The Baltimore Ravens made nine selections in this year’s NFL Draft, addressing several areas of need on the roster ahead of the 2024 season.
Charles Davis, an analyst for the NFL Network and CBS Sports, believes the Ravens historically draft well, with this year’s class being no exception.
“Death, taxes and the Ravens have a good draft,” Davis said on Glenn Clark Radio April 29. “They find a way, right? They get players who fit who they are. They know who they are, and they get guys who are going to play like a Raven. And I think they did it again this year.”
The Ravens selected Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins with the No. 30 overall pick. A first-team All-ACC selection in 2023, Wiggins’ 40-yard dash time of 4.28 seconds was the fastest of any defensive back and the second-fastest of any player at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Wiggins has the coverage skills and height teams look for in an outside corner, but he weighed just 173 pounds at the Combine, raising concerns about his tackling and his ability to match up with big, physical NFL receivers.
But Davis doesn’t think Wiggins’ weight will be an issue, especially as he matures and spends every day in an NFL weight room.
“The weight thing is a big deal in certain situations, certain big people you’re taking on,” Davis said. “Maybe some bigger-sized receivers who might be able to body you off, but there’s a lot of times your quickness is going to win those battles, too.”
Under John Harbaugh, the Ravens have always played a physical brand of defense with an emphasis on strong tackling. If the Baltimore brass felt that would be an issue with Wiggins, Davis doesn’t think he would be a Raven.
“Obviously Eric DeCosta and his scouting group said, ‘We believe he will be a willing tackler for us,'” Davis said. “Because you can’t play in Baltimore if that person is not going to do that. The rest of the defensive back room will take issue to that, so he better come ready to go.”
Offensive line became an area of need for the Ravens after losing three starters this offseason. Although they didn’t use their first-round pick on a tackle like many mock drafts predicted, the Ravens used their second-round pick on Washington offensive lineman Roger Rosengarten.
Rosengarten played right tackle for the Huskies, protecting the blind side of left-handed quarterback Michael Penix Jr. With former All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley entering the last guaranteed year on his contract, Davis believes Rosengarten could be a long-term solution at the position.
“Whether they do have those designs to move him to left tackle, I can’t say for sure,” Davis said. “But it doesn’t make sense to me that there wouldn’t be that conversation.”
The Ravens selected Penn State edge rusher Adisa Isaac in the third round. Isaac out-produced fellow Nittany Lions edge rusher Chop Robinson, a first-round pick, with 7.5 sacks in his senior season. Davis believes Isaac is a perfect fit in Baltimore, comparing him to a former Raven who had a productive professional career.
“I don’t see him as that alpha pass rusher right out of the gate. Let’s see how things develop,” Davis said. “There’s a little bit of Pernell McPhee in his game.”
The Ravens added some size to their receiving corps with fourth-round selection Devontez Walker. The 6-foot-2 wideout was the center of controversy after the NCAA declared him ineligible at the beginning of his junior season after transferring to North Carolina. However, he was productive once he was allowed to play. He caught 41 passes for 699 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games.
Originally thought to be a potential first-round selection, Walker was plagued by drops at the Senior Bowl and saw his draft stock slip. But Davis doesn’t see many drops on his college tape and believes Walker’s size and athleticism make him a favorable target for Lamar Jackson.
“Bigger guys, bigger catch radius, all those things help a quarterback like Lamar who’s constantly on the move,” Davis said. “… I think there’s a big part of that with getting Tez Walker in the fourth round. [He] can run. Big, big target, and probably is better than where he got drafted. I like that pick for Baltimore.”
The Ravens saw firsthand the importance of depth in the secondary after starting cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens were injured in a Week 17 win against the Miami Dolphins. The Ravens doubled up on corners in the draft, selecting Iowa State’s T.J. Tampa in the fourth round.
“This Tampa kid, who I had rated as a second-round player, getting him in the fourth?” Davis said. “Tough, hard-nosed kid who can cover, got some length to him. I like him a bunch.”
Davis is also high on Marshall running back Rasheen Ali, who the Ravens selected in the fifth round. Ali impressed at the Senior Bowl before suffering a ruptured biceps tendon, but Davis likes the value at pick No. 165.
The Ravens also selected Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary, Michigan State center Nick Samac and Purdue safety Sanoussi Kane in the late rounds.
“They kind of fit what Baltimore wants in being hard-nosed and hard-working-type kids,” Davis said. “When you’re picking at that level, these aren’t the guys that you’re looking to be difference-makers, but don’t be surprised if they develop into players.”
For more from Davis, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credits: Courtesy of Clemson, Washington and Penn State Athletics