The Ravens' 2024 draft class is on the field this weekend, providing a first glimpse into what they could offer this season and beyond.
Here are my thoughts on this year's group, all in 50 words or less:
On the day of the draft, I projected the Ravens would go cornerback-offensive tackle with their first two picks, but picked the wrong guys. It was partly because of size. Nate Wiggins and Roger Rosengarten must get bigger and stronger. But that can be remedied. Speed and athleticism cannot.
General Manager Eric DeCosta said Rosengarten "does everything pretty well." There were other high-ceiling second-round offensives tackles the Ravens liked, but Rosengarten topped the list because he was a "very safe, clean pick." Baltimore won't hesitate to make him a Day 1 starter if he earns it this summer.
Baltimore is a great landing spot for Wiggins, in part, because he doesn't have pressure to step in and be an immediate starter. He'll play a lot of meaningful snaps as a rookie, but don't expect him to be thrown into the fire the way Zay Flowers was last year.
The Ravens went into the 2024 offseason looking to rebuild their offensive line, mostly through the draft. Instead, they did more heavy lifting at cornerback. Fourth-round pick T.J. Tampa may not be far behind Wiggins when it comes to starting, depending on the futures of Brandon Stephens and Marlon Humphrey.
The Ravens bet on Wiggins, passing up eight trade offers to move back and perhaps take cornerback Cooper DeJean. They've also bet on Rashod Bateman, not only with the extension, but by passing on four straight wideouts picked right after No. 30 – Ricky Pearsall, Xavier Legette, Keon Coleman, Ladd McConkey.
Devontez Walker is the ninth wide receiver the Ravens have drafted in the fourth round. The best rookie season belongs to Demetrius Williams (22 catches, 396 yards, two touchdowns) in 2006. Everybody else had a combined 20 catches for 211 yards. Armed with elite traits, Walker will defy the odds.
My prediction is Walker rivals Williams' production and tops Tylan Wallace, Jaleel Scott, Chris Moore, Tandon Doss, Marcus Smith, Ron Johnson, and Brandon Stokley. The Ravens, including Lamar Jackson, felt like a big, fast receiver who could make plays over the top was the missing piece in the aerial attack.
DeCosta wanted to take a guard earlier in the draft, but their board got "wiped out." While he likes the in-house starting options, there's was interest in adding more competition and I expect a signing at some point. The question is whether it's an obvious starter or veteran fallback option.
Andrew Vorhees is like a mid-round pick in this year's draft, except better. While he didn't see the field last year as he rehabbed his knee, Vorhees was in meetings and got lessons on how to be a pro. He knows he must prove it on the field this summer
Here's how the Ravens' unofficial depth chart is shaping up after the 2024 draft class has been selected.
QB No.1 - Lamar Jackson
The two-time MVP has participated in voluntary workouts and can build off 2023 heading into Year 2 with Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken.
QB No. 2 – Josh Johnson
Head Coach John Harbaugh has named Johnson the No. 2 quarterback and his presence gives the Ravens an experienced veteran in the backup role.
QB No. 3 - Devin Leary
Quarterbacks Coach Tee Martin was impressed with Leary, a sixth-round pick with NFL arm talent, who can be groomed while competing for a roster spot.
QB No. 4 - Malik Cunningham
Cunningham is a developmental quarterback signed off New England's practice squad last December, but it remains to be seen if he can find a role at quarterback or wide receiver.
RB No. 1 - Derrick Henry
The Ravens made a blockbuster move by signing Henry, and "The King" reported to the voluntary program eager to help his new teammates chase a Super Bowl.
RB No. 2 - Justice Hill
Hill can run between the tackles, bounce outside, catch passes, pick up blitzes and play special teams as a valuable member of the roster.
RB No. 3 - Keaton Mitchell
Mitchell's return date is uncertain as he recovers from a December knee injury, but his breakaway speed adds an important dimension to the ground attack.
RB No. 4 - Rasheen Ali
A fifth-round pick, Ali could join the running back rotation if he has a strong training camp and avoids the fumbles that plagued him in college.
RB No. 5 - Owen Wright
An undrafted rookie out of Monmouth last year, Wright contributed on special teams last year and faces another uphill batter for a roster spot.
WR No. 1 - Zay Flowers
Flowers set the franchise rookie record for receiving yards (858) and could surpass his 77-catch season with a year of experience under his belt.
WR No. 2 – Rashod Bateman
This is a key season for the fourth-year receiver, who is healthy and slated to have a key role in the passing attack after recently signing a contract extension.
WR No. 3 – Nelson Agholor
Agholor re-signed with Baltimore after being a reliable weapon last year (35 catches, 381 yards, four touchdowns) and figures to have a similar role.
WR No. 4 - Devontez Walker
Walker's potential as an added deep threat could earn him a role as a rookie, particularly if he shows the polish to create separation on intermediate routes.
WR No. 5 - Deonte Harty
The Baltimore native was signed during free agency after making an impact with the Bills last season as a receiver (15 catches) and on special teams (punt return touchdown).
WR No. 6 - Tylan Wallace
Wallace's walk-off punt return to defeat the Rams was one of last season's golden moments, and special teams could be his best avenue to secure his roster position.
WR No. 7 - Sean Ryan
Ryan spent last season on the practice squad after being an undrafted rookie and will compete to earn a place on the 53-man roster.
TE No. 1 - Mark Andrews
The three-time Pro Bowler made an impressive comeback from ankle surgery to play in the AFC Championship game and is always a premier player at his position.
TE No. 2 – Isaiah Likely
Likely (30 catches, 411 yards, five touchdowns) broke out after Andrews was injured, which should mean a bigger role in the offense in 2024.
TE No. 3 - Charlie Kolar
Kolar has the talent to be targeted more, but his best path to offensive playing time is as more of an inline blocker.
TE No. 4 - Scotty Washington
After being signed to the practice squad last November, Washington re-signed and is battling for a roster spot.
FB No. 1 - Pat Ricard
The four-time Pro Bowler is one of the NFL's most punishing blockers and will have an opportunity to create alleys for Henry.
LT No. 1 - Ronnie Stanley
Injuries have plagued Stanley in recent seasons, but he's still only 30 years old and hopes to return to Pro Bowl form.
RT No. 2 – Roger Rosengarten
Second-round pick Rosengarten has a legitimate chance to go from starting at right tackle for Washington in the national championship to starting Week 1 for the Ravens.
OT No. 3 – Patrick Mekari
The versatile veteran remains ready to start or backup anywhere on the offensive line if necessary.
OT No. 4 - Daniel Faalele
Faalele could also win the right tackle competition and has continued to improve during his two seasons in Baltimore.
RG No. 1 - Ben Cleveland
With three years of experience in Baltimore and seven career starts, this could be Cleveland's time to seize a role as a full-time starter.
LG No. 2 - Josh Jones
Signed during free agency, Jones has 24 career starts which could give him the edge in an open competition at left guard.
OG No. 3 – Andrew Vorhees
After missing the 2023 season with a knee injury, Vorhees will also vie for a starting job after being a seventh-round pick in 2023.
OG No. 4 – Sala Aumavae-Laulu
A sixth-round pick in 2023, Aumavae-Laulu may challenge for a starting job, but may need more experience to beat out the competition.
C No. 1 – Tyler Linderbaum
Linderbaum has become a Pro Bowler in two seasons and looks like he'll be a stellar centerpiece in the offensive line for the next decade.
C No. 2 – Nick Samac
The seventh-round pick can also play guard, but Samac was Michigan State's starting center the past two seasons and that figures to be his best position as a rookie.
DL No. 1 - Justin Madubuike
Madubuike signed a well-deserved contract extension this offseason after becoming an All-Pro and during a dominant season in which he recorded a career-high 13 sacks.
DL No. 2 – Michael Pierce
After one of his best seasons in 2023, the 31-year-old Pierce signed a two-year contract extension in January and remains a key force on the defensive front.
DL No. 3 – Travis Jones
One of the team's strongest players, Jones is earning more snaps each season as he continues tapping into his potential.
DL No. 4 – Broderick Washington
Washington signed a three-year extension in 2023 and has established himself as a core member of the defensive line rotation.
DL No. 5 – Brent Urban
Urban has put together a solid career as a reliable and durable defensive lineman who has 150 tackles during his eight NFL seasons.
DL No. 6 – Rayshad Nichols
Nichols was undrafted in 2022 and has been on the practice squad for two seasons vying for a bigger role.
DL No. 7 – Bravvion Roy
Roy was on the practice squad last year. His only career interception came in 2022 , when he was with the Panthers and picked off Lamar Jackson.
OLB No. 1 – Odafe Oweh
The Ravens announced April 30 that they have picked up Oweh's fifth-year option, as he continues to grow as an all-around pass rusher and run defender.
OLB No. 2 – Kyle Van Noy
Van Noy produced a career high 9 sacks in 2023 and re-signing him was one of Baltimore's biggest offseason moves.
OLB No. 3 – David Ojabo
There is anticipation to see what a healthy Ojabo will do, after two injury-plagued seasons that have slowed the progress of a talented player.
OLB No. 4 – Malik Harrison
A solid run defender and special teamer, Harrison is one of the team's most physical tacklers and remains an important performer on special teams.
OLB No. 5 – Tavius Robinson
Getting 335 defensive reps as a rookie last season could help Robinson in his battle with Adisa Isaac and Ojabo to earn reps.
OLB No. 6 – Adisa Isaac
The third-round pick could be part of the outside linebacker rotation immediately, particularly on passing downs if he's getting to the opposing quarterback.
OLB No. 7 – Malik Hamm
The Baltimore native was on injured reserve (ankle) in 2023 after making the initial 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie.
ILB No. 1 – Roquan Smith
Smith has been first-team All-Pro the past two seasons and has emerged as the emotional tone setter for Baltimore's defense.
ILB No. 2 – Trenton Simpson
Simpson's will play a much larger role as the presumed starter next to Smith, and the Ravens showed confidence in him but not drafting an inside linebacker.
ILB No. 3 - Chris Board
Board signed for his second tenure in Baltimore during the offseason, and brings his talents as a special teams standout and capable linebacker.
ILB No. 4 – Josh Ross
Ross has been on the practice squad the past two seasons after joining the Ravens undrafted in 2022 out of Michigan.
CB No. 1 – Marlon Humphrey
Staying healthy will the primary goal for Humphrey, a three-time Pro Bowler who was limited to a career-low 10 games in 2023.
CB No. 2 – Brandon Stephens
Stephens locked down a starting job last season and was impressive as the team's most consistent corner.
CB No. 3 – Nate Wiggins
Most draft experts thought Williams would be off the board at No. 30, and the first-round rookie adds talented depth at a key position where injuries are not uncommon.
CB No. 4 - Arthur Maulet
Maulet is a tenacious slot cornerback who loves the action inside, and the Ravens made re-signing him one of their offseason priorities.
CB No. 5 – Jalyn Armour-Davis
Staying on the field and stringing together solid practice days will be key for Armour-Davis to keep from being passed on the depth chart.
CB No. 6 – Damarion "Pepe" Williams
Williams doesn't have a guaranteed role, with the Ravens having safeties and corners capable of playing the slot effectively.
CB No. 7 - T.J. Tampa
Tampa is another rookie who stayed on the draft board longer than expected, and the fourth-round pick has a chip on his shoulder to earn playing time right away.
CB No. 8 - Ka'Dar Hollman
The 29-year-old Hollman, a strong special teams player, will be competing for a roster spot after being signed in March.
CB No. 9 - Trayvon Mullen
Mullen, Jackson's cousin who began his career in 2019 with the Raiders, spent last season on the non-football injury list
CB No. 10 - Tre Swilling
Undrafted in 2022, Swilling will have to stand out quickly to have a realistic chance to make the roster at one of Baltimore's deepest positions.
S No. 1 - Kyle Hamilton
He emerged into an All-Pro game-changer in his second season, capable of making plays all over the field as a dynamic and versatile defender.
S No. 2 – Marcus Williams
Williams showed his toughness last season playing through injuries, and his range in the secondary makes quarterbacks reluctant to attack Baltimore downfield.
S No. 3 – Ar'Darius Washington
Washington can play safety or corner, but the Ravens have a need at backup safety and he could be the answer.
S No. 4 – Sanoussi Kane
Baltimore's final pick in the draft has a chance to find a role immediately, as a backup and on special teams.
K – Justin Tucker
The most accurate kicker in NFL history gives the Ravens an important weapon who can turn in close games in their favor.
S – Jordan Stout
He became more consistent in Year 2 and his powerful leg should provide booming kicks for years to come.
LS – Nick Moore
After missing last season with a torn Achilles, Moore is expected rejoin the Ravens' trio of specialists.
There's a bunch of intriguing prospects in the Ravens' undrafted rookie class. With 14 free agency departures and just a handful of additions, plus only nine draft picks, Baltimore has room on the roster. That surely helped with recruiting. The next Keaton Mitchell may be in this class.
If I'm handicapping the undrafted rookie class sight unseen, I'd say Maryland's Beau Brade has the best chance to make the 53-man roster. The Ravens need another safety for depth after Geno Stone's departure. Seventh-round pick Sanoussi Kane was eight picks away from going undrafted. That's a pretty level competition.
