Mink: No, I don't think the Ravens will trade up in the first round. The media consensus on this year's draft is that there's not a big difference between a player who will be taken midway through the first round and one taken midway through the second round. There aren't as many perceived "superstars" in this year's Draft. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah reiterated this week that it's a "starter draft."
The player who I could see being tempting if he got close to No. 27 would be Arizona wide receiver Tet McMillan. According to Jeremiah, he's one of the Draft’s most polarizing players, which could make him slide. If the Ravens love him, could they pounce? Maybe, but I still think unlikely, especially considering what Baltimore already has at wide receiver.
The Ravens don't have any glaring needs that they must address in the first round. They could go in any direction, with safety, defensive lineman, outside linebacker, and cornerback being the most likely position groups to be addressed first. General Manager Eric DeCosta is in a great position to wait and let the board come to him. He could even trade back if there are several good options available when Baltimore is on the clock.
The Ravens have 11 picks, the same number they had in 2022. They made all 11 picks that year, and I expect they could very well do it again.
Brown: I think the Ravens will lean toward defense with their 11 picks. Maybe something like seven picks on defense, four on offense.
Other than adding offensive line depth, the Ravens look pretty set on that side of the ball. However, on defense they're looking closely at corners, safeties, edge rushers, defensive tackles, and linebackers.
Several mock drafts have them taking a safety in Round 1 (Malaki Starks or Nick Emmanwori), followed by a corner (Denzel Burke) or edge rusher (David Walker) in Round 2. Even if they take an offensive lineman on Day 1, I see the momentum swinging toward defense as the Draft progresses.
The league has not concluded its investigation into the allegations against Justin Tucker. However, when asked about the possibility of drafting a kicker at the NFL annual meetings, Head Coach John Harbaugh said, "There's a lot of good kickers in the draft. … We will be prepared to do that on draft day if we feel like we need to and if the right guy is there." The Ravens could also opt to sign an undrafted kicker or add a veteran.
Mink: It depends on what the Ravens get in the Draft. If Baltimore takes a first-round outside linebacker, I do not see DeCosta adding another veteran to the mix. If the Ravens don't select one on the first two days, then I could see a veteran free agent move depending on who's still out there.
But remember that Baltimore has all its outside linebackers returning from next year. There isn't an immediate need. There's a long-term need because Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, and David Ojabo are all heading into the final year of their contracts. Thus, I think this group needs the next infusion of youth more than another veteran. Plus, this is a strong and deep outside linebacker draft class. I expect the Ravens to jump in.
Brown: I understand the desire to use Derrick Henry as a battering ram on two-point conversion attempts. He's such a powerful runner and tied for the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns last year.
However, opponents also anticipate Henry getting the ball in those situations and often overload the box. That leaves Baltimore with a choice. They can run Henry even if the defense anticipates that. Or they can put the ball in Lamar Jackson's hands to utilize his dual-threat playmaking ability.
Last season, the NFL success rate on two-point conversion attempts was 40%, down from a 50% success rate in 2023. The Ravens' success rate last season was just 20%, tied for 23rd in the league. Whether or not they utilize Henry more often on two-point attempts next season, the Ravens know they need to be more successful converting them.
