GM Eric DeCosta told at least one truth at the annual “Liars’ Luncheon:” that the Ravens need to fill several holes on defense through the draft.
Baltimore has to overhaul its defensive line, add playmakers at inside and outside linebacker, in the secondary, and find a pass rusher. The Ravens also need more depth in the secondary behind Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey.
In short, this is a critical draft for “plug-and-play” performers.
“Every pick you bring in, you expect this guy to play,” DeCosta said. “You’re not going to draft a guy if you don’t think this guy is going to help your team – that’s just a bad mentality.”
Out to (Liars') Lunch(eon): It's pre-draft presser time, Lamar wants the Sauce, and players gotta stop changing numbers for the sake of our wallets, man! #RavensFlock c/o @Royal_Farms https://t.co/dL2cc9rZeT
— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) April 5, 2022
The Ravens have invested heavily on the offensive side of the ball over the past several years and have taken six wide receivers in the past three drafts, including a pair of first-round picks.
The work has paid off because Baltimore now has a solid group of young wide receivers ready to take the next step in their development, namely Rashod Bateman, James Proche and Devin Duvernay, who made the Pro Bowl as a returner on special teams last season.
Owner Steve Bisciotti appears to be fully on board with a plan to boost the defense in this year’s draft.
“It could be an all-defensive draft for all I know, and I’d be more than happy with that,” he said at the recent owner’s meetings.
The opportunity is there for the Ravens to build a solid foundation for the future with 10 picks in the 2022 draft, including the 14th overall selection — the team’s highest pick since 2016 when they selected Ronnie Stanley sixth overall.
DeCosta expected all of his draft picks to be able to make an immediate impact as rookies. That’s part of the deal for being drafted.
This year that concept might be more critical because the Ravens have holes that can’t be solved with the current roster or in free agency.
“My mindset is every guy that we draft in the fourth round this year better be playing for us – that’s why we’re taking him,” DeCosta said
The Ravens need to strengthen their secondary after parting ways with cornerbacks Tavon Young and Chris Westry to add more flexibility to the cap. Young is still a free agent but Westry signed with the Panthers on a one-year deal.
Another cornerback, Anthony Averett, signed with the Raiders as a free agent.
For now, the Ravens have Humphrey, Peters, Iman Marshall, Kevon Seymour, Kevin Toliver, and Robert Jackson as the only cornerbacks on the depth chart.
Baltimore finished 32nd against the pass last season, so DeCosa needs to make sure he has depth. “There are opportunities for us, again, in the first round, second round [and] third round,” DeCosta said. “Coach [Harbaugh] has been watching the corners as well, and we feel like we have the opportunity to take one or two corners in the Draft that could come in and contribute right away. We’re excited about that.”
Cincinnati’s Sauce Gardner and Washington’s Trent McDuffie have been two players linked to the Ravens with the 14th overall pick, but those players could be taken earlier in the first round. Nonetheless, DeCosta is confident that he can find a playmaker.
“It looks like you can get a corner pretty much at any point throughout the draft process,” DeCosta said.
Joe Hortiz, the Ravens director of college scouting, is confident this is a deep draft for pass rushers and Purdue’s George Karlaftis or Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson II could have their name called by Baltimore.
Baltimore finished in the bottom third of the league with 34 sacks last year.
“Personally, I think it’s a deep class of edge guys,” Hortiz said. “There’s an opportunity to get one in really the [first] four rounds [or] five rounds.”
The Ravens could also look to boost their interior pass rush with a defensive tackle with Georgia’s Jordan Davis being an attractive candidate. Hortiz said the interior pass rush presents more of a challenge as far as finding players.
“It takes a more special athlete to be an interior pass rusher and a three-down player inside,” Hortiz said. “I think that’s why with our defense, it being so versatile, we can take an edge guy who’s got some size [and] reduce him in.”
