OWINGS MILLS — Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta, coach John Harbaugh, and other members of the scouting department will head to Indianapolis this week for the 2024 NFL Combine.
This is a huge event for the Ravens, who rely heavily on the NFL draft to rebuild their roster. Over the years, Baltimore has been widely considered one of the most effective franchises with the NFL draft.
Here’s a look at what the Ravens will focus on this week:
1. Offensive linemen
The Ravens need support on the offensive line with both starting guards — Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson — eligible for free agency. The Ravens could also use a tackle to add depth behind Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses. If Stanley is traded or released after June 1st, the Ravens would have an extra $15 million in cap space. Several draft experts predict the Ravens will select an offensive lineman with the 30th overall pick.
Players to watch: Amarius Mims (Georgia), Troy Fautanu (Washington), Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State), and JC Latham (Alabama).
2. Linebackers
The Ravens received solid production from outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy, but both players are free agents. Fellow outside linebacker Tyus Bowser missed the entire year with a knee injury and could be a salary-cap casualty. As a result, the Ravens could look to boost this unit through the draft.
Players to watch: Dallas Turner (Alabama), Tommy Eichenberg (Ohio State), Cedric Gray (North Carolina) and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (Clemson).
3. Running backs
The Ravens also have just two running backs on the roster — Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell, who won’t be available for the beginning of the 2024 season because of a knee injury. Gus Edwards led the team’s running backs with 810 yards, but he will test the free-agent market. J.K. Dobbins, a former second-round pick who has been plagued with injuries, is also eligible for free agency and a change of scenery might serve him well. As a result, the Ravens will almost certainly be looking for a running back in the draft.
Players to watch: Braelon Allen (Wisconsin), Trey Benson (Florida State), Jaylen Wright (Tennessee), Jonathon Brooks (Texas), and MarShawn Lloyd (USC).
4. Secondary
The Ravens are always looking to add depth and talent in the secondary. The team has seven defensive backs who are unrestricted free agents – Arthur Maulet, Kevon Seymour, Trayvon Mullen, Geno Stone, Daryl Worley, Rock Ya-Sin, and Ronald Darby. DeCosta could look to bring one or two of those players back, but he will also draft a player or two that make a first-year impact.
Players to watch: Cooper DeJean (Iowa), Nate Wiggins (Clemson), Kalen King (Penn State) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama).
5. Wide receivers
The Ravens are committed to providing quarterback Lamar Jackson with talented wide receivers. They have taken a wideout three times in the last five drafts. This year, the Ravens could pounce again if a blue-chip player falls to them in the first or second round. The Ravens re-signed wide receiver Nelson Agholor to a one-year extension. Agholor is third on the depth chart behind two former first-round picks, Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Two other wide receivers, Odell Beckham Jr. and Devin Duvernay, are eligible for free agency this offseason.
Players to watch: Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State), Ladd McConkey (Georgia), Malachi Corley (Western Kentucky), Rome Odunze (Washington) and Malik Nabers (LSU).
