ExtremeRavens Posted 14 hours ago Posted 14 hours ago Is it NFL draft season already in Baltimore? The Ravens are 1-5 after Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams, matching their worst start in franchise history. If the season ended today, Baltimore would net the second overall pick in the 2026 draft. It’s rare territory for a franchise that has been among the most successful in all of pro sports since entering the NFL in 1996. In fact, since 2000, the Ravens have only picked in the top 10 three times — and picked an All-Pro each time: running back Jamal Lewis (5th overall, 2000), edge rusher Terrell Suggs (10th, 2003) and left tackle Ronnie Stanley (6th, 2016). Don’t get too excited, though. With Lamar Jackson likely returning after the Ravens’ Week 7 bye, Baltimore has a favorable schedule to try and bounce back from its shockingly poor start. Oddsmakers still consider the Ravens a contender to win the AFC North, while ESPN’s FPI — which projects results based on 10,000 simulations of the rest of the season — predicts Baltimore to finish around 7-10. But if the Ravens do end up having a premier pick in April, who could be available? Here’s an early look at the top prospects at key positions of need: Edge rusher With Odafe Oweh traded and Kyle Van Noy playing in a contract year at age 34, the Ravens could use some help to get after the quarterback. Baltimore drafted Mike Green in the second round last season, but he’s still unproven. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami: There might not be a more impressive player in the country this season than Bain, who leads all defensive linemen with a 95.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Miami native has recorded 24 quarterback pressures to go along with two sacks, four tackles for loss, one forced fumble and an interception. T.J. Parker, Clemson: Parker has been a rising star since his debut season, in which he broke Clemson’s true freshman record with 12 1/2 tackles for loss. He followed that up with 11 sacks in 2024, but he hasn’t been as productive thus far this season (2 sacks, 5 1/2 tackles for loss). Keldric Faulk, Auburn: The former four-star recruit played in every game as a true freshman and burst onto the scene with 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a sophomore. Mel Kiper said that the 6-6, 285-pound defensive end is an “LTPer” — someone who looks the part — though PFF notes that he stands to improve as a pass rusher. David Bailey, Texas Tech: The 6-3, 250-pound transfer has been a force for the upstart Red Raiders, leading the FBS with a 24.6% pressure rate and 8 1/2 sacks after recording 14 1/2 in three seasons at Stanford. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M: The Bowling Green transfer is enjoying a breakout season with the Aggies, recording 7 1/2 sacks in his first six games. ESPN draft expert Jordan Reid writes that Howell’s upfield burst, bend and closing speed are “Round 1-worthy traits.” Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods could help solidify a reeling Ravens defense. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) Defensive linemen With Nnamdi Madbuike’s future uncertain after being ruled out for the season with a neck injury and Travis Jones set to enter free agency, the middle of the Ravens’ defense will likely need some reinforcements. Peter Woods, Clemson: The 6-3, 315-pound Woods could be the next great interior lineman the Tigers produce following Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins. Woods’ stats this season are underwhelming (1 1/2 tackles for loss, 1/2 sack), but his versatility and strength will be coveted. Caleb Banks, Florida: A foot injury in the preseason that later required surgery is a big red flag, especially for a 6-6, 330-pound lineman. If Banks alleviates any medical concerns, he has the potential to be a disruptive force. A’Mauri Washington, Oregon: This is just his first season as a starter, but the 6-3, 330-pound Washington has already put himself in the Round 1 conversation with what Reid calls an “explosive interior presence.” LT Overton, Alabama: The Ravens love players from Alabama, which has produced many quality defensive linemen over the years. The 6-5, 278-pound Overton, a Texas A&M transfer, has five tackles for loss and three sacks so far this season. Would the Ravens be tempted to draft another first-round safety in Ohio State's Caleb Downs? (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) Defensive back The Ravens seemingly have their safety duo of the future in former first-round picks Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks, but finding a reliable third option has proven difficult. Cornerback could also be a soft spot if Marlon Humphrey doesn’t return in 2026. Caleb Downs, Ohio State: Like Hamilton before him, Downs is the rare safety with the talent to be picked in the top half of the first round. The 6-foot, 205-pound Alabama transfer is an instinctive player and sure tackler who has helped lead one of the best defenses in the country over the past two seasons. Mansoor Delane, LSU: After transferring from Virginia Tech, the 6-foot, 190-pound Silver Spring native has raised his game. According to PFF, Delane has earned an 89.9 coverage grade while allowing just six receptions for 77 receiving yards. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee: The biggest question for McCoy is his health after he suffered a torn ACL in January. Assuming his rehabilitation goes according to plan, the 6-foot, 193-pound Oregon State transfer has shown a nose for the ball, recording four interceptions in 2024. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson: The last name should be familiar to football fans, as Terrell is the younger brother of Falcons corner and former Tigers star A.J. Terrell Jr. The 5-11, 180-pound Avieon has recorded 24 pass breakups and three interceptions over three seasons. Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese has been one of the breakout stars of this college football season. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez) Linebacker Roquan Smith remains the leader of the Ravens’ defense, but his performance has slipped a bit in recent years while Trenton Simpson and Teddye Buchanan have yet to solidify themselves in the starting lineup. There could be an opening for a new man in the middle. Arvell Reese, Ohio State: The 6-foot-4, 245-pound true junior is one of the breakout stars of the season across college football. PFF lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema writes that Reese has a “rare combination of athleticism and instincts when triggering downhill as a run defender, quarterback spy, blitzer or even true pass-rusher.” Sonny Styles, Ohio State: Not to be overshadowed is another Buckeyes star who has been one of the nation’s top defenders since moving from safety to linebacker. The 6-4, 243-pound Styles has an 81.2 run-defense grade with zero missed tackles this season, according to PFF. CJ Allen, Georgia: The 6-1, 235-pound Allen has stuffed the stat sheet already this season, recording 4 1/2 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. Kiper writes that Allen is a “three-down linebacker at the next level because his read-and-react skills are excellent and he can make plays in all three aspects of the defense.” Anthony Hill Jr., Texas: Reid notes that Hill is a “versatile playmaker who is capable of playing the edge along with the second level,” which will be attractive to the Ravens. The 6-3, 238-pound Hill recorded 13 sacks in his first two college seasons. Francis Mauigoa plays right tackle for Miami, but he could help the Ravens at guard. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit) Offensive linemen Left tackle Ronnie Stanley is under contract through 2027 and Roger Rosengarten is entrenched at right tackle for now, but the two starting guard spots next to center Tyler Linderbaum are open for debate. It might not be too early to invest in an eventual Stanley replacement, either. Spencer Fano, Utah: The 6-6, 302-pound Fano has experience at both left and right tackle but could end up playing on the inside to begin his NFL career. Kiper, who ranks Fano as his 10th overall player, writes that he is “technically sound and shows good punch to compensate for his lack of ideal arm length.” Francis Mauigoa, Miami: Both of the consensus top tackle prospects could be better suited at guard, which is a bigger need for Baltimore anyway. The 6-6, 315-pound right tackle is known for his powerful run blocking and has only given up two sacks and two hurries on 153 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama: The 6-7, 366-pound Proctor might rival current Ravens guard Daniel Faaele in bulk, which means he might be a better guard than a tackle. He struggled out of the gate this season at left tackle, allowing seven pressures and a sack against Florida State, and opinions are mixed about whether he can handle NFL-caliber pass rushers. Gennings Dunker, Iowa: The red-haired Dunker sports a mullet and mustache combo that is sure to make him a fan favorite wherever he goes. On the field, the 6-5, 315-pound right tackle is a dominant run blocker who could also shift inside at the next level. Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State: One of the few bright spots during a poor start for the Nittany Lions that got coach James Franklin fired, Ioane, nicknamed “Vega,” has been perhaps the best interior lineman in the country. The 6-4, 330-pound guard has earned a 92.0 pass-blocking grade, per PFF. Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson 47 catches for 523 yards and seven touchdowns already this season. (AP Photo/Jeffrey D. Allred) Wide receiver While Zay Flowers has flashed WR1 potential, he’s yet to negotiate a contract extension. Rashod Bateman is under contract through 2029, but he hasn’t made much of an impact yet this season. DeAndre Hopkins is on a one-year deal. In short, adding another wide receiver might make sense. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State: The 6-2, 200-pound Tyson is a big play waiting to happen with 47 catches for 523 yards and seven touchdowns already this season. His ability to outjump and outmuscle defenders is something the Ravens have lacked before adding Hopkins this year. Makai Lemon, USC: While Lemon might work best in the slot role that Flowers typically occupies, it would be fun to see them pair up. The 5-11, 195-pound junior has been one of the nation’s most productive receivers with 44 catches for 682 yards and six touchdowns this season. Denzel Boston, Washington: The 6-4, 210-pound Boston has the size and physicality of a prototypical X receiver but has shown an ability to win from the slot, too. His contested-catch ability would be a nice gift for Jackson. Carnell Tate, Ohio State: Kiper ranks Tate as his 12th overall player, noting that he is “a precise route runner, has great hands and displays outstanding body control.” Like former Buckeyes stars Emeka Egbuka, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Chris Olave, the 6-3, 195-pound Tate is a polished player who could step in immediately and help elevate the offense. Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq could be the Ravens' tight end of the future. (AP Photo/Matt Marton) Tight end Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar are all playing out the final years of their respective contracts, so adding a tight end this offseason might be more important than fans realize. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon: The thought of the Ravens using a high draft pick on a tight end seems improbable, but wouldn’t it be fun? The 6-3, 245-pound Sadiq is a mismatch nightmare with his explosiveness and speed and would elevate any offense with his receiving and blocking skills. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article Quote
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