Baltimore Beatdown staff’s Day 1 predictions for the 2024 NFL Draft:
Considering rumors of an extended run on offensive lineman that could decimate the first round board, perhaps the Ravens will employ their zig-zag strategy to land a tremendous value at another premium position of need with pick 30. Surely mammoth offensive tackles Amarius Mims and Tyler Guyton will generate strong consideration if either are available when the Ravens go on the clock. Late rising lineman Kingsley Suamataia could also be the selection if Baltimore is dead-set on a blocker.
However, it would be hard to pass on the rarely available athletic profiles and difference-making skillsets of wideout Adonai Mitchell and cornerback Nate Wiggins. Ultimately, I’ll predict general manager Eric DeCosta picks “solid-double” Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry to solidify a pass defense that was hit hard by free agent defections.
– Vasilis Lericos
The Ravens should have plenty of options available to them at No. 30 overall, including suitors to trade back with and acquire extra draft picks. However, should they stay put and make a selection, they’ll inevitably draft the best player on their board. Offensive tackle has been the most popular projection for the Ravens’ first round pick and for good reason. They badly need a starting-caliber player at right tackle and potential long-term solution on the left side. The Ravens have not drafted an offensive tackle in the first round since taking Ronnie Stanley in 2016. Similarly, they haven’t drafted a cornerback in Round 1 since 2017.
While drafting a corner is also a real possibility, I believe the Ravens will stay true to their expressed desire to retool and upgrade their offensive line. Eric DeCosta will dip back into the Oklahoma Sooner well and draft Tyler Guyton, who can be a cornerstone piece at the position. If Guyton is gone by pick No. 30, the next best offensive tackle — such as Jordan Morgan or Armarius Mims — seem like probable options as well.
– Frank Platko
The Ravens most glaring need remains on the offensive line and, in particular, at tackle where they have a vacancy on the right side up for grabs. They might have another opening following the 2024 season when current franchise blindside protector Ronnie Stanley’s contract is set to expire. Although both starting guard spots are also open, the Ravens have several promising in-house options who were recently drafted and will get a chance to compete.
With all that being stated, I believe the Ravens will go with a defensive back with their first pick if Iowa’s Cooper DeJean or Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry are still available when they come on the clock. Don’t be surprised if one of them ends up hearing their names called over one of the projected offensive tackle prospects who have been popularly mocked to them the past few months such as Arizona’s Jordan Morgan, Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton or Georgia’s Amaruis Mims. Cornerback wasn’t their biggest need in 2017 when they selected Marlon Humphrey No. 16 overall but they like to rotate their top three at the spot regardless of health status and know all too well what a lack of quality cornerback depth can cost them when it comes to final stretch of the regular season and in the playoffs.
I could see them bypassing tackle in the first round and either sticking and picking whoever falls to No. 62 overall in the second or trading one of their fourth rounders this year or a 2025 pick to move up to take one of the offensive tackles still remaining early on Day 2.
– Joshua Reed
Let’s be honest. For the most, the Ravens are pretty chalk, especially during the first round. They stick in their spot and draft the best player left 95% of the time. This year will probably be no different. The obvious choice is Jordan Morgan, who they’ve been linked to for the past month, or a trade back. But I think the Ravens surprise us a little.
The defense has been ravaged. Their defensive coordinator, secondary coach, and defensive line coach are gone. Patrick Queen, Geno Stone, Jadeveon Clowney, Ronald Darby are also gone. I think one of Kool-Aid McKinstry or Cooper DeJean will remain when the Ravens pick at 30. That will be the pick.
Nobody loves corners more than the Ravens (and me). They remind everybody of that with their highest drafted corner since Marlon Humphrey in 2017. Their highest pick since then has been Anthony Averett at 118 (Brandon Stephens at 104 doesn’t count, he was drafted as a safety then). They quickly supplement their defense with an instant starter and help their first year defensive coordinator Zach Orr.
– Zach Canter
The Ravens have, for the most part, hit the first round of the NFL Draft out of the park the last few years. In 2022, they drafted two Pro-Bowlers in the first round in safety Kyle Hamilton and center Tyler Linderbaum. At the time, these picks were controversial. They weren’t positions of immediate need or “premium positions”. Two years later, and the NFL still is wondering how players like Hamilton and Linderbaum were there for the Ravens taking.
With no positions of immediate need, I expect the Ravens to stick to their best player available philosophy and take Iowa corner Cooper DeJean with pick No. 30. The Ravens absolutely love versatile defenders and DeJean is about as versatile as it gets on defense, displaying the ability to play in the nickel, outside, and at safety. A defense with Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, and DeJean would be about as versatile as you can get and solidify the Baltimore secondary for years to come.
– Stephen Bopst