Brown: Taking an edge rusher in the first round wouldn't be a waste.
Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, and David Ojabo are in the final year of their contracts and the Ravens must think about the future. A first-round pass rusher has a chance to make an immediate impact in Baltimore if he earns his way into the rotation on game days. He'd also be another young talent for well-respected Pass Rush Coach Chuck Smith to develop.
First round edge rushers who have been linked to the Ravens in mock drafts include Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College), Mike Green (Marshall), James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee), Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), and Mykel Williams (Georgia). I think any of them could be the Ravens' pick at No 27. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said Ezeiruaku “plays like a Raven,” and his 16.5 sacks as a senior definitely gets your attention.
I understand your point that whoever the Ravens draft might not be as productive as Van Noy or Oweh, or as good as Tavius Robinson defending the run. However, a productive edge rusher for 2025 and beyond is worthy of first-round consideration.
Ryan: I'm going to stick to the first part of this question. If the Ravens use all 11 of their selections, I don't expect all to make the 53-man roster.
The Ravens have one of the strongest rosters in the league, and having 11 rookies outduel veterans in training camp would be difficult. At least one Ravens selection in each of the past four drafts didn't make the initial 53-man roster.
"We have a good team. We feel good about our roster. It's going to be hard for 11 players to make the team out of the gates this year," General Manager Eric DeCosta said at the pre-draft press conference. "I mean, if they do, it would be incredible. History tells us that probably not all 11 picks are going to make the initial 53-man roster, which is a good problem to have, it means we're a talented team."
The Ravens made 11 selections back in 2022 and had one of their best draft classes in history, selecting Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, and Travis Jones. One selection that year (running back Tyler Badie) didn't make the 53-man roster.
Brown: If the Ravens draft a wide receiver or running back on Day 3, it won't surprise me.
I'm guessing it could happen in Round 6, where the Ravens have four picks. They don't have a need at either position, but if a receiver or running back is the best player on their board at that point, why not take him?
Projected late-round wide receivers who may intrigue Baltimore include Pat Bryant (Illinois), Nick Nash (San Jose State) Isaac TeSlaa (Arkansas), and Dont'e Thornton Jr. (Tennessee). All are big-bodied targets and Thornton is a Baltimore product who attended Mount Saint Joseph.
This is a particularly deep running back class, and the Ravens may take a dive despite being deep at the position. LeQuint Allen (Syracuse), Jaydon Blue (Texas), Jarquez Hunter (Auburn), Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Arizona), Woody Marks (USC), and Brashard Smith (SMU) are among those who could fall to Round 6.
Seeing Baltimore take a receiver or back on Day 1 or 2 would be unexpected. But on Day 3, any position is on the table.
Ryan: I think signing Jack Jones is a possibility after he was released by the Raiders. Jones started 16 games for Las Vegas last season and had 16 passes defended and three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
Adding veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie this offseason helped fill a need after Brandon Stephens (Jets) departed in free agency, but I expect the Ravens to add at cornerback either in free agency or the Draft. Baltimore has two locked in starters with Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, and I think Jones would compete for playing time with Awuzie.
