckham Jr., Jadeveon Clowney, Morgan Moses, Geno Stone, Patrick Queen and Kevin Zeitler. Fortunately for Eric DeCosta and the Ravens, they have nine picks entering the 2024 NFL Draft to restock the roster.
Some wheeling and dealing wouldn’t surprise anyone, as Baltimore is always rumored to be a team willing to trade down. With their first pick in the draft, the Ravens need to find an impact player.
Let’s predict three players at each draft position that could be in a Ravens uniform following the 2024 NFL Draft.
Round 1, No. 30
Option 1: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Option 2: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Option 3: Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri
Round 2, No. 62:
Option 1: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
Option 2: Christian Haynes, IOL, UConn
Option 3: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Round 3, No. 93:
Option 1: Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas
Option 2: Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas
Option 3: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
Round 4, No. 113 — from Broncos via Patriots:
Option 1: MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC
Option 2: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
Option 3: Christian Mahogany, IOL, Boston College
Round 4, No. 130:
Option 1: Brenden Rice, WR, USC
Option 2: Tykee Smith, S, Georgia
Option 3: Zak Zinter, IOL, Michigan
Round 5, No. 165:
Option 1: Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M
Option 2: Gabe Hall, DT, Baylor
Option 3: Beau Brade, S, Maryland
Round 6, No. 218 (compensatory):
Option 1: Nelson Ceasar, EDGE, Houston
Option 2: Jordan Magee, LB, Temple
Option 3: Trey Taylor, S, Air Force
Round 7, No. 228 — from Jets:
Option 1: Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee
Option 2: Marcus Harris, DL, Auburn
Option 3: Cornelius Johnson, WR, Michigan
Round 7, No. 250:
Option 1: Andrew Raym, IOL, Oklahoma
Option 2: Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, WR, Georgia
Option 3: Tarheeb Still, CB, Maryland
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: offensive line, cornerback and pass rusher. Most of the picks reflect that.
Don’t be surprised if Baltimore doesn’t get their guy in the first round and trades back into the second. Eric DeCosta trading down to stockpile for an additional second- or third-round selection in return shouldn’t shock anyone. The Ravens are in the ideal position for a team that could be looking to trade into the first round for a quarterback. The Giants or Raiders are a couple teams within striking distance to get a deal done.
Other needs include interior defensive line, developmental offensive lineman, linebacker, running back depth and possibly backup quarterback.
Offensive tackle should be the Ravens’ top priority, unless a player like Jared Verse or Nate Wiggins somehow falls to them. JC Latham would be a dream pick, but Tyler Guyton is the most likely at No. 30. If Guyton goes before 30, expect the Ravens to move back.
The second round has historically not been good to the Ravens, but this is still a strong draft late in the second. Chris Braswell would be an instant fit on the defense. Max Melton is one of several cornerbacks who will be available for Baltimore.
The third and fourth rounds are when I expect DeCosta to start addressing the skill positions on offense. I’m a big fan of USC stars MarShawn Lloyd and Brenden Rice in the fourth round. Derrick Henry was a prized free-agent acquisition, but he likely only has a year or two left in the tank. Lloyd gives Baltimore a pass-catching option out of the backfield. Rice, the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, has the pedigree to be a solid starter behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.
Rounds 5-7 are all about adding depth. Last year, I was big on the Ravens adding Malik Cunningham in the later rounds. While they did not draft Cunningham, they ultimately were able to land him on the roster and he has a chance to compete for the backup quarterback job this offseason. Joe Milton is a better quarterback and has the elusiveness the Ravens covet at the position.
Positions we should expect to see address in those later rounds include linebacker, safety and defensive line. Gabe Hall, Jordan Magee and Trey Taylor are three of my favorites at each position. All could be fits on Day 3.
What do you think of this Ravens mock draft?
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Alabama Athletics