Offensive tackle and wideout are the Ravens’ most pressing remaining needs.
Baltimore Beatdown staff’s predictions for Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft:
After solidifying their pass defense with talented cornerback Nate Wiggins in the first round, expect the Ravens to turn their attention to the offensive side of the ball in the second and third rounds. High ceiling offensive tackles such as Blake Fisher, Kiran Amegadjie and Patrick Paul could be available at pick #62. At pick #93, wideouts Javon Baker and Tez Walker would be values that fill Baltimore’s need for an “X” receiver.
Trading up on Day 2 to ensure the depth chart is properly bolstered at these key positions is a real possibility for aggressive general manager Eric DeCosta.
– Vasilis Lericos
After drafting a cornerback and their highest-rated player at pick No. 30, the focus now shifts to the Ravens’ biggest remaining need — offensive line.
They badly need to draft an offensive tackle still, which is the direction they’ll likely have to go with pick No. 62 in Round 2. Notre Dame’s Blake Fisher or BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia, if he falls that far, seem like logical options. Cooper Beebe, a guard from Kansas State, also seems like a Raven-type fit. With their third round selection, landing a wide receiver or edge rusher seems probable but how the board shakes out will ultimately determine their move. A slight trade back or trade up is not out of the picture either.
– Frank Platko
I don’t believe the Ravens can risk being as patient when it comes to addressing the offensive tackle position as they were at cornerback on Day 1 because there is a strong chance that all the top remaining prospects at the position could come off the board in the first 15-20 picks.
As I suggested in my seven-round mock draft, I believe the Ravens will be a little more aggressive in attacking their most glaring position of need heading into the draft by trading up to take BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia and if he’s not available then I foresee them pivoting to one of either Houston’s Patrick Paul or Washington’s Roger Rosengarten.
As far as their third-round pick at No. 93 overall, I think they take the best wide receiver or edge defender available. If they go with a wideout, I’m hoping they can land one of either UCF’s Javon Baker, USC’s Brenden Rice or one of the two remaining Washington Huskies in Ja’Lynn Polk or Jalen McMillan. In a dream scenario, if the Ravens strike out on tackle in the second, I’d love for either Florida State’s Keon Coleman or Texas’ Adonai Mitchell to fall to them at No. 62 but it’s more likely both those big-bodied receivers will fly off the board in the first 15 picks on Day 2.
– Joshua Reed
After going with what seemed to be a BPA pick at 30 yesterday, it’s time for them to nestle in. Eric DeCosta said yesterday after the Wiggins pick, “it became apparent that if we didn’t get a corner in the first half, it was going to get challenging to get one later.”
DeCosta has a great understanding of the board and his roster. He knows they need a tackle. We are on the fringe of plug and play tackles after round one. With guys like Patrick Paul and Kingsley Suamataia left, they could trade up. But I think they stick and pick Blake Fisher at 62. Fisher could potentially slide in at right tackle this season and eventually move over to left tackle in 2025.
From there it’s a BPA world again. As always, wide receiver is on the mind. But I think a guy like Javon Solomon, an edge player who could have some instant impact pass rush as a rookie and develop into a three-down player, will fall right in the Ravens lap at 93.
– Zach Canter
The Ravens made the right move taking Wiggins in round one. The team hasn’t had overwhelming success drafting that position in later rounds and ensured they will have depth in 2024 and a potential Pro-Bowl level corner for years to come.
On day two, I expect the team to draft multiple offensive linemen and/or receivers. BYU swing tackle Kingsley Suamataia has been a player linked to Baltimore due to his versatility along the offensive line, something the Ravens value. Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe would be another potential fit as the Ravens aim to get faster and more versatile along the O-line. At receiver, Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley could be an option with his ability to create yards after the catch. Corley is a tackle breaking machine who would add yet another potential problem for defenses to worry about alongside Zay Flowers, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
Obviously, this all depends on how the board falls but Baltimore has had success drafting offensive linemen later in the draft. If a receiver catches their eye in round two, they might be more inclined to hold off on addressing the OL.
– Stephen Bopst