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Ravens Insider: Ravens 7-round mock draft: Who might be a fit for new coach Jesse Minter?

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With a new coach in place, the Ravens enter one of the most fascinating offseasons in team history.

Jesse Minter is still rounding out his staff, which includes 29-year-old offensive coordinator and first-time play-caller Declan Doyle, run game coordinator/offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford and former Navy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker. Minter will call the defensive plays after doing so with the Los Angeles Chargers and Michigan, but the 42-year-old brought in former Baltimore assistant Anthony Weaver to be his defensive coordinator.

While John Harbaugh is gone, there is still continuity in the front office and the same organizational structure in place. General manager Eric DeCosta, who led the search for Minter, remains in charge of player personnel. While it’s unknown how DeCosta and Minter will approach free agency, which includes several high-profile players from Baltimore and Los Angeles, the draft will be crucial in filling out a roster that aims to contend for a Super Bowl title after a disappointing season that fell short of the playoffs.

Contract negotiations with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is set to count $74.5 million against the salary cap next season under the terms of his current five-year, $260 million deal, adds even more urgency to find impact players at positions of need.

With the help of Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator, here are The Baltimore Sun’s early projections for the Ravens’ 11 picks, including four projected compensatory selections:

Round 1, No. 14 overall: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

The Ravens’ first pick will set the tone for what kind of team they want to build under Minter. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Faulk is an intriguing prospect with a long frame and the versatility to line up across odd or even fronts. NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein writes that Faulk is “a culture player with high character who earns a grade bump based on his age (turns 21 in September), traits and advanced foundation.” Faulk only recorded 10 sacks in three college seasons, but he has the potential to grow into a productive pass rusher for a team that desperately needs one.

Also considered: LSU CB Mansoor Delane, Clemson DT Peter Woods, Washington WR Denzel Boston

Round 2, No. 45: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

If Nnamdi Madubuike’s recent “good news” tweet is indeed an indication that he could be coming back next season, perhaps the need for an interior defensive linemen is not as immediate. Regardless, the Ravens need to improve their rotation up front next to Travis Jones, John Jenkins and 2025 sixth-round pick Aeneas Peebles. CBS Sports’ Mike Renner writes that “no defensive tackle in this class has shown a more consistent ability to shed blocks” than the 6-4, 330-pound Hunter.

Also considered: Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr., Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore, Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds

Round 3, No. 80: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State

Even if the Ravens keep pending free agent center Tyler Linderbaum, there are two guard spots next to him up for grabs to replace Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele. The 6-4, 300-pound Hecht might be a bit undersized, but he impressed at the Senior Bowl and is excellent on the move. That will be critical for the wide zone running plays expected to be used by Doyle and Ledford.

Also considered: Penn State S Zakee Wheatley, Duke OT Brian Parker II, Florida C Jake Slaughter

Round 4, No. 115: Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan

The Bears used 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) at one of the highest rates in the NFL last season under Doyle and coach Ben Johnson. Mark Andrews is back after signing an extension, but Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely are hitting the open market. Needless to say, the Ravens need at least one more tight end. Minter will have plenty of familiarity with the 6-6, 250-pound Klein, who “shows the effort and mentality to become a difference-making in-line tight end,” according to PFF’s Trevor Sikkema.

Also considered: Arkansas CB Julian Neal, Texas S Michael Taaffe, North Dakota State WR Bryce Lance

Round 5, No. 152: Tacario Davis, CB, Washington

What the Ravens do with veteran Marlon Humphrey and pending free agent Chidobe Awuzie this offseason will determine how aggressively they address the cornerback position during the draft. Behind Nate Wiggins, who himself struggled at times this past season, there are a lot of question marks. The 6-4, 200-pound Davis allowed a 50.6 passer rating when targeted this past season, according to TruMedia, one of the best marks in the Big Ten.

Also considered: Texas DT Cole Brevard, Kentucky C Jager Burton, BYU WR Chase Roberts

Round 5, No. 160 (via trade): Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan

Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito is joining Minter’s staff, and he could be eyeing a familiar face. The 6-4, 305-pound Benny ranked in the top 15 in pressures among Big Ten interior defensive linemen this past season (18) and stood out at the Senior Bowl. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler writes that “his ability to run through gaps and his long arms will help him make an impact right away in the NFL.”

Also considered: USC S Bishop Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh LB Kyle Louis, Indiana C Pat Coogan

Round 5, No. 172 (compensatory): Kage Casey, OT/G, Boise State

Given the uncertainty at the position, expect the Ravens to leave the draft with more than one offensive lineman. The 6-foot-5 Casey played exclusively left tackle at Boise State, but he has the versatility to kick inside at the next level. ESPN analyst Matt Miller came away impressed by Casey at the Senior Bowl, writing that “he’s an ideal zone guard with starter upside.”

Also considered: NC State CB Devon Marshall, Houston TE Tanner Koziol, Duke EDGE Vincent Anthony Jr.

Round 5, No. 173 (compensatory): VJ Payne, S, Kansas State

Depending on what happens with pending free agents Alohi Gilman and Ar’Darius Washington, the Ravens could be looking for more help at safety behind starters Malaki Starks and Kyle Hamilton. The 6-3, 208-pound Payne started 41 straight games to end his career at Kansas State and was reportedly the fastest player on the team with a GPS-tracked speed of 23.37 mph.

Also considered: Oregon CB Jadon Canady, Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher, Florida WR J. Michael Sturdivant

Round 6, No. 209 (via trade): Landon Robinson, DT, Navy

With Minter’s good friend Volker coming to Baltimore, there’s an obvious connection to the Midshipmen. The 5-11, 287-pound Robinson was a team captain, a 2025 first-team All-American and ranked No. 13 on Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” entering the 2025 season.

Also considered: Utah LB Lander Barton, Illinois WR Hank Beatty, Maryland CB Jalen Huskey

Round 7, No. 249 (compensatory): Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU

The Ravens have a solid inside linebacker rotation with Roquan Smith, Teddye Buchanan, Trenton Simpson and Jay Higgins IV, but Buchanan is coming off a torn ACL and Simpson has yet to solidify his role after being drafted in the 2023 third round. There’s room for special teams snaps, too, with Jake Hummel entering free agency. The 6-2, 230-pound Elarms-Orr flashed some impressive coverage ability at the Senior Bowl.

Also considered: Wisconsin EDGE Mason Reiger, UCLA OT Garrett DiGiorgio, UCF EDGE Nyjalik Kelly

Round 7, No. 252 (compensatory): Kaden Wetjen, WR/KR, Iowa

There’s room for some competition next to 2025 sixth-round pick LaJohntay Wester to be the Ravens’ punt returner. The 5-9, 196-pound Wetjen (pronounced Wee-gin) showed game-breaking ability at Iowa, scoring six career return touchdowns and averaging a nation-best 26.8 yards per punt return this past season. He was the only player in program history to score a rushing, receiving, kickoff return, and punt return touchdown in the same season.

Also considered: Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis, Auburn G Jeremiah Wright, JMU S Jacob Thomas

Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon.

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