OWINGS MILLS – There’s confidence in the Ravens’ organization about putting together another contending team in 2024.
The Ravens have needs on the offensive line, at cornerback and with edge rushers.
The team also could use depth at safety, wide receiver and on the defensive line.
General manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh are confident they can fill those holes in the draft, which starts on April 25th. The team has nine selections, including the 30th overall pick. DeCosta also expects to add playmakers in free agency.
“We’re going to have a heck of a team next year – you wait, and you watch. You wait and see what we do,” Harbaugh said on Tuesday.
The Ravens had the best record in the NFL last season, finishing 13-4 and advancing to the AFC Championship Game, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
The Ravens have work to do after losing both of their starting guards — Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson — and outside linebacker Jadaveon Clowney, who had 9 1/2 sacks last year.
DeCosta pointed out that many of the 12 players the team lost to free agency were signed last summer. He expects another talent pool to emerge as the NFL gets closer to training camp.
“We’re in the same place as we were last year at this time,” DeCosta said. “Go back and look at what some of you wrote last year and see how we ended up. We have a lot of time to make moves. A lot of these players that we lost [are] excellent players. A lot of these guys were acquired in August, right? Some of these guys were acquired in September, so we’re still building, and a big part of that is going to be through the Draft, which is why we’re all here today.
“There are a lot of different opportunities along the way to add players.
The Ravens did add running back Derrick Henry, a four-time Pro Bowler and the 2020 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and have two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson at quarterback. The Ravens also re-signed Pro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who had a breakout season in 2023 with 13 sacks.
“The destination is September, not May,” DeCosta said.