When you look forward to the 2023 Baltimore Ravens, what do you see?
The baseline of what Ravens fans have come to expect is a double digit win season, a Top 10 defense, a Top 3 special teams unit, and an offense that, while hot and cold, makes more plays that it misses.
Although it’s safe to say the nucleus the Ravens are working with is a good one, there’s a lot of work to be done before the start of 2023. As of Monday morning, Baltimore faces the possibility of 16 unrestricted free agents not being with them in the Fall. Lamar Jackson, Marcus Peters, Ben Powers, and Justin Houston mark the most notable names on that list.
Peters is an interesting name for a couple reason. First off, his average annual value is currently listed at $14 million (the 12th-highest in football at his position). He’s a good player, but that’s a lot of money. The good news: he’s forced nine turnovers and broken up 15 passes in the last two seasons. The bad news: he’s missed seven games in that same time frame. I think most people would agree Peters is worth re-signing, but as Eric DeCosta says, “You can never have enough good corners.”
Enter: Deonte Banks. A product of Edgewood High School and the University of Maryland, Banks knows what it means to earn his keep. He’s plays like a Raven. He’s not perfect but he’s smart, tough, athletic, and hungry to win.
Detractors will say he only has two career interceptions in four years at College Park. His supporters will say he’s trending upward, breaking up eight passes this past season and coming off an exceptional combine performance. A 4.35-second 40-yard dash and a 42-inch vertical leap is hard to fathom, but that’s the kind of talent Banks displayed in Indy.
Okay, so he’s local, a good player with elite athleticism. Great. Does he fit in Mike Macdonald’s system? What about the other corners the Ravens have coming off of injury?
Let’s start with the latter. Trading a very good young corner in Shaun Wade before the 2021 season started showed the Ravens trust their defensive back evaluations. Unfortunately for them, the fluke of all flukes hit them that year with regards to injuries. Now with Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Peters in the mix, the Ravens can be confident in taking on an additional cornerback, knowing the back end of their defense is secure.
As far as his fit in Macdonald’s system, I think Banks would be a natural. Specifically, he’s very good in man coverage. What stands out most to me is his patience and change of direction. He’s able to sort through various releases and stay in great leverage on vertical routes. When playing off the ball, he’s able to read route breaks and redirect in time to make a play on the ball. He’s a very willing tackler and an effective blitzer when called upon to do so.
A lot of missed plays by defensive backs occur when they mistime a play on the football. Banks shows impressive timing when contesting the catch point. He’s composed but urgent.
As a matter of fact, when watching Banks (6’2”, 205 pounds), I’m reminded of Marlon Humphrey (6’1”, 205 pounds):
- Humphrey’s last year at Alabama: 36 tackles, 7 passes defensed, 2 interceptions
- Banks’ last year at Maryland: 38 tackles, 9 passes defensed, 1 interception
Now, we look to availability. Will he be on the board when the Ravens make their selection at No. 22? Banks was on the precipice of being drafted in the first round before his outstanding combine. He should absolutely be taken in the first round, and as could go as high as 17 to the Steelers. All that to say, if the Ravens want him, they’ll have a good chance of getting him without having to trade up.
Banks is a good enough player to be drafted in the first round and he should be available when the Ravens make their first round selection. The last box to be checked would be if he’s the best player available. In other words, does Baltimore think Banks is the right choice in the event a top wide receiver or edge rusher is also on the board at that time.
Three players are in the way of that happening, in my opinion, and they’re all wide receivers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jordan Addison, and Zay Flowers, my wide receivers 1-3, should all be ahead of Banks in the event they’re on the board when the Ravens are on the clock in Round 1. Those three players present the opportunity to infuse the Ravens offense with dynamic receiver play—something the franchise has been searching for every year since they came to Baltimore in 1996.
It seems like two of those players will be gone in the Top 20, if not all three. I suspect Addison and Banks will be on the board as the Ravens pick approaches. Unfortunately, the Buccaneers (19) and the Seahawks (20) could both make moves for a wideout. This is one more potential scenario that could move Banks into play for Baltimore at 22.
At the end of the day, drafting Banks wouldn’t be filling a primary need, but it very well may represent drafting the best player available which is something the Ravens have always prioritized. Another reason he may be Baltimore’s first choice is because the wide receiver group this year, while maybe not top-heavy, is fairly deep. I think of a guy like A.T. Perry (Wake Forest) or Puka Nacua (BYU) as guys who may go in the middle rounds but could definitely give the Ravens offense a boost while also allowing them to make that “BPA” choice of Banks in the first round.
My personal tiebreaker for any draft choice the Ravens make this year is the answer to this question: Which player gives them the best chance to win in the playoffs?
That’s what this team is built for. That’s what they need to do.
Period.
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.