Mink: The Ravens had the second-most sacks in the league last season (54) and two players in double digits (Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh). They want to upgrade the pass rush, just like they want to get better in the secondary, etc., but I don't think it's a major need requiring significant resources.
Baltimore has all of its outside linebackers returning, led by Van Noy and Oweh. The Ravens also have talented up-and-coming young players at the position, including Tavius Robinson, David Ojabo, and last year's third-round pick Adisa Isaac. Robinson has diligently grown as a player, and I expect that to continue. Ojabo needs to stay healthy and prove he's ready to take a big step forward this summer. Isaac showed flashes of his potential when healthy as a rookie and this will be a key offseason for him.
Still, I would be surprised if the Ravens don't draft an outside linebacker. Van Noy is 34 years old, and while he's proven he still has more good football left, the Ravens will need an eventual replacement. Oweh is entering the final year of his contract. This is a loaded pass rusher class and if the best player available in any round (including the first) is an outside linebacker, Baltimore won't hesitate to call his name. Some available options at No. 27 overall could be Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart, Georgia's Mykel Williams, Marshall's Mike Green, Tennessee's James Pearce Jr., and Boston's College's Donovan Ezeiruaku. That's a lot of possibilities.
However, the pass rush isn't limited to outside linebackers. Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr stressed that in our recent interview on "The Lounge" podcast. Improvements on the defensive line, linebacker, and even the secondary can help boost the pressures and sacks.
The Ravens have more pressing needs on the defensive line than outside linebacker after the retirement of Michael Pierce and with Brent Urban still on the free agent market. Baltimore will surely draft at least one defensive lineman, and it could be a first-round pick that would dramatically change the outlook of that group. First-round possibilities include Oregon's Derrick Harmon, Ole Miss' Walter Nolen, and Michigan's Kenneth Grant.
Ryan: I could see this going either way. General Manager Eric DeCosta has moved down in the first round in three of the past seven drafts, but I wouldn't rule out Baltimore trading up.
The Ravens have 11 picks in this year's draft, including eight on Day 3, giving them flexibility to move around. If there is a clear outlier for the Ravens, DeCosta could package some Day 2 or early Day 3 capital to go get him, knowing he has a stockpile of selections later in the draft. Baltimore is also projected to receive more compensatory picks in 2026 that could be traded.
However, picking at the end of the first round can always be a dice roll because there are so many moving parts earlier in the draft. If multiple highly ranked players slip, the Ravens could move back a few slots knowing someone they like will still be there. DeCosta could also trade completely out of the first round if he believes there isn't a large delta between the player he would get at No. 27 and one in Round 2.
Mink: It's clear the Ravens want to reach contract extensions with Pro Bowlers Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum. However, I don't think there's a major rush at this time. The Ravens have until May 1 to declare whether they will pick up their fifth-year options. Once picked up, Baltimore can still work out long-term deals. Picking up Hamilton's fifth-year option seems like more of a sure bet than Linderbaum's based on the economics of the situation.
Hamilton's fifth-year option for 2026 is projected to be $18.6 million, which would be just below the top-of-the-market average for safeties. The Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield Jr. averages $21 million per season and Chargers' Derwin James is averaging $19 million.
Linderbaum's projected fifth-year option of $23.4 million is the highest of any 2022 first-round pick and would make him, by far, the highest-paid center in the league in 2026. The Chiefs' Creed Humphrey, who was drafted one year before Linderbaum, signed a four-year, $72 million contract ($18 million average) last August. The Ravens want Linderbaum in Baltimore for a long time, so they may have more incentive to work out an extension with him earlier so he's not playing on that fifth-year option.
Ryan: The Ravens will almost certainly add another inside linebacker, it's just a matter of the resources they use at the position.
Baltimore lost Malik Harrison (Steelers) and Chris Board (Giants) in free agency, and both played key defensive roles down the stretch and were consistent special teams contributors. Signing Jake Hummel helps the Ravens' depth, but I expect Baltimore to either bring in a veteran with starting (and special teams) experience or use a relatively high draft pick at inside linebacker.
Trenton Simpson earned the starting spot next to Roquan Smith last season, but his playing time dwindled late in the year. He finished the season playing almost exclusively on special teams with Harrison and Board taking over his defensive duties.
Simpson will have an opportunity during training camp to become the starter again, but I think there will be a competition with someone who isn't currently on the roster.
