Fresh off a 14-2 campaign in 2019, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is now set to conduct his second draft as Baltimore’s top front office decision-maker. Holding the 28th pick in the first round, the Ravens could go in any number of directions to supplement an already talented roster.
Let’s take a look at the highlights of a draft-centric conference call DeCosta held with reporters earlier this morning:
- The 2020 draft is thought to contain one of the best wide receiver classes in recent memory, so much so that DeCosta believes Baltimore could find an immediate contributor as late as the fifth round, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic (Twitter links). Unsurprisingly, DeCosta expects Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb to be off the board by the time the Ravens pick in Round 1, and Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs will probably also be gone. But Baltimore could have a choice between options like Justin Jefferson (LSU), Tee Higgins (Clemson), Denzel Mims (Baylor), or Laviska Shenault (Colorado) at the end of the first round. DeCosta and the Ravens selected two wideouts — Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin — in the top three rounds of the 2019 draft.
- Don’t expect the Ravens to attempt a move back up the board. “In general, trading up is dangerous,” DeCosta said, per Zrebiec (Twitter links). “It’s a little bit risky. I’d like to have 10, 12, 14 picks in every draft all things being equal.” Baltimore currently owns nine selections. If DeCosta wants to move that total into the double digits, he’d need to be trading back instead of up. Indeed, DeCosta said he would only consider a trade up for an “elite player.”
- The Ravens depleted their tight end depth a bit by trading 2018 first-rounder Hayden Hurst to the Falcons, and DeCosta said it would be “foolish” for Baltimore not to consider adding another tight end at some point in the draft, tweets Zrebiec. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman runs a tight end-friendly scheme, but the Ravens currently only have three options on their roster: Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle, and Charles Scarff.
- Baltimore may also consider adding talent in front of quarterback Lamar Jackson. “Offensive line is something we definitely want to address in this draft,” said DeCosta, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com (Twitter link). “We see some talent in all the rounds. It would be great if a guy in the first round that we thought was a really good player fell to us.” Given the presence of Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown, the Ravens don’t necessarily need immediate help at tackle, but DeCosta feels all the projected first-round tackles have the capacity to move inside to guard (where Baltimore does need help), as Zrebiec tweets.
Surprised to hear him say that Murray/Queen will be gone in the top 40 picks. Not disagreeing, but why not say top 30 or 25? Maybe he’s not as high on them as most projections?
They’ll be gone in the top 20 most likely. I’d rather not draft either one of them anyway. If they don’t trade back, I’d be happy with Ruiz or Mims.
When are the Ravens going to learn that you have to aggressively move up for difference makers? Waiting for the best player available is not going to get the difference maker we need at pass rusher or wide receiver….
DeCosta needs to be aggressive. We plenty of high mid round picks to leverage to move up…
Toss out a couple of potential deals for players you want then.
You could use the draft trade chart with the Ravens picks 28, 55, 60, 92, 106, 129, 134, 170, 225. To move up around picks 12-18.. Judon might fetch a second rounder if you want to toss him into your deals.
I’m not to keen on giving up future 1sts unless it’s a Chase Young!