For the third time since 1998, the Ravens finished last in the AFC North after an 8-9 2021 campaign. After being hit with one of the worst injury bugs in the league’s recent history, the Ravens managed to enter December with an 8-3 record, Lamar Jackson leading the way.
Six games later, the Ravens were without Jackson and a playoff spot. Missing the playoffs should be treated as a blessing for the Baltimore faithful since 20 players were already on the injured reserve list; along with stepping into an offseason with the potential to set up for a third Super Bowl title in Baltimore.
Fans love when new players are added to the roster, especially when they come from the NFL Draft. The Ravens have needs at crucial positions on both sides of the ball, luckily, they have seven picks in the first four rounds. Ravens hold the 14th overall pick, the highest they’ve selected since 2016 (6th OT Ronnie Stanley).
The top 3 needs are offensive tackle, defensive tackle, and cornerback. Which is most important? It depends on who you’re asking. Each position’s lack of production played a role in the late-season collapse.
Lamar Jackson was sacked 38 times in 12 games, the most times in his career. Alejandro Villanueva has one more year on his contract but his below-average performance forces the Ravens to bring in youth at the offensive tackle position. Ronnie Stanley is the left tackle of the future for the Ravens but has only started seven games in the last two seasons. Another young tackle helps build consistency in an offensive line that has been a revolving door since Jackson’s MVP campaign.
OT Small Board
- Ikem Ekwonu, NC State – He led the country in pancakes blocks and some consider him to be the best run-blocking tackle in the country. Pair that with Stanley, who is considered to be the best pass-blocking tackle in football, it enhance the ravens deadly RPO attack.
- Charles Cross, Mississippi State – Cross could be off the board before the Ravens can catch him at #14, but if he does land there, he could add to the Ravens pass-blocking scheme.
- Evan Neal, Alabama – The 6’7’’ 350lb Neal is expected to be a Top 5 pick but with a few assets, the Ravens could jump a couple of spots if they really see Neal as a cornerstone piece to the passing attack.
The Ravens had the best and worst defense in the league; first in rush defense and last in pass defense. With any great defense, it start at the line of scrimmage. A dominant defensive line can offset any shortcomings in the second and third levels of the defense. The Ravens were at the bottom of the barrel when it came to putting pressure on the quarterback, which isn’t the fault of the defensive tackle, but rebuilding the middle of the line is a necessity.
DL Small Board
- Demarvin Leal, Texas A&M – Leal is regarded as the lone standout first-round defensive lineman. He was a highly-touted recruit entering college and carries that same status into the NFL. With the potential of a future pro-bowler, Leal can bring some new energy to the Ravens front seven.
- Jordan Davis, Georgia – Davis will walk into the draft as one of the “sexy picks” for his frame and dominant play in the middle. Many have concerns about Davis’s motor but his 6’7’’ 350lb frame makes him still desirable.
Not many interior defensive linemen are valued high enough for the Ravens to use their pick on them. If the Ravens decided to wait until later in the draft for an interior lineman, Jermayne Lole (Arizona State) and Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma) look like mid-round picks with high potential.
Staying on the defensive side of the ball, the secondary of the Ravens was bombed and depleted. To start the season, the Ravens were without two of their best corners and by the end of the season, they were calling guys off the street. Even the great Marlon Humphrey struggled at times this season, especially against Joe Burrow and the rest of the Cincinnati Bengals’ passing attack. Derek Stingley (LSU) is at the top of the rankings for CBs entering the draft and is expected to be a top-three pick, but there are still first-round value players available on the board.
CB Small Board
- Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati – According to scouting reports he is undersized at 188lbs but Gardner has traits that can bolster the Ravens’ pass coverage. He’s aggressive and can move with his long 6’2 frame. As we get closer to the draft, don’t be surprised if Gardner’s name is consistently connected to the Ravens.
- Trent McDuffie, Washington – McDuffie is listed at 5’11’’ but he plays bigger than listed. At pick 14, he may not show the value on paper but in the film, he has stand-out ability.
- Kaiir Elam, Florida – His uncle, Matt, was drafted in the first round by the Ravens in 2013. If Elam has a solid pre-draft season, his name could be connected to the Ravens more.
Overall, the Ravens’ spot in the draft is high enough for them to find a high-valuable pick, potentially at a steal. The position with the most value for the Ravens looks to be the offensive tackle position, which is arguably the most important need heading into the offseason.
BSL Analyst
I started this journey as a writer in 2012, establishing my brand Fan-i Sports, which stands as a multi-media sports brand based out of Baltimore, Maryland. I wrote articles, opinionated columns, developed hip-hop compilation mixtapes, and everything else I could use to communicate in the steady changing (and crowded) world of sports media. From there, I built a small following, which allowed me to turn Fan-i Sports into a legit company in the state of Maryland, leading to my career as a sports journalist.