Should the Ravens Trade Up in Round 1 for an X-Receiver?
In February, General Manager Eric DeCosta joined The McShay Show: The Decision Maker Series for an interview and lamented the one thing the Ravens have missed on is a "big X presence" for the offense. The Athletic's Derrik Klassen, who joined the Banner Ravens Podcast, says Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is the player the Ravens should consider trading up for to change that.
"I love Tetairoa and the film," Klassen said. "I think he's really good. The people who are way too hung up on his speed, I just don't understand it. I get that to be an elite top five pick at receiver you need to have that speed at that size. That's where Ja'Marr Chase ends up being, that's how you get A.J. Green, Julio Jones. He's not in that tier."
The critique of McMillan has been his 40-yard time. After not participating in the NFL Combine's 40-yard dash, he ran a 4.53 during Arizona's Pro Day.
Klassen isn't worried about the speed, because the film shows McMillan can do everything else. Trading up for him in the draft makes sense to Klassen.
"But the next tier down where you can be a Tee Higgins, a Courtland Sutton, a Drake London-style of player. I think he can absolutely fit into that," Klassen said. "If he falls to like, 15, I would absolutely be willing to go and get a guy like that. In terms of if McMillan falls the way that people think that he might, I would definitely be hitting the phones to see what's happening."
However, the likelihood of McMillan falling close enough for the Ravens to trade up is small. That led The Baltimore Banner's Paul Mancano and Jonas Shaffer to ask Klassen about the Ravens' offseason addition of DeAndre Hopkins, and if his addition is enough as an X-receiver.
"It was probably their best shot at trying to find it outside of the draft," Klassen said. "For me, what the X does is two things. I think right now, when they are in the 'got-to-have-it' situations on potentially a 3rd & 8, Zay Flowers, to me, he can get open, but he's not, 'we just run a curl route at the sticks, he's going to be able to box the guy out and catch it.' Tee Higgins is automatic on a route like that. And obviously that's the pinnacle of what an X receiver looks like… Bateman can get open one-on-one but he's more of a slasher, he wins on a lot of slants and underneath routes and stuff like that. He's just not a guy that's outside the numbers, box people out. So, I think [Hopkins] can be valuable for those scenarios."
Ravens' Trade for Lamar Jackson Named a Top 10 Draft Deal in NFL History
In 2018, the Ravens shocked the NFL World, trading back into the first round and selecting Jackson with the No. 32 overall pick. That move set the stage for the Ravens to become one of the winningest franchises in the NFL since. According to Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon, it's the ninth-best NFL draft trade in history.
"On that Thursday night in April 2018, the electrifying quarterback waited patiently—or maybe not so patiently—to hear his name called. Finally, it happened with the final pick of the opening round," Kenyon wrote. "Jackson went to the Baltimore Ravens, who packaged three picks to send to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 32 slot and a third-rounder. That calculated risk has paid off beautifully. In just seven seasons, Jackson has secured two league MVPs and earned first-team AP All-Pro honors three times while guiding the Ravens to four AFC North crowns and six playoff trips."
The only trades ranked higher than Jackson involve current or future Hall of Famers and the infamous Herschel Walker trade, which set the stage for the Cowboys to begin their three-Super Bowl dynasty.
Ravens' Defensive Roster Status Pre-Draft
The majority of mock drafts have the Ravens pursuing multiple positions on defense, be it edge rusher, cornerback, safety or defensive line. With the draft 10 days away, Russell Street Report's Nikhil Mehta broke down the state of Ravens' roster on the defensive side.
Edge
Likely roster spots: Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac, David Ojabo
"Room to add: I'm higher on this group than most. Robinson took clear steps forward in 2024 and Isaac will benefit from a full, healthy offseason," Mehta wrote. "But Ojabo could be on the roster bubble and Oweh and Van Noy are slated to hit free agency in 2026. I think EDGEs will come off the board quickly, so the team may have to use one of their first three picks to secure a premium talent."
Cornerback
Likely roster spots: Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Chidobe Awuzie, T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis
"Room to add: The Ravens filled their short-term need by signing Awuzie, and I think Tampa could be a future starter on the outside," Mehta wrote. "Still, no NFL team can never have enough corners, and Baltimore especially needs to add another nickel from this class. Other positions will likely be higher priorities early on, but Baltimore could look to catch a falling corner late on Day 2 or early on Day 3."
Safety
Likely roster spots: Kyle Hamilton, Ar'Darius Washington, Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade
"Room to add: Washington will hit free agency after 2025, so the Ravens should be looking for a long-term running mate for Hamilton who can play a third safety role as a rookie," Mehta wrote. "I'm a huge fan of this draft class, which includes a number of players with strong coverage profiles that Baltimore should covet. Baltimore should avoid targeting more safeties like Kane and Brade who can run the alley and play special teams but lack NFL coverage chops."
