Some of my favorite sporting events take place in April – the Final Four, the Masters, and the NFL Draft.
While the spotlight is on college basketball this weekend, the Draft will take center stage later this month (April 24-26). Here are my thoughts on the Ravens after my return from the NFL's annual meetings, all in 50 words or less:
- It was not surprising that Head Coach John Harbaugh “fully expects” Mark Andrews to be a Raven in 2025. Baltimore has the deepest tight end room in the NFL. A team with Super Bowl aspirations in 2025 shouldn't be eager to tinker with its tight ends.
- Nevertheless, the Ravens have tough decisions down the road. Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar are all entering contract years. Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals is now reportedly the highest-paid tight end. The stock market is down, but the price for tight ends is trending up.
- McBride caught 111 passes in 2024 but had just two touchdown receptions. Andrews tied for fourth in the league with 11 touchdowns catches, while Likely had six. There's no mystery why the Ravens love having both.
- Veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie sounded like he was surprised the Tennessee Titans released him. I think he'll play well for the Ravens if he stays healthy. He's a proven player with a chip on his shoulder.
- Awuzie dealt with injuries last year, as did young Ravens corners T.J. Tampa and Jalyn Armour-Davis. Depth at the cornerback position is vital, which is another reason I expect Baltimore to draft at least one.
- Calias Campbell signed with the Cardinals this week, but it makes sense for the Ravens to add someone younger. They're looking for depth after Michael Pierce's retirement, and Campbell will turn 39 years old in September.
- Harbaugh said he expects Trenton Simpson to "take a big step" this year at inside linebacker. Simpson's playing time diminished late in 2024, but he's only entering his third year. Harbaugh said Simpson's in "phenomenal" shape. That's a good sign.
- Safety Nick Emmanwori remains a popular choice for Baltimore in mock drafts. I think it's 50-50 Emmanwori will still be there at No. 27 after his dazzling Combine performance. But a Kyle Hamilton-Emmanwori tandem? The Ravens' athleticism at safety would be off the charts.
- Another draft prospect to watch is edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, who was teammates with Zay Flowers for two years at Boston College. Ezeiruaku had 16.5 sacks in 2024, and Pass Rush Coach Chuck Smith would have another young talent to develop.
- The Ravens also had 11 picks in 2022 and nine are still with them – Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum, Likely, Travis Jones, Daniel Faalele, Kolar, Armour-Davis, David Ojabo, and Jordan Stout. Another draft class that strong could lead to a Lombardi Trophy.
