2024 Ravens Draft Archives – A Marketplace for Ideas

Ravens Draft Reflections, and More

Grading draft classes immediately after the draft is a pointless exercise. Instead, let’s look at who the Ravens selected by considering the following question. Were alternative players available at any selection who were better players and/or better fits for the 2024 Ravens? I offer some draft reflections, and a bit more.

For the Ravens, the first round went just about as expected. Each of the first round caliber offensive tackles were off the board by pick 30. Nate Wiggins, given that he upped his weight by almost ten pounds, was the correct choice. And a good one at that. The Ravens rightly have every expectation of Wiggins becoming a top corner. He’s an exciting addition and should help the Ravens immediately. Continue reading “Ravens Draft Reflections, and More”

Ravens 2024 Draft – Round 1 Recap, Day Two Thoughts

Day one of the Ravens draft is signed, sealed, and delivered. Right out of the gate I’ll confess that my research on Nate Wiggins missed the most important fact behind my Wiggins conclusion. I failed to catch that Wiggins had put on ten pounds of weight, post-Combine. At 183 pounds, the conclusion changes. As I put it in my detailed Wiggins report: “If they [the Ravens] are convinced they can bulk Wiggins up (and he’s young enough to think he might naturally add eight to ten pounds anyway) then he’s worth the pick.” Continue reading “Ravens 2024 Draft – Round 1 Recap, Day Two Thoughts”

Ravens 2024 Draft Big Board!

The Ravens 2024 Draft Big Board is locked in. Let’s start with a brief review of the Ravens picks and the amount of draft capital they possess. I’m glad this fun process is over! And by committing me to writing, it shows how little I actually know. First, a preliminary.

Ravens Draft Slots and Draft Capital

The Ravens have one pick in each of the first three rounds, two fourth rounders (one from Denver), one fifth rounder, one sixth and two sevenths. I value those picks under the points model of both the “Jimmy Johnson” model and the Rich Hill model. Continue reading “Ravens 2024 Draft Big Board!”

Inside Linebacker Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft

The inside linebacker prospects in the 2024 NFL draft are reviewed from the perspective of the Baltimore Ravens. Previous position analyses are listed below:

Offensive Players:
Running backs are reviewed here.
Wide receivers are reviewed here.
Tackles are reviewed here.
Guards are reviewed here.

Defensive Players:
Defensive linemen are reviewed here.
Edge linebackers are reviewed here.
Cornerbacks are reviewed here.
Safeties are reviewed here.

Ravens Current Inside Linebacker Situation and Need

The Ravens lost both Patrick Queen and Del’Shawn Phillips from their 2023 inside linebacker room. Malik Harrison is always available if need be. They replaced Phillips with Chris Board. Trenton Simpson will get the opportunity to start in Queen’s place. There is clearly at least one backup inside linebacker slot available, and that person should also play special teams. Continue reading “Inside Linebacker Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft”

Defensive Line Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft

The defensive line prospects in the 2024 NFL draft are reviewed from the perspective of the Baltimore Ravens. Previous position analyses are listed below:

Offensive Players:
Running backs are reviewed here.
Wide receivers are reviewed here.
Tackles are reviewed here.
Guards are reviewed here.

Defensive Players:
Edge linebackers are reviewed here.
Cornerbacks are reviewed here.
Safeties are reviewed here.

The Ravens Current Defensive Line Situation and Need

Defensive line is one of the positions that is fairly well settled going into the 2024 season. The Ravens are bringing back their entire 2023 defensive front: Michael Pierce, Justin Madubuike, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington, and Brent Urban. Pierce and Urban are likely in their last seasons in Baltimore, and it’s conceivable that Urban could be forced off the roster this year depending on who else the Ravens might bring in. The Ravens will very likely draft at least one defensive line prospect. Continue reading “Defensive Line Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft”

Running Back Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft

The running back prospects in the 2024 NFL draft are reviewed from the Baltimore Ravens perspective. Previous position analyses are listed below:

Offensive Players:
Wide receivers are reviewed here.
Tackles are reviewed here.
Guards are reviewed here.

Defensive Players:
Edge linebackers are reviewed here.
Cornerbacks are reviewed here.
Safeties are reviewed here.

The Ravens Current Running Back Situation and Need

The Ravens currently have two NFL caliber running backs on their roster. Derrick Henry is bound to be a traditional RB1 and is likely to average 20 or so carries per game. Justice Hill will get occasional carries and will be the third day specialist. We don’t know when, or whether, Keaton Mitchell will be fit enough to get back into the rotation. At the very least, the Ravens needs to add one rotational back to the running back room. Among the veteran free agents remaining, no one really stands out who could likely help the Ravens. Rashaad Penny probably has the most talent, but his health history is so poor one just wouldn’t rely on him. Continue reading “Running Back Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft”

Safety Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft

The safety prospects in the 2024 NFL draft are reviewed below from the Ravens perspective. Previous position analyses are listed below.

Offensive Players:
Tackles are reviewed here.
Guards are reviewed here.

Defensive Players:
Edge Linebackers are reviewed here.
Cornerbacks are reviewed here.

The Ravens Current Safety Situation and Need

The Ravens have two high end safeties. At first glance, the position doesn’t appear to be one of high need. Both Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams have position versatility. Even though Williams is thought of as a traditional free safety, he can play up towards the box. Last year, he was hampered by his pectoral injury and unable to compete effectively as a tackler. Hamilton is obviously elite up in the box and at the nickel. Though he played some back end to acceptable effect last year, he’s most destructive and impactful near the line. Continue reading “Safety Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft”

Cornerback Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft

The cornerback prospects in the 2024 NFL draft are reviewed below from the Ravens perspective. Previous position analyses are listed below.

Offensive Players:
Tackles are reviewed here.
Guards are reviewed here.

Defensive Players:
Edge linebackers are reviewed here.

The Ravens Current Cornerback Situation and Need

Two starter cornerback slots are currently filled, with Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens. Beyond that, the cornerback room is very unsettled. The Ravens resigned Arthur Maulet, who will certainly see time in the slot. Both Pepe Williams and Jalyn Armour-Davis, neither of whom made any contribution in 2023, will get another shot to make the team (arguably, the last chance for each). Williams, as I’ve claimed, could contribute in the slot. Armour-Davis has played so little and been so injury prone with soft tissue problems that I would not count on him at all. Continue reading “Cornerback Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft”

Edge Linebacker Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft

The edge linebacker prospects in the 2024 NFL draft are reviewed below from the Ravens perspective.

The offensive tackle prospects were previously reviewed here.
The guard prospects were previously reviewed here.

If time permits there are a few additional lower-tier edge linebacker prospects who I will add here.

Ravens Current Situation and Need at Edge Linebacker

Currently, the Ravens have Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, Kyle Van Noy, Tavius Robinson, Malik Harrison, and Malik Hamm. Oweh is a clear starter heading into 2024 and, I believe, on the verge of a complete breakthrough. You can read more about my Oweh thoughts here. But at this point, there is no obvious second starter. Harrison is a run defender only. Ojabo is a complete unknown. Van Noy, in a perfect world, is a situational pass rusher. Robinson has not shown any elite trait. And Hamm, who highlighted some talent in the 2023 exhibition season (including a nice spin move) has not played an NFL down. Continue reading “Edge Linebacker Prospects – Ravens 2024 Draft”