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The only focusing on a half of the field comes from what he was taught. It’s hard to unlearn that at 27.

Mock draft season is over. The real thing begins Thursday night in Detroit, which means it’s time to put the pencils down and give one last prediction. After sifting through all the information, identifying the best prospects and pondering which teams will be motivated to shake up the board, here’s our best guess at how the first 32 picks will play out: 1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Caleb Williams, QB, Southern California With a talented offense and an ascending defense, Chicago has a chance to be good right away with Williams under center. The question is, how aggressive will the Bears be with only three remaining picks at Nos. 9, 75 and 122? 2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU Nobody knows for sure what the Commanders will do, but Daniels has emerged as the betting favorite to be new general manager Adam Peters’ first pick. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner said he’d be “blessed” to go to Washington, which has an abundance of picks in the top 100 to build around its franchise quarterback. 3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina The Patriots could look to trade down if they are blown away by an offer, but ownership will likely prefer to stick and pick a quarterback. Maye has the mobility, arm strength and poise to be a star, and he could even sit for a while behind Jacoby Brissett as he works on his technique. 4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State The Cardinals have enough draft picks to maneuver up and down the board the way general manager Monti Ossenfort did last year, but sometimes it makes the most sense to stay put. Arizona needs blue-chip talent, and Harrison is the consensus No. 1 player among a database of 96 analysts, according to Arif Hasan of Wide Left. 5. Minnesota Vikings (mock trade via LA Chargers): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan This is a trade that makes sense for both teams. The Vikings need a quarterback, and new coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz need more picks to rebuild a depleted roster. McCarthy might not be coach Kevin O’Connell’s preferred prospect, but he’s certainly more exciting than Sam Darnold. 6. New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington My guess is the Giants only want to trade up for a quarterback if it means landing Maye, and he’s gone. So why Odunze over Nabers? While not as explosive, Odunze is a better “X” receiver who can win on the outside and make catches in traffic, which would be a better complement to the shifty and fast receivers the Giants already have. 7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame As good as this offensive line class is, this pick should be a no-brainer for the Titans. Alt is a tier above the other pass protectors in this class and should be a cornerstone piece for new coach Brian Callahan and his father, renowned offensive line coach Bill Callahan. 8. New York Jets (mock trade via Atlanta): Malik Nabers, WR, LSU Can you name any of the Jets’ wide receivers behind Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams? For this all-in strategy to work, quarterback Aaron Rodgers needs more playmakers. Nabers’ speed and explosiveness trump a desire to draft an insurance policy behind 33-year-old tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses. 9. Chicago Bears: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas GM Ryan Poles might see the benefit in trading down and acquiring more picks, but there’s also a chance to grab the best defensive player in the draft. Murphy can be the dominant interior penetrator coach Matt Eberflus craves. 10. Atlanta Falcons (mock trade via NY Jets): Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA The Falcons move down a few spots and still get the draft’s top pass rusher. Latu seems to have been given the all-clear after his neck injury in college, giving Atlanta its best edge rusher since John Abraham was in town. 11. Los Angeles Chargers (mock trade via Minnesota): JC Latham, OT/G, Alabama Harbaugh believes the offensive line is the foundation of his team. With his size and strength, Latham might have the highest ceiling of any blocker in this class and can help establish a road-grading mentality on offense. 12. Los Angeles Rams (mock trade via Denver): Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia The Rams have a first-round pick for the first time since 2016, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to be patient. Moving up to pair the versatile, explosive Bowers with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp is a dream scenario for coach Sean McVay as he seeks another Super Bowl run with quarterback Matthew Stafford. 13. Las Vegas Raiders: Taliese Fuaga, OT/G, Oregon State If the Raiders don’t find a way to trade up for a quarterback, perhaps they’d take one here. But that feels a little rich for Oregon’s Bo Nix or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., who are outside of the top 30 in the consensus rankings. Las Vegas needs a starting right tackle, and Fuaga can step in immediately. 14. New Orleans Saints: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State Offensive line is the most glaring need for New Orleans considering the questionable health of Ryan Ramczyk and the disappointing play of Trevor Penning. Fashanu makes too much sense from both a need and value standpoint. 15. Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo The Colts could be a surprise team that moves up to draft one of the top wide receivers or Bowers, but cornerback is a much more glaring need. Mitchell is a big, fast and aggressive player who fits the mold for traits-minded GM Chris Ballard. 16. Philadelphia Eagles (mock trade via Seattle): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama When GM Howie Roseman finds a player he likes, he isn’t afraid to move up to get him. The Eagles’ aging secondary was one of the league’s worst down the stretch last season and could use an infusion of young talent. 17. Green Bay Packers (mock trade via Jacksonville): Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia The Packers need to find a long-term replacement for left tackle David Bakhtiari. There’s a clear tier break after Mims at tackle, which might incentivize Green Bay to trade up and secure a player with rare size and movement skills who can develop into a star. 18. Cincinnati Bengals: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas Is this too early for Worthy? Probably. Will a team talk itself into getting the most out of his NFL scouting combine-record 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash? Absolutely. The Bengals are an intriguing fit for Worthy alongside stars Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the latter of whom might not be in town beyond this season after requesting a trade. 19. Denver Broncos (mock trade via LA Rams): Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama The Broncos still need a quarterback after trading for Zach Wilson, but they don’t take one here. Turner fills a glaring need at pass rusher for a defense that has few building blocks on top of standout cornerback Patrick Surtain II. 20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu, OT/G, Washington The Steelers moved up for offensive tackle Broderick Jones last year, but this time they can stick and pick. Fautanu is athletic, aggressive and has the versatility to play all five spots along the line. 21. Arizona Cardinals (mock trade via Miami): Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State With a chance to add one of the draft’s premier pass rushers, the Cardinals make a move. Verse, a former unranked recruit and Albany transfer, has the tools to become the team’s best defensive player sooner than later. 22. Seattle Seahawks (mock trade via Philadelphia): Graham Barton, G/C, Duke As tempting as it might be for new coach Mike Macdonald to build his defense, the Seahawks can’t wait very long to address their offensive line. Barton can slot in at center or guard and has experience at tackle in case of emergency. 23. Los Angeles Chargers (mock trade via Minnesota): Cooper DeJean, CB/S, Iowa New Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter had a lot of success at Michigan with versatile defensive backs such as Dax Hill and Mike Sainristil. DeJean is an elite athlete who could line up all over the secondary and make plays. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ 5 biggest needs entering NFL draft and how they could fill them Baltimore Ravens | Grading the Ravens’ three most recent drafts, from Rashod Bateman to Andrew Vorhees Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Drafting offensive linemen who can protect Ravens QB Lamar Jackson must be a priority | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens roundtable: Answering NFL draft questions and grading Eric DeCosta Baltimore Ravens | Why the NFL draft is so important for the Ravens, both this year and next 24. Buffalo Bills (mock trade via Dallas): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU After losing Gabe Davis and trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, the Bills see a chance to move up and grab their next impact receiver. Thomas is a dangerous vertical threat who has the traits to develop into a true No. 1. 25. Jacksonville Jaguars (mock trade via Green Bay): Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas It wouldn’t be shocking to see GM Trent Baalke go the other direction and make an aggressive trade up for a cornerback or one of the top wideouts. In this scenario, the Jaguars move down and come away with a prospect who has the size and movement skills to be an All-Pro-caliber receiver with more consistent effort. 26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State Robinson doesn’t have the size or production of a typical first-round pass rusher, but the Gaithersburg native and Maryland transfer has rare athleticism and quickness to consistently beat blockers off the edge. 27. Miami Dolphins (mock trade via Arizona, Houston): Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois The Dolphins trade down and still come away with a top prospect at a position of need. Newton is a touch undersized for the position, but he can still shed blocks with the best of ’em and would help fill Christian Wilkins’ big shoes in the middle of the defense. 28. Dallas Cowboys (mock trade via Buffalo): Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma There’s a lot of pressure on the Cowboys to come away with multiple starters in this draft, and that starts with figuring out the offensive line. Guyton might not be ready to start at left tackle right away, but his size and athleticism are worth betting on. 29. Washington Commanders (mock trade via Detroit): Jordan Morgan, OT/G, Arizona ESPN analyst Jordan Reid said Washington trading into the first round is the “worst kept secret” in the draft. With several tackle-needy teams ahead of them, the Commanders make a move to secure Morgan, a smooth mover who has the versatility to play guard or tackle. 30. Ravens: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama Maybe it’s unrealistic to expect the Ravens to land a player as highly ranked as McKinstry, but sometimes that’s just how the board falls. With Marlon Humphrey coming off an injury-riddled season and Brandon Stephens entering a contract year, the Ravens need to bolster their depth at cornerback. 31. San Francisco 49ers: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina It would come as a surprise if the 49ers traded Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk, but neither is signed beyond 2025. Legette is big, fast and explosive with the ball in his hands, and would provide valuable insurance if San Francisco decides to move on from one of its top two receivers. 32. Kansas City Chiefs: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU Entering the draft, the Chiefs’ top option at left tackle is 2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris. Suamataia is far from a finished product, but the former five-star recruit is an explosive athlete with room to grow who can develop into a reliable starter. 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I'm fine with his running for the most part. He just got caught trying to do too much and either would not run when he should have, holding the ball too long, getting sacked. Or He would just focus in the pocket on one side of the field for so long, he would get sacked. The part I agree with you on is his pocket awareness, which sucks. It has led to him being sacked, fumbling, quite often. Just a slight move up or over would not only give his linemen a chance to move their men past him, or keep the strip sack from happening.

The Ravens’ draft board is mostly set at this point. Save for a few “tweaks,” as general manager Eric DeCosta put it earlier this month, they have a pretty good idea of whom they will draft at No. 30 in the first round and beyond, with adjustments made along the way based on who’s still available. Unlike last year, when Baltimore entered the draft with just five picks — its fewest since 1999 — DeCosta has nine selections this time. Given the various holes on the roster after more than a dozen players from last year’s 13-4 team headed elsewhere because of free agency or other moves, the Ravens will need every one of them. If they are to compete for another AFC North title and their first Super Bowl appearance in more than a decade, they have to find several players who can contribute as rookies, and in some cases significantly so. That’s just one reason DeCosta could look to add even more picks to this year’s haul with a draft day trade or two, with the belief that the more picks he has, the more likely he can find players who can make an immediate impact. “It’s great to have additional picks,” DeCosta said during the team’s predraft news conference two weeks ago. “You certainly have to have players that you covet and that you want to draft. So, that’s always a factor with every draft. “I always think about it as, ‘What picks do you need to get the players that you want to take?’ You can have some great picks, but if the board doesn’t fall the right way, and you’re looking at a bunch of players that aren’t any better than the players you have on your roster, those picks don’t really help you very much. I like the idea of having more picks, but I want to have more picks in a specific range in the draft. If we can get that done, then I could see us being in a good position to really maximize our chances to find good players.” In terms of those players and what the Ravens need most, here’s a look at the positions they’re most likely to fill in the draft, which begins Thursday night in Detroit. Offensive line With three starters from last season’s line having departed via free agency or trade, this is easily the Ravens’ biggest need in terms of sheer volume. Gone are guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler, signing lucrative deals with the New York Jets and Detroit Lions, respectively, while right tackle Morgan Moses was dealt to the Jets in a draft pick swap. Coach John Harbaugh said earlier this month that there are “absolutely” young players already on the roster who can step in, but all of them have question marks. Is Daniel Faalele ready to take a sizable leap forward in Year 3 to become an every-down starter at tackle? Did Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu improve enough from his rookie year after getting beaten out by Simpson last summer? How will guard Andrew Vorhees fare after missing his rookie season because of a torn ACL? Baltimore has versatile veterans in Patrick Mekari and Josh Jones, but they are mostly rotational players. The good news for Baltimore is that the two deepest positions of this draft class are offensive line and wide receiver. The Ravens have also drafted at least two offensive linemen in six of the past eight drafts, so don’t expect this one to be any different. Ravens coach John Harbaugh talks with wide receiver Rashod Bateman during practice last season. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Wide receiver There’s certainly an argument to be made that this is the Ravens’ biggest need, with second-year receiver Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and unspectacular but dependable veteran Nelson Agholor the top three on the depth chart and the group thin after that. The only other receivers on the roster are Tylan Wallace, who has played mostly on special teams his first three seasons, and Sean Ryan, who played zero snaps as a rookie last year. The good news is, it’s a deep class. There should be plenty of opportunities for the Ravens to add an immediate contributor to this group, whether that’s early in the draft or in the middle rounds. Given the abundance of offensive linemen and receivers, it’s possible Baltimore could trade out of the first round, acquire an extra pick or two and bolster both positions. Edge rusher The Ravens made a smart decision to bring back veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who had a career-high nine sacks last season. Signed for $9 million over two years, he’s a much more affordable option than Jadeveon Clowney, whom the Carolina Panthers are paying $20 million over two seasons after he recorded 9 1/2 sacks for the Ravens last year. There are questions about the rest of the Ravens’ pass rushers, though, including whether Odafe Oweh can somehow find consistency in Year 4 and if David Ojabo can remain healthy after essentially missing his first two seasons because of injuries. Baltimore has a history of signing veteran pass rushers during the summer and it’s a route they’ll likely take again with some options still out there, including Emmanuel Ogbah, Yannick Ngakoue and Shaq Lawson. Unlike the offensive line and wide receiver class, this is not a deep draft or even one with high-end talent. Consider the strong chance that the top pass rushers will likely be off the board before the Ravens are on the clock, and it’s less likely they’ll find a major contributor via the draft. With safety Geno Stone, right, in Cincinnati and cornerback Brandon Stephens, left, entering the final year of his deal, the Ravens need reinforcements in the secondary. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Cornerback The Ravens are in good shape with Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens on the outside and Arthur Maulet returning in the slot. Baltimore also signed free agent Ka’Dar Hollman, though the 29-year-old has just two starts across three seasons and has mostly played special teams and as a depth piece in the defensive backfield. Beyond that, the group, much like the receiving corps, is thin. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | 2024 NFL mock draft (Version 6.0): Connecting the dots for one last first-round projection Baltimore Ravens | Grading the Ravens’ three most recent drafts, from Rashod Bateman to Andrew Vorhees Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis of the Ravens’ contract extension for WR Rashod Bateman Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman signs contract extension, keeping him in Baltimore through 2026 Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Drafting offensive linemen who can protect Ravens QB Lamar Jackson must be a priority | COMMENTARY Things only get more concerning when factoring in Humphrey’s age (he turns 28 in July), recent injuries (foot and calf in 2023) and pricey contract ($22.8 million cap hit in 2024). Stephens, meanwhile, is set to become a free agent after this upcoming season and could become cost-prohibitive given rising contract figures and other players who will become extension-eligible at the same time, notably All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum. Damarion “Pepe” Williams and Jalyn Armour-Davis, meanwhile, have struggled to be consistent, both in their play and ability to stay on the field. The Ravens like to say they take a “best player available” approach in the draft, and a cornerback such as Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry might check that box near the end of Round 1. Safety Much like cornerback, Baltimore has no concern with its top two players at the position, Hamilton and Marcus Williams. But the Ravens like to use three safeties, and Geno Stone’s departure to the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals leaves a void. The Ravens have Ar’Darius Washington, but he was used primarily in the slot last season. Stephens, originally tabbed for a safety role last year, gives them flexibility, but moving him would stress the outside. If either Hamilton or Williams gets injured, as the latter did last year, there would be a big problem. Adding another player to the rotation either in free agency or the draft makes sense. NFL draft Round 1: Thursday, 8 p.m. Rounds 2-3: Friday, 7 p.m. Rounds 4-7: Saturday, noon TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network Ravens draft picks Round 1: No. 30 Round 2: No. 62 Round 3: No. 93 Round 4: No. 113 (from Denver Broncos through Jets) Round 4: No. 130 Round 5: No. 165 Round 6: No. 218 Round 7: No. 228 (from Jets) Round 7: No. 250 View the full article

Different drafts serve different purposes for the Ravens as they persist with their mission to contend every season. Last year, with no second-round pick and only six picks total, general manager Eric DeCosta went looking for bets that might pay off in 2024 or 2025. Going into this year, DeCosta has made it plain that he sees the next two pick-rich drafts as major opportunities to restock his roster depth. As we guess how DeCosta might go about that mission, it’s useful to look at his recent past as a drafter. Which picks did he nail? Where were his blind spots? Did the Ravens get what they needed out of each draft? With that in mind, let’s review every one of the team’s picks and every one of its drafts as a whole going back to 2021. 2021 Rashod Bateman (Round 1, pick 27) Bateman was a durable, productive pass catcher at Minnesota, praised for his attention to detail as a route runner and capable of busting free downfield. He was expected to fit seamlessly with Marquise Brown to give Lamar Jackson an exciting set of young targets. Over three seasons, we have seen all the talent that put Bateman in this spot, but his rookie totals of 46 catches and 515 yards remain career highs, in part because of terrible injury luck and in part because his chemistry with Jackson has yet to click consistently. Data showed Bateman routinely separating from defensive backs last season, but he did not see increased targets and finished with just one touchdown catch. DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh have said they expect a major leap from Bateman this season, and the Ravens backed up those statements by signing him to an extension through 2026. Grade: C Odafe Oweh (Round 1, pick 31) With a pick they obtained by trading starting right tackle Orlando Brown Jr., the Ravens took one of the draft’s most spectacular physical talents. The two numbers everyone knew about Oweh? Zero sacks in his final season at Penn State and the 4.36-second 40-yard dash he ran at 6 feet 5 and 257 pounds. In reality, he has been neither boom nor bust over three seasons in Baltimore. The Ravens probably hoped for more than 13 sacks in 45 games, but Oweh’s underlying pressure numbers are better than that, and last season was his best. He’s a candidate to break out, much as his pal, Justin Madubuike, did in 2023. The Ravens face a vexing decision on his fifth-year option. Grade: B- Ben Cleveland (Round 3, pick 94) Harbaugh gushed about this pick, believing the Ravens had obtained a perfect inside mauler to clear space for their runners. Cleveland has struggled to get on the field, however, because of injuries, lackluster conditioning and subpar mobility. To his credit, he has held up fairly well when called to duty, and he will have a real chance to start at guard in the last season of his rookie deal. Grade: C- Brandon Stephens (Round 3, pick 104) Stephens’ versatility and pugnacious style made him an intriguing developmental prospect for the secondary, but the converted running back was an obscurity to many draft watchers. Stephens blossomed in his third season, erasing fears over the team’s lack of secondary depth by seizing a starting cornerback job and delivering above-average performance. He will enter 2024 as a starter at a premium position with a chance to earn a tasty deal next offseason. Grade: A- Ravens vs. LionsKenneth K. Lam/Baltimore SunRavens cornerback Brandon Stephens blossomed in his third season. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Tylan Wallace (Round 4, pick 131) Pundits and fans loved Wallace as a potential value play at wide receiver coming off a productive career at Oklahoma State. He didn’t play much his first two seasons but fought his way off the roster bubble last summer and made one of the most exciting plays of 2023 with his walk-off punt return against the Los Angeles Rams. Grade: C+ Shaun Wade (Round 5, pick 160) Once regarded as a potential first-round pick based on his decorated career at Ohio State, Wade never made a push for snaps with the Ravens, who traded him for a pair of late-round picks at the end of his rookie summer. Grade: D Daelin Hayes (Round 5, pick 171) The odds of finding a starting edge rusher in the fifth round are minuscule, but Hayes arrived with a nifty set of moves and flashed in summer workouts. He could never translate that performance to training camp, and injuries derailed his development. Grade: D Ben Mason (Round 5, pick 184) The Ravens steered into their image by drafting a fullback who played for Harbaugh’s brother at Michigan. Mason showed good hands in training camp and hung around the team’s practice squad but never threatened to displace Pat Ricard. Grade: C- Overall: The Ravens’ top needs coming off a season that ended in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs were a dynamic wide receiver, a productive edge rusher and blockers who could keep Jackson upright against a playoff-quality defense. DeCosta went right at those holes with his first three picks, but the results have been uneven at best. His second third-round pick, Stephens, prompted the most chin-scratching on draft day but returned the best value last season. The Ravens got no game day production from Wade, Hayes or Mason. If neither Bateman nor Oweh breaks out, this could go down as DeCosta’s weakest draft. Grade: C 2022 Kyle Hamilton (Round 1, pick 14) Some questioned the Ravens using such a high pick on a safety when they already had two starters at the position and when Hamilton’s exact fit was unclear. What we’ve learned over two seasons is that Hamilton fits anywhere because he can do almost anything, from covering tight ends to dropping running backs to rushing off the edge. He might be the best safety in the league and the most important player on the Ravens’ defense. Grade: A+ Kevin Richardson / Baltimore SunThe Ravens nailed their first two picks in the 2022 draft with safety Kyle Hamilton, second from left, and center Tyler Linderbaum, second from right. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Tyler Linderbaum (Round 1, pick 25) Some second guessers wondered why the Ravens would use the payoff for trading Marquise Brown on a center. But Linderbaum has been exactly as advertised, starting since the minute he showed up, making the Pro Bowl in his second season and giving the Ravens a building block for their offensive line. Grade: A David Ojabo (Round 2, pick 45) This was the Ravens’ big value play as they stashed an edge rusher who would have gone in the first round had he not torn his Achilles tendon during his pro day at Michigan. The hope was that Ojabo would bust out in his second season, but knee surgery shut him down again, and he’s back to the drawing board as he prepares for another shot in 2024. There’s still time for DeCosta’s risk to pay off. Grade: C- Travis Jones (Round 3, pick 76) The Ravens have always loved using mid-round picks to accumulate future starters for their defensive interior, and the 6-4, 338-pound Jones is on track after he took a step forward in 2023. He’s still projected to share time with Michael Pierce but has the talent to become a more frequent playmaker. Grade: B Daniel Faalele (Round 4, pick 110) The biggest player in the draft wasn’t ready when thrust into an emergency start at tackle as a rookie. The Ravens liked Faalele’s progress going into Year 2, and he helped them by rotating in for a hurting Morgan Moses late in the season. Will he have a real chance to start in 2024, or will the Ravens fill Moses’ shoes in this draft? Grade: B- Jalyn Armour-Davis (Round 4, pick 119) Armour-Davis had the speed to be another first-round cornerback out of Alabama but could not stay on the field consistently. That has been the story of his NFL career as well, and he might be running low on chances. Grade: C- Charlie Kolar (Round 4, pick 128) The Ravens saw Kolar as a possession target who could relieve Mark Andrews. Then, they hoped he might add strength and polish his blocking to fit an in-line role. He has yet to find his niche and could be on the roster bubble going into training camp. Grade: C- Jordan Stout (Round 4, pick 130) Stout’s big leg and all-around athleticism made him the Ravens’ choice to succeed franchise institution Sam Koch at punter. He’s locked in as the team’s starter but still searching for the consistency, especially on more tactically delicate punts, that set Koch apart. Grade: B Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely flashed star potential as a pass catcher from the moment he stepped on the practice field in the summer of 2022. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Isaiah Likely (Round 4, pick 139) Likely flashed star potential as a pass catcher from the moment he stepped on the practice field in the summer of 2022 and was a major reason why the Ravens thrived in Andrews’ absence last year. The trick now will be to get him and Andrews producing at the same time. Either way, Likely is integral to the Ravens’ plans for giving Jackson a dynamic set of targets. Grade: A- Damarion Williams (Round 4, pick 141) Williams has potential as an option to cover slot receivers, but injuries wiped out his opportunity to show it in 2023. Grade: C Tyler Badie (Round 6, pick 196) Badie couldn’t find an opportunity with the Ravens, and the Denver Broncos signed the running back off their practice squad in December 2022. Grade: C- Overall: DeCosta took an unusual approach, steering away from premium positions with his first two picks, but it’s hard to argue with any draft that yields a pair of Pro Bowl selections in the first round. The gamble on Ojabo has yet to pay off, and the six fourth-round picks are a mixed bag, as one might expect. Jones and especially Likely could provide outstanding value. Grade: A 2023 Zay Flowers (Round 1, pick 22) DeCosta used his first pick on a wide receiver for the third time in five years, and Flowers proved to be a good one, leading the Ravens in catches and receiving yards as a rookie. He also produced in the playoffs, though his goal line fumble was a key negative play in the Ravens’ AFC championship game loss. The Ravens are still figuring out how to use Flowers, who was frequently bottled up when Jackson targeted him with quick outside throws. But he’s the team’s No. 1 receiver going into 2024. Grade: A- Trenton Simpson (Round 3, pick 86) The Ravens didn’t have a second-round pick because they traded it for Pro Bowl linebacker Roquan Smith. In the third round, they chose a potential future partner for Smith in the speedy Simpson. With Patrick Queen on the field for almost every defensive snap in 2023, Simpson didn’t play much, but he excelled in the regular-season finale and will be the top candidate to fill Queen’s shoes this year. Grade: B Ravens inside linebacker Trenton Simpson, with the ball, and outside linebacker Tavius Robinson, right, could make the 2023 draft look even better if they can step into bigger roles in 2024. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Tavius Robinson (Round 4, pick 124) Robinson was the steadiest contributor from the class other than Queen. The 6-foot-6, 258-pound outside linebacker didn’t flash much as a pass rusher but was sturdy enough as an edge-setter that the Ravens gave him defensive snaps in every regular-season game. Grade: B- Kyu Blu Kelly (Round 5, pick 157) Even when injuries struck their secondary during training camp, the Ravens never seemed to see Kelly as a viable option to step in at cornerback. They waived him at the end of training camp, and he bounced to three other teams by the end of the season. Grade: D Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | 2024 NFL mock draft (Version 6.0): Connecting the dots for one last first-round projection Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ 5 biggest needs entering NFL draft and how they could fill them Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis of the Ravens’ contract extension for WR Rashod Bateman Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman signs contract extension, keeping him in Baltimore through 2026 Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Drafting offensive linemen who can protect Ravens QB Lamar Jackson must be a priority | COMMENTARY Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu (Round 6, pick 199) The Ravens treated the 6-5, 325-pound Aumavae-Laulu as a potential starting guard going into training camp, but he quickly fell behind in that competition and was regularly inactive on game days once the season started. He’s rarely mentioned as a candidate to fill one of the three open starter jobs on the Ravens’ offensive line, a sign of how raw he proved to be. Grade: C+ Andrew Vorhees (Round 7, pick 229) DeCosta pulled a nifty move, jumping back into the last round to add an experienced, powerful offensive lineman who would have been picked several rounds higher if he was healthy. Vorhees is back from that torn ACL and is expected to compete for snaps at guard this summer. Teams don’t find many starters in the last round, so the upside here is significant. Grade: B Overall: This is the most difficult draft to grade because two of the key picks, Simpson and Vorhees, could jump into significant roles this year. If both of them join Flowers in the starting lineup, that would be a great payoff for six total picks, but we can’t say for sure. Grade: B- NFL draft Round 1: Thursday, 8 p.m. Rounds 2-3: Friday, 7 p.m. Rounds 4-7: Saturday, noon TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network View the full article

I think Henry is a bad investment. When is that timebomb on those legs going off? Lamar can spend a lifetime in Monks system. The issue is he was not taught a skill when he was young to be patient and go through the progressions. Its 1 2 run. Last yr he even tried to go past that and he just couldn't.

As long as the offensive line holds up, everything should work to Lamar's advantage.

I think this year will tell the tale, he will be well set in Todd's system, study film to see what defenses are doing. With Henry, the backers will have to step up, or freeze in place for a beat which should open the middle up more, a place Lamar is most accurate and where Bateman & Flowers flourish

I dont. He has never had to go that far so he doesnt do it well. By this age you are what you are.

It looks like the giants. They will screw it up.

Lamar was still adjusting to becoming a pocket passer, so he often didn't get to his 3rd read, Bateman. I expect that to be much better this year. It wasn't just Bateman that was open often and not thrown the ball, there were times when Lamar locked in on one side of the field, and missed open guys on the other. He has been great when he can throw on time, but he tended to lock in when the timing was off.

I like him, if he goes to the right coaching staff he could be a keeper. Very Mobil, smart, great accuracy, especially deep down field.

I also throw Maye in there.

Well Lamar is not good at going through progressions.

I am seeing it as crazy.

First Higgins requests a trade, now their best pass rusher, Trey Hendricksen wants out too, despite getting $14 mil and $15 mil this season and next. He has been a Ravens killer, would be glad to have him gone from that team (and on the Ravens)

Now all we need is for Lamar to throw the ball to him. He was open quite a bit last year, but the ball didn't come his way. He did drop a few and maybe Lamar didn't trust him?

There's nothing not to like about the deal. It's about as team friendly as can be.

I've seen mocks have 5 qbs go in the top 5. Wow, that would be a waste. History tells us that only 2 of the top 5 qbs in a draft will work out, at best. I cannot believe JJMcCarthy is a first round qb, no way. Nor Nix nor Penix, both struggle reading complex coverages, at least Nix can scramble a bit.

Well, reports are that they will Not pick up his 5th year option. So either they are going to extend him, cheaply, or this was a crazy trade

Sure as a steal pick.

This is a really friendly deal.

Bateman extended, good move, takes a while to recover from Lis Franc, he will break out this year... 3 years, $15 mil, great deal, if true, (the 5th year option due next week is $14 mil for 1 year) Per Espn OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Wide receiver Rashod Bateman is staying in Baltimore, after all. Bateman reached a two-year extension with the Ravens on Wednesday, which keeps the former first round pick in Baltimore through the 2026 season, the team announced. This surprising move was made eight days before the Ravens had to make a decision on whether to exercise Bateman's fifth-year option.

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after wide receiver Rashod Bateman signed an extension with the Ravens through the 2026 season on Wednesday before Thursday night’s NFL draft. Brian Wacker, reporter: Giving Bateman an extension is a calculated but risky move. In three years in Baltimore, he’s had just one fully healthy season, which came last year when he had 32 catches for 367 yards and only one touchdown. That’s middling production at best, though not all of it should be pinned on Bateman, who was open often but rarely in rhythm with Lamar Jackson, a disconnect that was at times seemingly on the quarterback. There’s no denying Bateman’s talent — he’s a fluid and fast route runner with excellent hands who can take the top off defenses. But foot injuries are unpredictable and who knows whether Jackson and Bateman can ever be consistently in sync. That said, the Ravens need Bateman and need him engaged. Beyond him, Zay Flowers and Nelson Agholor, the receiving corps gets thin quickly. They could draft a receiver, but finding an immediate contributor is anything but a guarantee. Declining his option would have signaled they were ready to move on from him and picking it up would have been even more expensive. With Baltimore showing Bateman it believes in him by extending him now, perhaps he’ll be poised to break out. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman signs 3-year contract extension Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Drafting offensive linemen who can protect Ravens QB Lamar Jackson must be a priority | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens roundtable: Answering NFL draft questions and grading Eric DeCosta Baltimore Ravens | Dueling Ravens mock drafts: Two views on how to rebuild a Super Bowl contender Baltimore Ravens | Why the NFL draft is so important for the Ravens, both this year and next Childs Walker, reporter: The Ravens like their draft week surprises, and this was another one, given that some fans had convinced themselves Bateman would be traded. A skeptic might look at Bateman’s production through three seasons and say there’s no way he merits an extension. An optimist would counter that he has flashed plenty of talent for getting open downfield and that the interruptions to his career have been beyond his control. The bottom line is it’s a reasonable bet on a pass catcher with so much upside. On a human level, it’s cool to see the Ravens show faith in a guy who has done his best to stand tall through maddening injuries and personal anguish. Bateman is in line to start and be Jackson’s top deep target this season. This is his time. Mike Preston, columnist: General manager Eric DeCosta must have seen something in Bateman’s performance a year ago that warranted an extension. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen that. Bateman has always been a player with great potential, but never lived up to the reputation. This was a surprising move. C.J. Doon, editor: I was wondering whether the Ravens would trade Bateman during the draft, let alone pick up his fifth-year option before the May 2 deadline, so this is pretty surprising to me. That said, it makes a ton of sense. Bateman’s stats haven’t been what many expected since he was drafted in the first round in 2021, but his underlying numbers and performance on film suggest better days are ahead. In ESPN’s receiver tracking analytics, which use player-tracking data from NFL Next Gen Stats to evaluate every route a pass catcher runs, Bateman posted an “open score” of 62 (on a 0-99 scale) last season that ranked 37th in the league. He might never become the true No. 1 outside receiver the Ravens and their fans have always craved, but he’s only 24 years old. The Ravens are betting he’ll ascend, and that’s probably a smart bet. And given the exploding wide receiver market (Amon-Ra St. Brown just got $120 million over four years with $77 million guaranteed from the Detroit Lions), signing a young player to a reasonable deal is prudent team building. Tim Schwartz, editor: Well, this one is a surprise. I think the terms of the deal are important here. The scuttlebutt was that the Ravens might be looking to trade their 2021 first-round pick for some draft capital this weekend or for 2025, but clearly they view Bateman as someone who fits Todd Monken’s scheme and has likely run into some bad luck since arriving in Baltimore. At the least, this gives quarterback Lamar Jackson some much-needed continuity after so much transition at the position. While Bateman has not been stellar with the Ravens, he likely has not reached his ceiling, and perhaps the peace of mind of this contract pushes him to the next level. It’s likely this deal gives the Ravens some cap room in 2025, too, considering his fifth-year option would have been fairly expensive. This feels like it could be a boom or bust move for Baltimore. View the full article

When Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta was asked earlier this month if he’d made a decision about wide receiver Rashod Bateman’s fifth-year contract option, he said he had about a month to make that decision before the May 2 deadline. He didn’t wait that long. On Wednesday, the team announced a contract extension with Bateman, keeping the 2021 first-round draft pick in Baltimore through 2026. Terms of the deal were not announced. The move comes just eight days before the Ravens had to decide whether to pick up or decline his option. Declining it would have made Bateman, 24, a free agent after the 2024 season. In three injury-filled seasons with the Ravens, Bateman has 93 catches for 1,167 yards and four touchdowns, though 2023 marked the first season in which he was healthy for an entire campaign. “Congratulations to ‘Bate’ and his family,” DeCosta said in a statement. “This is a good day for the Ravens.” This story will be updated. View the full article