4. The Ravens should address cornerback
The Ravens’ defensive backfield, much like other position groups, was decimated by injuries. They expect Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey to return healthy in 2022. Frankly, much of their success depends on that no matter what they do in the draft.
There is no doubt that they will need to add reinforcements, not just as depth/insurance, but also due to the fact that nickel and dime defenses are so prevalent and important in today’s NFL. The third corner is virtually a starter.
With Anthony Averett, Tavon Young, and Chris Westry moving on to other teams, cornerback is a major need heading into the draft. If one of the top four or five pass rushers are gone before pick 14, the Ravens could very well draft a corner with their first pick.
Top corners Cincinnati’s Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. are likely to be gone before the Ravens pick at 14 unless they decide to trade up. This would likely leave Washington’s Trent McDuffie or Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr. as first-round possibilities.
Outside of the first round, the Ravens could target the likes of McDuffie’s teammate Kyler Gordon or use one of their multiple third and fourth-round picks on the likes of Cincinnati’s Coby Bryant or Sam Houston State’s Zyon McCollum.