Ravens 2026 Draft Strategy & 7-Round Mock Draft

Three weeks from today, the Baltimore Ravens will begin their 31st NFL Draft. As far as I’m concerned, the 23rd can’t come soon enough.

Before getting into where the Ravens might be looking on draft day, which positions are deepest, and guessing who they will ultimately select, here are a few indicators from drafts past.

Baltimore’s last five 1st-round picks were safety Malaki Starks, cornerback Nate Wiggins, wide receiver Zay Flowers, safety Kyle Hamilton, and wide receiver Rashod Bateman.

Baltimore’s last five second picks (not necessarily 2nd rounders) have been edge defender Mike Green, offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten, linebacker Trenton Simpson, center Tyler Linderbaum, and edge defender Odafe Oweh.

In the last five drafts, Baltimore’s first pick was a defensive back or wide receiver, and 80 percent of their second picks have been an edge defender or offensive lineman.

It’s no surprise to see that, because when you look at the way the NFL is going in terms of game flow, it’s becoming more and more about passing and, of course, defending the pass.

Like I said it’s no surprise, but just because a pattern is out there doesn’t mean teams have discipline to stay consistent like the Ravens do. It’s also worth noting that just because a player is drafted early does not in any way mean he will be a productive player in the NFL.

In other words, knowing what to do and having the plan and ability to execute on what to do are two different things.

I can’t help but think of the Ravens making multiple picks at offensive line and one at every defensive position. Baltimore’s average sacks allowed over the past five seasons comes in at 41. For reference, league leaders generally allow sacks in the low-20s, and the worst teams allow sacks in the low 50s. There’s so much to that number, but it still screams draft offensive linemen, early and often!

In that same time span, the Ravens have allowed an average of 349 points per season. They also had three different defensive coordinators (Martindale 2021, Macdonald 2022-23, Orr 2024-25). In fact, Baltimore has never made the playoffs when they’ve allowed more than 361 points in a season. Last year (398 points allowed) was no exception.

Who can step in, then, and help the Ravens right away? I think Trey Hendrickson is going to be the Ravens’ version of Pete Alonso. Somehow, this all-star specialist came available—at a position of need, no less—and Baltimore got him. Still, the Ravens should draft another edge rusher given recent injury and turnover at the position.

Looking ahead to where the Ravens might go in this year’s draft, I wanted to present to you all my Top 5 list at the Top 5 most important positions for the Ravens. As we know, Baltimore rarely drafts based on need, but when Lamar Jackson is in his prime and the offensive line is in desperate need of rejuvenation, they might just be forced to bypass their customary wide receiver selection in favor of a stud offensive lineman.

Here are top prospects at each of the most critical positions:

Offensive Guard

• Vega Ioane, Penn State, 6’4”, 320 lbs., 32 3/4″ arm, 10 1/2” hand
• Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon,  6’4”, 314 lbs., 33 5/8” arm, 11” hand, 1.82 second 10-yard split
• Gennings Dunker, Iowa, 6’5”, 319 lbs., 33 1/2″ arm, 10” hand, 1.83 second 10-yard split
• Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M, 6’5”, 315 lbs., 31 3/4″ arm, 9 3/4” hand, 1.76 second 10-yard split
• Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech, 6’4”, 316 lbs., 33 1/4″ arm, 10” hand, 1.81 second 10-yard split

Wide Receiver

• Makai Lemon, Southern Cal, 5’11”, 192 lbs., 30 1/2” arm, 8 3/4″ hand, 4.46 second 40-yard dash
• Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State, 6’2”, 203 lbs., 30 1/4″ arm, 9 1/8” hand
• Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee, 6’4”, 198 lbs., 32 3/8” arm, 9” hand, 4.37 second 40-yard dash
• KC Concepcion, Texas A&M, 6’0”, 196 lbs., 30 1/4″ arm, 9 1/4″ hand
• Omar Cooper, Indiana, 6’0”, 199 lbs., 30 1/4″ arm, 9 5/8” hand, 4.42 second 40-yard dash

Cornerback

• Mansoor Delane, LSU, 6’0”, 187 lbs., 30” arm, 8 7/8” hand, 4.35 second 40-yard dash
• Jermod McCoy, Tennessee, 6’1”, 188 lbs., 31 1/4″ arm, 9” hand, 4.37 second 40-yard dash
• Keith Abney II, Arizona State, 5’10”, 187 lbs., 30” arm, 9 3/4″ hand, 4.46 second 40-yard dash
• Keionte Scott, Miami (FL), 5’11”, 193 lbs., 31 3/8” arm, 9 5/8” hand, 4.33 second 40-yard dash
• Avieon Terrell*, Clemson, 5’11”, 186 lbs., 31” arm, 8 5/8” hand

*He was my No. 2 corner before his recent hamstring injury

Linebacker

• Sonny Styles, Ohio State, 6’5”, 244 lbs., 32 7/8” arm, 10” hand, 4.46 second 40-yard dash
• Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech, 6’1”, 231 lbs., 30 7/8” arm, 9 1/4″ hand, 4.57 second 40-yard dash
• Anthony Hill Jr, Texas, 6’2”, 238 lbs., 32 3/8” arm, 9 5/8” hand, 4.51 second 40-yard dash
• Josiah Trotter, Missouri, 6’2”, 237 lbs., 32 1/4″ arm, 10 1/4″ hand
• Deontae Lawson, Alabama, 6’3”, 226 lbs., 31 7/8” arm, 9 1/4″ hand

Defensive Line

• Rueben Bain, Miami (FL), 6’2”, 263 lbs., 30 7/8” arm, 9 1/8” hand
• Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, 6’2”, 326 lbs., 32 1/4″ arm, 9 3/4″ hand
• Peter Woods, Clemson, 6’2 1/2″, 298 lbs., 31 1/4″ arm, 9 1/8” hand
• LT Overton, Alabama, 6’3”, 274 lbs., 33 1/4″ arm, 10 5/8” hand
• Caleb Banks, Florida, 6’6”, 327 lbs., 35” arm, 10 7/8” hand

The good news is that the Ravens, though coming off of a losing season, are in good overall shape personnel-wise. That said, they need to “hit” on their first three picks if they want to maximize the totality of talent on their roster. Meaning, they don’t need a lot of depth, but they do have a few pressing needs at the top of their depth chart.

Given all of that, and without factoring any more free agent moves, here’s my best guess of what the Ravens should do come April 23-25, courtesy of Stick to the Model:

Round 1, Pick 18 (projected trade with Minnesota—14 overall for 18 and 49 overall) Jermod McCoy, Cornerback, Tennessee

Round 2, Pick 45 Gennings Dunker, Guard, Iowa

Round 2, Pick 49 (via Minnesota) Elijah Sarratt, Wide Receiver, Indiana

Round 3, Pick 80 Logan Jones, Center, Iowa

Round 4, Pick 115 Oscar Delp, Tight End, Georgia

Round 5, Pick 154 Bryce Boettcher, Inside Linebacker, Oregon

Round 5, Pick 162 Skyler Gill-Howard, Defensive Tackle, Texas Tech

Round 5, Pick 173 Louis Moore, Safety, Indiana

Round 5, Pick 174 Keagen Trost, Tackle, Missouri

Round 6, Pick 186 (projected trade with New York Giants—250, 253 overall, and a 2027 6th-round pick for 186 overall) Trey Moore, Outside Linebacker, Texas

Round 7, Pick 211 Luke Altmyer, Quarterback, Illinois

 

Bottom line: if Lamar Jackson stays healthy, Derrick Henry gets the ball inside the 10-yard line, Kyle Hamilton does his thing, and Mike Green takes the next step, Baltimore should be in great shape.