Ravens sign 5 rookie draft picks to deals ahead of minicamp

More than half of their 2024 draft class is under contract including their first two picks and three of their top five .

The Baltimore Ravens had all of their rookie both drafted and undrafted as well as some tryouts report the the team facility Thursday ahead of rookie minicamp that will take place from Friday to Thursday. In a surprisingly early turn of events, they were able to ink five members from their nine-man 2024 draft class to rookie contracts.

First-round cornerback Nate Wiggins who was selected No. 30 overall out of Clemson was the first to sign on the dotted line.

Following suit shortly thereafter was second-round offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten out of Washington, fourth-round cornerback T.J. Tampa out of Iowa State, seventh-round center Nick Samac out of Michigan State and seventh-round safety Sanoussi Kane out of Purdue.

Only four of the Ravens’ drafted rookies have yet to sign their deals. The shortlist includes third-round outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, fourth-round wide receiver Devontez Walker,, fifth-round running back Rasheen Ali and sixth-round quarterback Devin Leary.

While it makes sense for the Ravens to not waste any time trying to get these contracts knocked out and out of the way, it is unusual to see so many first-year players agree to terms and sign this early, especially first-rounders.

Per the league’s official transaction wire, Wiggins is the first 2024 first-round pick to sign a rookie deal which is a far cry from what the Ravens have been accustomed to in recent years when it comes to their top overall selections. With the exception of fourth-year wide receiver Rashod Bateman who signed his first contract just 13 days after getting drafted, the Ravens have had to wait until mid-to-late summer before they could get their first-rounders signed.

In 2021, outside linebacker Odafe Oweh was taken four picks after Bateman at No. 31 overall and he didn’t sign until June 11. The Ravens doubled up on first-rounders again in 2022 with All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton who went at No. 14 overall and signed on June 7, and Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum who went at No. 25 overall and signed on June 2. Last year’s first-rounder, wide receiver Zay Flowers taken No. 22 overall, was the last member of his draft class to sign and it didn’t happen until June 14, just a few weeks before training camp.

Perhaps the Ravens’ ace in the hole when it came to negations this time around was the presence of Football Administration/Salary Cap Analyst Sophie Cortese. She is an up-and-coming executive who works closely with Ravens Vice President of Football Administration Nick Matteo and negotiated her first contract during this recent bunch of rookie signings.