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Good stuff, Papa...thanks for posting. Sounds like a lot of OT talent in this draft even where we are drafting. I like McConkey, but not as our first pick. Right about not needing DL help now that Justin is with us for the long haul. Right now we're 3 offensive lineman short from last year. We should probably be drafting help there with our first and third (second?) picks.

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-mock-draft-qb-jayden-daniels-minnesota-vikings-at-no-3 https://www.nfl.com/news/rhett-lewis-2024-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-two-teams-trade-up-for-qbs-bears-pick-wr-at-no-9 I dont see this with Justin coming back.

https://www.nfl.com/news/gennaro-filice-2024-nfl-mock-draft-2-0-jets-go-get-rome-odunze-pats-raiders-trade-back-into-round-1 https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2024-nfl-mock-draft-j-j-mccarthy-nearly-falls-out-of-top-10-while-vikings-trade-back-twice-6-qbs-go-round-1/ WTH is with this pick? I would be very disapointed if this went down. As for a trade with LV and us getting the 44 pick. Throw in their 25 first round pick and I am in.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2024-nfl-mock-draft-afc-contenders-land-potential-steals-in-back-half-of-round-1-bears-pair-qb-with-top-wr/ I am seeing him more and more. https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2024-nfl-mock-draft-two-rounds-dak-prescott-trade-broncos-qbs-caleb-williams-jj-mccarthy/

I havent done the research like in yrs past. I am taking the experts word at how loaded the class is.

Papa, who do you have in mind?

WR this yr I think some studs will be found in the 3rd and 4th.

I wouldn't advocate trading up unless it was to jump just a few spots for a guy who can start right away. But I think there will be opportunities at 30 and even up to high round 2 to get an OT. I wouldn't move up unless it was for that stud offensive lineman we need so bad. After round 1, things really become a crap shoot whether you're looking for RB, WR or another lineman. But that's the hand we have.

I don't know that the "quality of player" is that great once you get outside the top 12 or so. Thus, moving up would be, essentially a waste, given how much it would cost to move that high, or even to move up to the mid 20's to nab a player you can essentially get at 30. If anything, I would hope that they move back, gain an extra pick or two if there is nothing obvious about who is there at 30. They lost a lot of free agents, many of them role players, some, special teams players and they need to replace them, cheaply

Former Ravens running back Willis McGahee sometimes struggles to find the words. “You don’t know how long you’re gonna be here or you don’t know when you can receive the proper healthcare that you need,” he told The Baltimore Sun in a Zoom interview last week. “It’s tough. I think about my kids more than anything. I wanna be here for my kids.” In his darkest hours, McGahee, a two-time Pro Bowl selection whose career spanned 10 years, 151 games, 8,882 rushing yards, and more than a dozen surgeries across 10 seasons with four teams, said he contemplated taking his own life “a few times” given the physical and emotional burden the sport left on him. But the 42-year-old is spurred on, he said, by his 10 children, one of whom, Willis McGahee IV, will play outside linebacker at Nebraska this fall. His spirits have also been lifted more in recent days, thanks to a court decision that could potentially allow him and other former players to receive the disability benefits that McGahee believes have long been owed by the NFL for injuries suffered during their careers. A class-action lawsuit filed by 10 former players, including McGahee in February 2023 against the league’s disability board, which is based in Baltimore, is moving forward after the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland ruled two weeks ago that it can proceed to discovery and trial, though not against Commissioner Roger Goodell or trustees individually because they were not accused of wrongdoing. The lawsuit alleges that doctors in the plan are financially incentivized to deny disability claims. It also says that data shows a “disturbing pattern of erroneous and arbitrary benefits denials, bad faith contract misinterpretations and other unscrupulous tactics,” that include flagrant violations of federal law, according to lawyers Chris Seeger and Sam Katz. Other plaintiffs include Eric Smith, Jason Alford, Daniel Loper, Michael McKenzie, Jamize Olawale, Alex Parsons, Charles Sims, Joey Thomas and Lance Zeno. The NFL disability plan, which came out of a 2011 collective bargaining agreement between the players and the union, has been touted as a way to help debilitated former players with claims that can lead to payments between $65,000 and $265,000. However, the plaintiffs’ lawyers say few players receive the top amount and many are denied disability benefits altogether. For example, Katz cited a statistical example in which the board’s 14 highest-paid neuropsychologists all had a 100% denial rate in evaluations for permanent disability, while physicians in the program who had around a 25% success rate were paid significantly less. The complaint also alleges that the board relied only on physicians’ conclusions and did not review all related material for claims, even though it consistently told players they’re required by law to review all of the evidence in the record. “Willis has so many different impairments — physical, neurological, neurocognitive, psychological,” Katz told The Sun. “We based the claim not only off those things individually but the cumulative impact of all of his impairments together. … Despite multiple courts telling [the disability board] they have to do it, they’ve continued this unlawful practice of compartmentalizing and only considering impairments in silo with no one coming together and saying … Willis can’t work from all those things combined.” One of the denials for McGahee, who lives in Miami, took place in Atlanta in 2016. Of the more than 37 exams done by that same neurologist on players, all were denied benefits, according to the complaint. And in McGahee’s most recent claim, in late 2022, he was denied again. “My injuries, physical and mental, have gotten worse because of the disability board refusing to provide the proper benefits that I need,” McGahee told The Sun. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens would be wise to target Ed Reed’s cousin, Trey Taylor, in NFL draft | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens signing Deonte Harty, 2019 All-Pro kick returner and former Archbishop Curley star Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens star Terrell Suggs arrested, charged with assault in Arizona after allegedly threatening to kill another driver Baltimore Ravens | Ravens draft will be more essential in 2024, offensive linemen abound and playmakers wanted | TAKEAWAYS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh bullish despite questions ahead of NFL draft: ‘We’re going to have a heck of a team’ The NFL had no additional comment from the statement it issued last February when contacted by The Sun because of the ongoing litigation, though it has said it expected annual payouts for the disability plan to reach $330 million last year. The league has until May 24 to respond to the latest ruling. The news of the judge’s decision brought a momentary smile to the face of McGahee, who suffered more than 40 injuries over a decade in the NFL that included four years with the Ravens from 2007 to 2010, during which he was knocked unconscious twice, including against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2009 AFC championship game. McGahee also said that other players have reached out to him in recent years, including one former Raven who “didn’t know where to turn” after multiple benefit denials left the player in a dark place. What McGahee hopes to come out of the lawsuit, he said, is that the players show the NFL disability board that “we’re not pushovers, not going to take no for an answer.” They also hope to have doctors who their data alleges are not neutral removed from the program. In the meantime, McGahee said he will continue to fight for what he believes is just, for himself and other players in the league past and present. “I have my ups and downs. That’s everyday life,” he said. “But that we’re standing up to them shows that we have a lot of character amongst each other. We’re not gonna give up.” View the full article

That makes sense. Do you have any opinion on Renfrow?

I think it depends on how guys are coming off the board. If a great player fall to them you pick. If a guy rated for that spot they like is there you pick him. If what you want is gone then you look to slide back.

The draft is just 2 weeks away and I was wondering what you all thought about whether the Ravens should try and trade up, trade down, or just stay where they are. Should they go up to get a higher probability of success player or down into the second round to get more picks? Or is the best course to just take from what's available at spot number 30. They've got 2 fourth round picks, and they could possibly combine one of them with their first to move up. If they trade down, they can get more picks, but they give up the possibility of having a 1st round pick for 5 years. If they stay where they are, should they take BPA or hope they fill one of their needs with whoever is there? There's a lot riding on this draft. The team has been hamstrung by their cap status in free agency and badly needs an infusion of young talent. Oh, and finally, should they be attempting to sign Hunter Renfrow to a cap friendly contract or is the draft a better option for another wide receiver?

When Air Force safety Trey Taylor wanted some inside information on the Ravens, he went to a relative: Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed. They are cousins by marriage, but Taylor always called Reed “unc,” and Reed calls Taylor his nephew. Reed’s diagnosis of the Ravens organization was as thorough as his film study when he played in Baltimore from 2002 through 2012. “It’s called 1 Winning Drive, the street they are on,” said Taylor, who went to The Castle for a predraft visit with the Ravens on March 19. “I loved the place, I loved the people there. It seemed like everybody was happy to be there, and they all had winning attitudes. “It was definitely a positive experience. I’m looking forward to comparing the experience I had with them to the other places I will visit.” Taylor is also expected to visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders before the NFL draft, which is April 25-27 in Detroit. But Taylor fits the profile of a Ravens “hybrid” safety. At 6 feet and 206 pounds, he can play near the line of scrimmage and in the deep third of the field. He had 71 tackles last season and earned first-team All-Mountain West honors. He also recorded six career interceptions. It’s one of the things he said he discussed with Ravens coach John Harbaugh and first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr during his visit. “That’s what they were saying, they would be excited about me playing underneath, but they like how I can also convert to being somebody that plays deep,” Taylor said. The Ravens need safety help, too. They lost Geno Stone to the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency, and while they return starters Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams, Williams missed seven games last season with various injuries and played much of the year with one arm because he declined to have surgery for a torn pectoral muscle. There is a lot to like about Taylor. He started for three years at Air Force and finished with 205 career tackles. Various draft reports have said he has good intuition reading plays. He also received the 2023 Jim Thorpe Award, which is given annually to the best defensive back in college. Air Force’s Trey Taylor, the 2023 Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation’s top defensive back, is the cousin of former Ravens safety and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed. (Air Force Athletics/Handout) Taylor, who played at Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas, was recruited by 30 schools, including every Ivy League school but Princeton. But Taylor chose the Air Force Academy. “I really wanted to have a positive lifestyle for my family whenever I was getting out,” he said. “I didn’t think that football or going to the NFL at that time in my life was even a possibility. At the Air Force Academy, everybody was really like-minded, everybody had some aspirations in life. They wanted to do big things, wanted to be around big corporations, and I really appreciated that.” Playing at a service academy, though, has some disadvantages. Army, Navy and Air Force don’t play a traditional, modern style of football. Defenders face run-oriented offenses in practice every day. There is also the five-year obligation to stay in the military after graduation, though Taylor said he can play in the NFL first as long as he is under contract before having to serve that obligation. Afterward, according to Taylor, he can pay $250,000 or serve out the five-year commitment. Those things might have played a part in Taylor not being invited to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in February. Air Force safety Trey Taylor said he “dominated” practices at the Shrine Bowl while competing against some of the country’s top NFL draft prospects. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Taylor has also been criticized by draft analysts for being too aggressive on the field and not waiting until he can dissect a play. Maybe that’s why he is projected to be a late-round pick. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens signing Deonte Harty, 2019 All-Pro kick returner and former Archbishop Curley star Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens star Terrell Suggs arrested, charged with assault in Arizona after allegedly threatening to kill another driver Baltimore Ravens | Ravens draft will be more essential in 2024, offensive linemen abound and playmakers wanted | TAKEAWAYS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh bullish despite questions ahead of NFL draft: ‘We’re going to have a heck of a team’ Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens have hosted a slew of players before the NFL draft. A closer look provides some insight. But at his pro day in Colorado Springs, Taylor ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 22 times and recorded a 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump. He has heard his stock is rising. “I got to the Shrine Bowl and played against some of the best competition in the country and honestly dominated those practices,” Taylor said, “so hopefully [scouts] can bring that back to the [general managers] and really be able to say he’s actually really effective no matter who or what opponent he is playing against. “I’m pretty confident in what I’ve been hearing from my agency and how I’ve been climbing up the draft board. I’m happy with the progress. The reality is I can slip into the fourth round or possibly sign as an undrafted free agent. It all depends how the board shakes out.” Regardless, Taylor is easy to like. He is well-rounded and likes to fish, cook and paint. He loves snowboarding, skiing and seeing different parts of the world. Because of his service background, the Ravens know “he is going to play like a Raven” and he can spend possibly a year polishing his skill set playing behind Hamilton and Williams. Taylor has watched Hamilton play for years going back to the 2022 first-round pick’s days at Notre Dame. Taylor likes the leverage Hamilton plays with, especially filling gaps and taking on blockers. Before Air Force games, he used to watch Washington safety Sean Taylor deliver vicious hits because it amped him up. And then, of course, there’s “unc,” Ed Reed. “I literally can call him up right now and be like, ‘Hey, let’s talk ball, or let’s talk investments, or let’s talk life after football,’ and we can have a two-hour conversation,” Taylor said. “It’s crazy. He’s really like having somebody in my corner. “He has a ton of love for the organization and you can see it in the way that he talks about the team.” Now, we’ll see if the Ravens have that mutual feeling about Taylor on draft weekend. NFL draft Round 1: Thursday, April 25, 8 p.m. Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 27, noon TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network View the full article

The Ravens might have their new kick returner. Baltimore is signing Deonte Harty to a one-year deal, his agent confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Wednesday. His addition fills the void left by Devin Duvernay, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. Harty, 26, is a Baltimore native who starred at Archbishop Curley before playing at Division II Assumption. He spent last season with the Buffalo Bills, where he primarily served as the team’s punt returner, though he also has experience returning kickoffs. Last season, he averaged 12.4 yards on 26 punt returns, including a 96-yard touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 that helped Buffalo secure the AFC East title. Harty returned only one kickoff for 7 yards last season, but he was an All-Pro as an undrafted rookie with the New Orleans Saints in 2019 when he averaged 26.8 yards per kickoff return. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens would be wise to target Ed Reed’s cousin, Trey Taylor, in NFL draft | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens star Terrell Suggs arrested, charged with assault in Arizona after allegedly threatening to kill another driver Baltimore Ravens | Ravens draft will be more essential in 2024, offensive linemen abound and playmakers wanted | TAKEAWAYS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh bullish despite questions ahead of NFL draft: ‘We’re going to have a heck of a team’ Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens have hosted a slew of players before the NFL draft. A closer look provides some insight. For his career, Harty, who was also a Baltimore Sun first-team All-Metro selection in 2014, has averaged 10.4 yards per punt return and 25.2 yards per kick return. He also has 79 career catches for 943 yards, the bulk of those coming in 2021 with the Saints. Two years ago, he legally changed his last name from Harris to Harty in honor of his stepdad. The Ravens’ move comes as the NFL undergoes a drastic change to its kickoff format this year. The new rule, which will be in place for one season before it is reviewed and voted on again, is designed to increase the number of returns per game while limiting the number of injuries from high speed collisions. A steady decline led to a record-low 23.7% return rate in 2023. “I love the fact that kickoff returns are going to be back in the game,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday. “I’m kind of on record saying I wish they would have looked at a couple other things before taking the line of scrimmage out of the kickoff [and] kickoff return play, because the onside kicks and all that are still pretty cool, and they had already taken the wedges out and the double teams out. If you create some space for the kickoff return team to operate, maybe that would have slowed the kickoff team down; that was a theory. “But they went all in with this new rule, and I’d rather have this than what we had in the past, where they were going all in for fair catches. We were never in favor of that.” View the full article

Former Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was arrested in Arizona on Tuesday night. Suggs, 41, was charged with one count of assault and one count of offense against public order, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. He has since been released, according to police. More details about the allegations against Suggs were not made immediately available, though a Scottsdale police spokesperson confirmed to The Baltimore Sun that the arrest stems from an incident that happened on March 10. KTVK/KPHO in Arizona reported that the charges relate to an alleged road rage incident in Scottsdale that involved weapons. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens draft will be more essential in 2024, offensive linemen abound and playmakers wanted | TAKEAWAYS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh bullish despite questions ahead of NFL draft: ‘We’re going to have a heck of a team’ Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens have hosted a slew of players before the NFL draft. A closer look provides some insight. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens draft prospects to watch: Which players might be available at pick No. 30? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens host ninth leadership conference empowering female high school athletes Drafted 10th overall out of Arizona State by Baltimore in 2003, Suggs spent all but one of his 17 years in the NFL with the Ravens, who inducted him into their Ring of Honor in October. Suggs won two Super Bowl titles in his career, including one with Baltimore in the 2012 season. He was also named the NFL’s Rookie of the Year in 2003 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, as well as an All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection. This is also not the first time that Suggs has been accused of assault. In 2003, he was charged with a felony aggravated assault after a man was allegedly struck with a piece of rebar during an argument at a basketball tournament. Suggs was later acquitted of the charges. In 2009, Suggs’ future wife, Candace Williams, accused him of domestic violence and filed a request for a protective order claiming he had hit her and spilled bleach on her and their then-1-year-old son. She later requested that the order be rescinded after they reconciled. Then, in late 2012, she accused him of punching her in the neck and dragging her behind his car as he drove away with their two children. Suggs was ordered to turn over seven guns, including an AK-47 assault rifle, because of the temporary protective order granted by the Baltimore County Circuit Court. Less than a month later, the couple married, and she again asked for the protective order to be lifted. After two years of marriage, she filed for divorce in 2015. Suggs, who spent his final season in the league in 2019 with the Arizona Cardinals and then the Kansas City Chiefs, finished his career with 139 sacks, 895 tackles, 15 fumble recoveries and seven interceptions. This story will be updated. View the full article

With nine picks and holes to fill on both sides of the ball, the Ravens see the 2024 draft as essential to rebuilding the roster depth that made them a top contender last season. General manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh shared a bit of their vision — while proudly obscuring specific plans — at the team’s annual predraft luncheon Tuesday. Here are three takeaways from what they said. The draft will be more essential to building the 2024 Ravens than it was for last year’s team. DeCosta made just six picks last April, fewest for the franchise since 2009, and only one of those players, wide receiver Zay Flowers, played a prominent role as the Ravens went all the way to the AFC championship game. This was largely by design as DeCosta tabbed players such as linebacker Trenton Simpson and offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees with an eye on what they might contribute in 2024 rather than 2023. The script has flipped this year. More talent left the organization than entered it over the last two months. The Ravens kept several of their own key free agents, most recently outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, and added an offensive hammer in running back Derrick Henry. But they said farewell to three starters on their offensive line, a Pro Bowl inside linebacker, their best edge rusher and a pair of essential reserves from their secondary. They anticipated this exodus, sure, but it left them with much work to do just to get back to par. Both Harbaugh and DeCosta made a point of saying the Ravens have no plan to take even a half-step back this season. Come September, they aim to field a team at least as good as the one that won 13 games and clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a week to spare. To do so, they’ll return to a bedrock principle established by DeCosta’s predecessor and mentor, Ozzie Newsome: build through the draft first. “There’s a real opportunity for us to build that depth up again,” DeCosta said, referring to the flood of picks the team is expected to make over the next two drafts. This isn’t just about back filling behind the team’s highly compensated stars and young Pro Bowl starters, however. The Ravens need multiple players from this class to compete for snaps right away, especially on the offensive line but also potentially at wide receiver, edge rusher and cornerback. Even if they don’t need immediate starters at all those spots, they need players who might shove their way to the front of the line heading into 2025, when players such as left tackle Ronnie Stanley, cornerback Brandon Stephens, wide receiver Rashod Bateman and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh aren’t guaranteed to be around. “We’ll have some opportunities for sure. There’s going to be some spots that need to be filled,” DeCosta said. “The burden is on me to find those players.” Is this a make-or-break draft? Not quite, but the Ravens’ talent pipeline needs feeding. Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims could be an option for the Ravens in the first round. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) This is a great year to need offensive linemen. Harbaugh reiterated that the draft isn’t the only means by which the Ravens plan to fill the gaps left by departed starters Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson. They expect tackle Daniel Faalele, guard Ben Cleveland and the powerful Vorhees (coming off a de facto medical redshirt year) to compete for snaps this summer. But it’s hard to imagine DeCosta would have been comfortable waving goodbye to stalwart veterans Moses and Zeitler if he was not confident he could snag at least one immediate starter from this draft. We’ve heard it from evaluator after evaluator: there could be 10 starting tackles drafted from the top of the first round to the middle of the second, with potential standouts at guard and center also available on all three days of the draft. DeCosta noted that the Ravens spent all of Monday on offensive line prospects, because there were just so many draftable players to review. Do you fancy an athletically gifted talent who didn’t play much such as Georgia’s Amarius Mims? Or a more refined plug-in at right tackle such as BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia? There’s an answer to fit every strategy, including a possible trade out of the first round. And the key point to keep in mind is the Ravens’ work won’t stop with the first offensive lineman they draft. DeCosta will almost certainly draft at least two and perhaps three, recognizing that center Tyler Linderbaum is his only current starter certain to be on the team in 2025. This is the year for the Ravens to set up their offensive line for the next half-decade. “Offensive line is just stacked across the board, in most rounds,” DeCosta said. It’s a perfect meeting of need and opportunity. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens star Terrell Suggs arrested, charged with assault in Arizona Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh bullish despite questions ahead of NFL draft: ‘We’re going to have a heck of a team’ Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens have hosted a slew of players before the NFL draft. A closer look provides some insight. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens draft prospects to watch: Which players might be available at pick No. 30? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens host ninth leadership conference empowering female high school athletes The calls for a playmaker aren’t quite as urgent, but expect another wide receiver and another running back. It was unusual to go through a predraft news conference without DeCosta having to answer for the team’s spotty track record evaluating wide receivers. That’s partly because Flowers, the team’s third first-round receiver in five years, performed well as a rookie, and partly because of the more obvious holes along the offensive line. But with Bateman, the team’s 2021 first-round pick, still looking for a breakout season and potentially headed to free agency after this year, the Ravens do need another young pass catcher. Harbaugh and quarterback Lamar Jackson have discussed which type of receiver — fans still lust after a big, fast X receiver on the outside — might be the the best fit. Again, the good news for the Ravens is that this draft class comes packed with options of all sizes, speeds and styles. DeCosta put the wide receiver group right next to the offensive linemen when asked which positions will yield the most fruit on the draft’s second and third days. The running backs are far less hyped, and the Ravens already made their big move there when they signed Henry. In fact, DeCosta suggested that teams rushed to scoop up starters in free agency in part because there’s not a premium ball carrier projected to go in the first round of the draft. That said, he expects interest in running backs to intensify in the middle three rounds and all but guaranteed the Ravens will draft a player to supplement Henry, Justice Hill and rehabilitating Keaton Mitchell. No, they won’t be looking for a runner to take carries away from Henry, but they could use another versatile threat to rotate in on third down and to take advantage of the NFL’s new kickoff rules, designed to increase returns. View the full article

The information NFL general managers and coaches divulge between now and the draft in two weeks is often about as forthright as that of a Cold War-era double agent. There’s deception everywhere. In other words, if Ravens fans were hoping to glean a trove of revelatory nuggets from the team’s annual predraft news conference Tuesday in Owings Mills, they might be disappointed to learn that Baltimore is planning to target players along the offensive line, at cornerback, running back, possibly at wide receiver as well as other positions, or could even trade out of the first round. Put another way, the Ravens have to address several areas of need after an exodus of more than a dozen players in free agency who were either starters or significant contributors to a team that went an NFL-best 13-4 last season and reached the organization’s first AFC championship game in more than a decade. Yet, there were insights offered by general manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh that were somewhat revealing in the 35-minute session inside the team’s auditorium. One of the more telling — at least based on a two-minute commentary by Harbaugh — is that the Ravens don’t quite view all those departures as the window being slammed shut, but rather nothing more than a blip on the radar when it comes to reaching the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl. “Listening to questions about the team and parts and math, I think it’s really interesting and good to look at the parts,” Harbaugh said, transitioning from a question about backup quarterback-wide receiver Malik Cunningham into his thoughts about something else entirely. “You say we lost this many guys, we had this many guys, we’re not gonna be as good of a team, or how are we gonna fill these pieces, and that’s kind of a math equation. In the end, it’s not just about the parts, it’s about the sum of the parts. Can the sum be greater than the parts? And it’s how you put the parts together, how you piece them together. So the process is, it’s about getting the best players you can. “It’s about how you build the whole machine. … It’s not just a math equation at the end of the year. These same questions were being asked last year, they were being asked the year before, and the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that, all the way back. Every year it’s the same questions. It’s kind of a rollover thing. “The goal is to be all-in every single year as best as you can be.” Baltimore certainly was among the best in the NFL last year, thanks in part to not just the play of quarterback and NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson but to the moves it made in the months and weeks leading up to and even during the season. There was the signing of Jackson to a long-term contract, aided by the addition at his request of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and the drafting of fellow receiver Zay Flowers, who went on to lead the team in catches and yards. There were the free agent additions of outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy along with cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Arthur Maulet, among others. There was the signing of undrafted and ultimately sensational running back Keaton Mitchell. Now DeCosta is tasked with doing it again. But this time, he’s faced with perhaps an even greater challenge than a year ago. “We’re going to have a heck of a team this year,” Ravens coach Harbaugh, left, seated next to general manager Eric DeCosta. said on Tuesday. “You wait, you watch.” (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Three starting spots on the offensive line need to be filled after guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson left in free agency and right tackle Morgan Moses was traded. The defense, which led the league in sacks, takeaways and points allowed per game last season, is without Pro Bowl inside linebacker Patrick Queen, who signed with the AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers, Clowney (Carolina Panthers), safety Geno Stone (Cincinnati Bengals) and Darby (Jacksonville Jaguars). There are questions about the depth at running back, wide receiver and cornerback. Baltimore also lost defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, now the coach of the Seattle Seahawks, and replaced him with its former inside linebackers coach, 31-year-old Zach Orr, an energetic and bright mind who is untested as a play-caller. The holes on the roster are indeed significant. But there is belief that some of them can be filled from within, be it on the offensive line, edge rusher or at other positions with young but mostly unproven talent. Some of them already have been addressed, with the signing of four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry and the re-signing of Van Noy among other roster moves. There is also, of course, this month’s draft. From that standpoint, the Ravens are in good shape with nine picks, including the 30th overall selection. What direction they go that late in the first round on April 25 is anyone’s guess, but DeCosta said he and his staff spent all day Monday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., dissecting offensive line prospects. “It’s a very deep pool of players,” he said. “We see a lot of different opportunities in different rounds to get players at tackle, guard and center.” They’re also not opposed to taking a wide receiver in the first round, something they’ve done in three of the past five drafts. “If there’s a player that’s there that we think is too good to pass up on, we’re going to take him,” DeCosta said when asked about adding to that with another first-round receiver. With the position thin beyond its top three of Rashod Bateman, Flowers and veteran Nelson Agholor, who signed a one-year extension in February, it’s almost certain Baltimore will look to bolster the group, in the first round or otherwise. There is also the question of whether the team picks up the fifth-year option for Bateman (and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh). DeCosta was noncommittal, saying he would address that after the draft. But a May 2 deadline looms, and declining the option would make both players eligible for free agency next offseason. A deep receiver class helps no matter the decision. The running back class, meanwhile, isn’t as top heavy, but there is depth, particularly in the middle rounds. With only Henry, Justice Hill and Mitchell, who likely won’t be available until late in the year as he continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered in mid-December, it’s a position DeCosta was even more definitive about. 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Baltimore Ravens | Ravens host ninth leadership conference empowering female high school athletes “There’s probably a pretty strong chance we’ll draft a running back at some point,” he said. “We do think there’s a chance for us to get a good, young player who can help us in different ways, as a running back, in the passing game and on special teams.” The same is likely true at cornerback, an area the Ravens feel they never have enough players at. “We would love to add a talented corner at some point in the draft,” DeCosta said. “That’s a position you typically never have enough, due to injuries and different things. … Our depth has always been tested in the secondary. This year’s was no exception.” There’s always the possibility Baltimore could make a move or two between now and the draft, though it’s unlikely anything major would develop. “You never know,” DeCosta said. “I don’t know that we’ll do a lot in the next couple weeks, other than polish the board up and get ready for the process. “We’re still building. A big part of that is going to be through the draft. But there’s a lot of different opportunities along the way to add players. … The destination is September, not May.” To that point, players will begin reporting to Owings Mills for the start of the voluntary offseason program beginning Monday. There is a draft to prepare for. There will be more free agent additions at some point. Can the Ravens match the success they had last season despite all of the questions they’re facing this offseason? “We’re going to have a heck of a team this year,” Harbaugh said. “You wait, you watch.” NFL draft Round 1: Thursday, April 25, 8 p.m. Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 27, noon TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network Ravens 2024 draft picks No. 30 (first round) No. 62 (second) No. 93 (third) No. 113 (fourth, from Denver via N.Y. Jets) No. 130 (fourth) No. 165 (fifth) No. 218 (sixth, from N.Y. Jets) No. 228 (seventh, from N.Y. Jets) No. 250 (seventh) View the full article

The NFL draft is a little more than two weeks away and the Ravens, like every team around the NFL, have been busy. Specifically, organizations are allowed to host up to 30 players for in-person visits at their facility ahead of the draft, which will take place April 25-27 in Detroit. These meetings last longer and are more formal than those at the scouting combine or at college all-star games. And they can be telling — Baltimore hosted Zay Flowers on a visit last year before drafting him 22nd overall — or perhaps simply subterfuge. Often, though, they do provide at least some insight into what teams are thinking when it comes to players or positions they are targeting, something general manager Eric DeCosta is expected to address during the team’s annual predraft news conference Tuesday in Owings Mills. With the Ravens owning nine picks in this year’s draft, it could also be a fruitful haul. Here is a look at the players who have been confirmed to have or reportedly visited with Baltimore thus far: Troy Fautanu, Washington, offensive tackle NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks the quick-footed 6-foot-4, 317-pound Joe Moore Award winner given to the nation’s top offensive lineman as the 12th best player on his board, so it’s possible that Fautanu would still be around when the Ravens draft at No. 30. He is an enticing prospect and has starting experience at tackle and guard, positions Baltimore has openings for after losing both starting guards in free agency and trading right tackle Morgan Moses. Chop Robinson, Penn State, edge rusher A Maryland native who starred at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, the 6-3, 254-pound edge rusher is fast (4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash) and twitchy but had relatively modest outputs for the Nittany Lions. In three seasons, including one at Maryland in 2021, Robinson had 60 career tackles, including 20 for loss, and 11 1/2 sacks. His best season with Penn State was in 2022 when he had 10 tackles for loss, 5 1/2 sacks, two passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Xavier Worthy, Texas, wide receiver The Ravens need to bolster their wide receiver corps with the group thin behind Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers and Nelson Agholor, and Worthy is a burner, having tied John Ross’ 40-yard dash record with a time of 4.21 seconds at the scouting combine. Though slight at 165 pounds, Worthy had career-highs in catches (75) and receiving yards (1,014) last season and could be an option for Baltimore with the 62nd pick. Worthy also becomes intriguing if the Ravens decline to pick up the fifth-year option on Bateman, a decision they must make by May 2. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens draft prospects to watch: Which players might be available at pick No. 30? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens host ninth leadership conference empowering female high school athletes Baltimore Ravens | Ravens bring back OLB Kyle Van Noy on two-year deal for reported $9 million Baltimore Ravens | Buffalo Bills agree to trade receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans Baltimore Ravens | NFL mock draft (Version 4.0): Two-round projections with trades as team needs come into focus Malachi Corley, Kentucky, wide receiver At 5-11 and 215 pounds, Corley has drawn comparison to the San Francisco 49ers’ do-everything star Deebo Samuel from NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein. At Western Kentucky, he played mostly in the slot and in motion, had good explosiveness and yards-after-the-catch skills, though his route-running isn’t viewed as top tier. Still, he put up impressive numbers with 259 catches for 3,303 yards and 29 touchdowns over 49 career games and could be an interesting fit in the Ravens’ redesigned offense, especially with new kickoff rules and kick returner-wide receiver Devin Duvernay having departed in free agency. He currently projects as a mid-to-late second-round pick. Qwan’Tez Stiggers, Canadian Football League, cornerback Stiggers’ story is the stuff of heartbreak and Hollywood: His father died after a car accident and Stiggers walked away from Division II Lane College in 2020 before ever playing, started driving for DoorDash and washing trucks, eventually landed with the semipro, seven-on-seven Fan Controlled Football League the following year, then with the Toronto Argonauts, where he had 53 tackles and five interceptions in 16 games en route to being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie Award. Twenty-nine NFL teams sent representatives to his pro day last month and the 5-11, 204-pound corner didn’t disappoint with a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash, 36.5-inch vertical and broad jump of 10 feet, 8 inches. Marshall running back Rasheen Ali was the Football Bowl Subdivision leader in touchdowns with 25 as a redshirt freshman in 2021. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff) Rasheen Ali, Marshall, running back The Ravens have their lead back after signing Derrick Henry, but they could use some depth at the position with only Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell — who’s coming off a torn ACL and likely won’t be ready to play until late in the year — behind him. Enter the 5-11, 206-pound Ali, who could be this year’s version of Mitchell as an undrafted free agent who is a shifty runner. Ali was the Football Bowl Subdivision leader in touchdowns with 25 as a redshirt freshman in 2021, rushing for 1,401 yards on 250 carries, but took time away from the Thundering Heard the following season before bouncing back with 1,135 yards and 15 touchdowns on 212 carries last year. Theo Johnson, Penn State, tight end The one position the Ravens mostly don’t need to worry about is tight end, with Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar their top three tight ends (though they could use an in-line blocker). But they will have to start thinking about Andrews’ future soon as he enters his age 29 season this year. At 6-6 and 259 pounds, Johnson looks the part. In four years at Penn State, he had 77 catches, including 32 last season, for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns in 44 games. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller also believes Johnson’s stock is on the rise as a Day 2 pick and possibly the third tight end drafted. “There’s such an appetite for that wide tight end, that big, nasty, in-line tight end who does a great job in the middle of the field,” Miller said. “No, you’re not flexing them out and asking them to play wide receiver, but they’re super-reliable players.” Travis Glover, Georgia State, offensive tackle A five-year starter with 4,164 career snaps, experience at both tackle positions and five sacks and 24 pressures the past two years, the 6-6, 317-pound Glover could be an intriguing late-round option for the Ravens. He ranked 29th among all tackles in Pro Football Focus’ pass-blocking grades, had his best season as a run blocker last year, per PFF, and a strong showing at the Hula Bowl landed him a late invite to the Senior Bowl. Khristian Boyd, Northern Iowa, defensive tackle The Ravens enjoy finding talent from small schools and Boyd would be another example. Projected to be a late-round pick, the 6-4, 317-pound 24-year-old is a project but could be something of a sleeper, giving depth behind Justin Madubuike, Broderick Washington and Travis Jones. His 38 reps on bench press during his pro day would’ve ranked second at the scouting combine, and his stock has been on the rise since a strong performance at the Shrine Bowl. Illinois Maryland FootballNick Wass/APMaryland’s Delmar Glaze’s physical attributes make him a potentially interesting Day 3 option as a swing tackle. (Nick Wass/AP) Delmar Glaze, Maryland, offensive tackle With three starting spots needed to be filled on the offensive line, the Ravens will likely draft multiple linemen as part of their rebuild up front. Maryland isn’t known for producing top-tier linemen, but Glaze’s physical attributes make him a potentially interesting Day 3 option as a swing tackle, given he has a nearly 7-foot wingspan and is 6-4 and 327 pounds. Trey Taylor, Air Force, safety The cousin of former Ravens safety and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed, Taylor won last season’s Jim Thorpe Award, given to college football’s top defensive back. A first-team All-Mountain West selection, Taylor had 71 tackles, three interceptions, including one that he returned for a touchdown, and four passes defensed last season. A 6-foot, 210-pound three-year starter for the Falcons, he had six career interceptions, projects as a sixth- or seventh-round pick and could give Baltimore some needed depth after the free agent departure of Geno Stone. NFL draft Round 1: Thursday, April 25, 8 p.m. Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 27, noon TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network View the full article

The beauty of the NFL draft is in the uncertainty. Less than three weeks before the first round begins April 25 in Detroit, there’s no consensus on how the first round will play out. The Chicago Bears drafting Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick is just about the only selection set in stone. But for as hard as the team and player pairings are to predict in mock drafts, there’s a much clearer picture of who the first-round caliber prospects are at this point of the calendar. With that in mind, let’s take a look at which players at positions of need could be available for the Ravens when they’re on the clock at No. 30 overall: Offensive line Amarius Mims, Georgia: There might not be a prospect with a wider range on the first night of the draft. At 6 feet, 8 inches tall and a lean (yes, lean) 340 pounds, Mims looks the part of an elite tackle, but he only made eight starts in his three-year career at Georgia. Questions about his lack of experience and durability could push him down the board to the Ravens, who might be thrilled to take a chance on the 21-year-old’s incredible potential. Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma: Guyton is the most popular pick for the Ravens in recent mock drafts, and it’s easy to see why. At 6-8 and 322 pounds, the former H-back has the size and athleticism to be a cornerstone tackle on the left or right side. But he’s still raw, which means he might not be ready to play right away for a team in need of a starting right tackle. Jordan Morgan, Arizona: Along with Guyton, Morgan has been a popular pairing for the Ravens. Baltimore might be interested too, having reportedly met with the lineman ahead of his pro day. The 6-5, 311-pound Morgan has the size and skill set to play tackle, but some analysts project him to be more successful at guard. Either way, he’ll need to get stronger to hold up at the next level. BYU right tackle Kingsley Suamataia waits for the snap during the Senior Bowl on Feb. 3 in Mobile, Alabama. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Kingsley Suamataia, BYU: Ranked No. 39 overall on the media consensus big board, Suamataia might be a reach late in the first round, but he has the profile of a prospect worth betting on. A former five-star recruit, the 6-5, 322-pound Suamataia is an explosive athlete with long arms and an aggressive mentality. Although he could need some time to develop and refine his technique, the Ravens’ patience could pay off in a high-end starter. Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon: The Ravens have their franchise center in Pro Bowl selection Tyler Linderbaum, but what if they want a potential Pro Bowl-caliber guard, too? The 6-3, 328-pound Powers-Johnson is considered by far the best interior offensive lineman in the draft after dominating the Senior Bowl and could step in immediately at one of the Ravens’ two vacant guard spots. Positional value suggests drafting interior linemen early is a poor use of resources, but there’s no doubt “JPJ” would bolster a group at the core of the Ravens’ identity. Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, Texas: A player who has drawn comparisons with George Pickens and Tee Higgins would certainly bring a different flavor to the Ravens’ receiver room. But for as enticing as Mitchell’s size, speed and catch radius are, the 6-2, 205-pound Georgia transfer also comes with plenty of question marks, notably inconsistent effort and some wasted movement in his route running. Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey catches a touchdown pass against TCU during the College Football Playoff national championship game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Jan. 9, 2023. (Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Ladd McConkey, Georgia: Behind star tight end Brock Bowers, McConkey was the second-leading receiver (762 yards, seven touchdowns) for offensive coordinator Todd Monken when the Bulldogs won a second straight national title in 2022. Might Monken want to bring his former pupil to Baltimore? The 6-foot, 186-pound McConkey can win both on the outside and from the slot, though he could struggle to beat press coverage because of his lack of size and strength. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens host ninth leadership conference empowering female high school athletes Baltimore Ravens | Ravens bring back OLB Kyle Van Noy on two-year deal for reported $9 million Baltimore Ravens | Buffalo Bills agree to trade receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans Baltimore Ravens | NFL mock draft (Version 4.0): Two-round projections with trades as team needs come into focus Baltimore Ravens | Offensive line or cornerback? Here are the Ravens’ biggest positions of need as NFL draft approaches. Xavier Worthy, Texas: Worthy turned heads with an NFL scouting combine-record time of 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash, but speed alone does not make a good wide receiver. He is only 5-11 and 165 pounds (first percentile among players drafted since 1999), so physical coverage can neutralize his elusiveness and prevent him from making contested catches. Any offense would like to add an elite vertical threat, but the first round might be too rich for Worthy. Keon Coleman, Florida State: A former basketball player at Michigan State, the 6-3, 213-pound Coleman brings an “above the rim” mentality to the receiver position with his ability to win jump balls and make contested catches. Although he ran the 40-yard dash in a disappointing 4.61 seconds and can struggle to separate from defenders, his combination of size, strength and reliable hands is enticing for a Ravens team in need of a big outside target. Edge rusher Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson rushes the passer against Rutgers on Nov. 18, 2023, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger) Chop Robinson, Penn State: The Gaithersburg native and Maryland transfer has been one of the draft’s rising stars after posting strong athletic testing numbers at the combine, including a blazing 4.48-second 40-yard dash at 254 pounds. What might drop him to the Ravens’ range is a lack of production at Penn State (9 1/2 combined sacks in the past two seasons), less-than-ideal size and subpar technique outside of an elite first step off the line of scrimmage. Darius Robinson, Missouri: If the Ravens are looking for someone to fill Jadeveon Clowney’s big shoes as an edge setter and a pass rusher, this could be the choice. The 6-5, 285-pound Robinson has the size, strength and length (34 1/2-inch arms) to line up all over the defensive front and offers plenty of potential after leading the Tigers in tackles for loss (14) and sacks (8 1/2) as a fifth-year senior. He needs to refine his game, but giving pass-rush guru Chuck Smith a tool kit like Robinson’s to work with could produce a star. Cornerback Cooper DeJean, Iowa: Some evaluators are split on whether DeJean is best at cornerback or safety after he started at both spots in college, but he has the tools to be an impact player in either role. An explosive athlete, the 6-foot, 203-pound DeJean is also a standout punt returner, but there are questions about his ability to play press and man-to-man coverage after excelling as a zone defender at Iowa. Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry celebrates during the Rose Bowl against Michigan on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, California. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama: Top players often fall into the Ravens’ lap during the draft, and McKinstry could be next in line. While more explosive athletes have jumped him in the rankings, his body of work as a three-year starter for coach Nick Saban’s excellent and demanding defense speaks for itself. Though McKinstry only recorded two interceptions in college, his awareness, length and poise fit the profile of a longtime NFL starter. Kamari Lassiter, Georgia: It’s unlikely the Ravens reach for a prospect but they could be tempted by the former Bulldogs standout. The 5-11, 186-pound Lassiter is aggressive, versatile and savvy, and he’s drawn rave reviews for his leadership and competitiveness inside one of the nation’s top programs. His size, speed and athleticism might be lacking for the position, but his intangibles could catch the Ravens’ attention. View the full article

There seems to be a lot of offensive tackles of quality in this draft. One of the very good ones should fall to us at 30. That's what I hope happens. Because of all the free agent losses, I agree with the analyst who said that DeCosta might have to stray a bit from his best player available draft strategy and go with the BPA for a position of need this year.

Leadership comes in many forms, some loud and others quiet. Thursday, the Ravens hosted the ninth L.I.F.T Conference (Leading and Inspiring Females to Thrive) at its Owings Mills practice facility. An estimated 180 female high school student-athletes attended the leadership seminar. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors applied with many receiving referrals from coaches and athletic directors. The criteria to be selected included student-athletes who serve as an “untitled leader” and “unsung hero” for their respective programs, according to the Ravens. “I heard about it from my older sister,” Mt. Hebron junior Lily Hofmann said. “She said it was a really good opportunity about leadership. She really likes the Ravens and I enjoy the Ravens a lot. We’re both very passionate about that. So, it’s just a good opportunity for women empowerment. I’m having a really good time here.” Ravens coach John Harbaugh and 2006 University of Maryland women’s basketball national champion and WNBA All-Star Marissa Coleman were featured speakers, while five Ravens female staff members in varying roles led a panel discussion. “There’s so many fantastic young people today that you get a chance to meet, Harbaugh said. “But the opportunity as a leader is to help somebody else feel good about themselves. Say something good to somebody during the course of the day. To look them in the eye and tell them they’re capable, worthwhile and they’re valuable is something they’ll remember for the rest of their life. That makes a difference. That’s a really powerful thing and I think these girls understand that.” Ravens director of nutrition Sarah Synder led a conversation surrounding nutrition while assistant strength and conditioning coach Kaelyn Buskey guided the girls in a workout in the team house. Jalyn Powell, a program manager at Strive, which provides specialized leadership training, also led the girls in interactive leadership exercises. Powell began the packed day with a 45-minute leadership workshop, focused on helping the girls realize their leadership strengths and weaknesses. The collaborative exercise encouraged audience participation and interaction with one another. “I would say the emphasis on confidence and empowerment,” Mt. Hebron junior Quinn Carberry said was her biggest takeaway. “How it plays a critical role in expanding your leadership skills and honestly just being more confident with yourself has been super important today.” Harbaugh entered next to an excited applause. He detailed the importance of positivity in leadership and uplifting those around you. Positivity is the first distinctive leadership lesson Harbaugh learned from his parents who constantly empowered him and his brother, Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh. Laying out his leadership philosophy, Harbaugh fielded a range of questions from how he handles a loss to Justin Tucker’s practice habits. “Anybody can be a leader. A leader is how you make somebody feel,” he said. “Maya Angelou said, ‘You remember how somebody made you feel in the end.’ If you can make somebody feel good about themselves, empower somebody, make them stronger, then they’ll remember that for the rest of their life.” The five-person panel was particularly illuminating to the student-athletes. Each panelist shared their respective journeys to the Ravens, offering valuable advice on networking and work-life balance. Their perspectives opened up the eyes of many in the audience. “There have been so many different segments,” Mt. Hebron junior Phoebe Hogle said. “Coach Harbaugh came out and he gave his speech. He gave a lot of interesting, almost more philosophical-type prompts to really get us into thinking more than just the game play. It’s a whole system and everyone has their parts. All of these women shared the great leadership roles that they are in inside of the system. How it all works together is really beautiful.” Hours of sitting quickly turned to energetic physical activity. Buskey worked with fellow coaches Megan Rosburg and Marianna Salas to create a workout that replicated what the Ravens players will do in the offseason. Rotating between multiple stations, the coaches explained the purpose of each exercise. For 40 minutes, the girls worked out like Ravens. “It’s a really big passion of mine to expose girls at a young age to career opportunities in sports and how they exist outside of simply playing,” Buskey said. “Analytics, strength and conditioning, athletic training, sports nutrition, public relations and marketing just to name a few. We have so many career opportunities and I think that’s the awesome added benefit of this leadership conference.” The conference helps introduce those opportunities to girls at a younger age. “We’re trying to almost play catch up a little bit because this is not something that is not marketed toward girls at the elementary, middle school age,” Buskey said. “So, something as simple as this eight-hour experience that they’re here I think exposes them to that. I think they’re now open to the idea of pursuing a career in sports, especially in football.” Snyder then led a 40-minute presentation on nutrition. She shared her day-to-day responsibilities with the team and gave helpful tips for pre and postgame meals, depending on the sport. Eighteen years to the day after winning a collegiate national championship, Coleman described Thursday as a “full circle moment.” She shared wisdom that she wished she had as a high school athlete. “I think it’s just to feel empowered,” Coleman said of her message. “To see that there are people that want to see them be successful and the different ways that you can lead and be into sports. I think the more conversations and experiences like this the better. Then you realize you’re not the only one experiencing some things. Young girls, it’s even harder on them because they’re dealing with so many outside forces, too.” Coleman’s message capped off an educational day filled with smiles, laughs and thought, lifting up the next generation of leaders and female student-athletes. “It really opened my eyes that women are allowed to do this,” City freshman Michaela Breit said. “I want to be involved in sports, especially football or basketball when I’m older. But I don’t think I’ll necessarily play, so especially when it comes to the NFL, I want to be involved in that somehow. Seeing all these women today that are involved somehow was definitely inspiring.” View the full article

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2024-nfl-mock-draft-broncos-trade-back-but-still-land-bo-nix-jared-verse-to-falcons/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2024/04/03/nfl-mock-draft-quarterback-trade-jj-mccarthy-broncos-vikings/73171628007/

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nfl-mock-draft-patriots-trade-out-of-no-3-but-still-get-their-qb-and-what-do-bills-do-after-stefon-diggs-trade-141947847.html https://www.nfl.com/news/maurice-jones-drew-2024-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-five-qbs-in-top-six-bills-nab-wr-after-stefon-diggs-trade

You get him in a prove it yr. Also if you choose to let him walk you get a comp pick.