The 2025 NFL Draft is not far in the rearview mirror. Rookies are looking to make their mark as the regular season nears. Still, scouts are already preparing for next year’s draft class. The Baltimore Ravens are one team that always nails this preparation process.
With college football season nearing, now is the perfect time to get to know next year’s potential prospects. Accordingly, ESPN wasted no time assembling a first-round mock for the 2026 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s NFL draft analyst Field Yates mocked what he thinks the first round could look like in next year’s selection meeting. While he acknowledged a ton could change by the time April rolls around, many college players have already put together impressive tapes. For the Ravens, he has them choosing a defensive back for the third straight year. In 2026, it is Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris. Yates wrote:
"Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie are both free agents in March, and Marlon Humphrey is signed through 2026. Corner is likely a 2026 offseason focus in Baltimore. Harris is entering his second season with Penn State after beginning his career at Georgia, and he plays with an infectious energy, opportunistic ball skills and a willingness to enter the fray as a run defender."
A.J. Harris becomes newest Raven in latest 2026 mock draft
Harris is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after cornerbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft. He broke out in his sophomore campaign, contributing to a top 10 defense in college football that gave up just 16.5 points per game. He possesses ideal size and above-average athleticism, showcasing traits that Baltimore targets in defensive backs.
The 19-year-old is as physical as it gets. As Yates highlighted, he is a frequent supporter against the run, but that physicality and will to win also translates in press coverage. He is aggressive in all phases and utilizes that aggressiveness, paired with route recognition, to make plays on the football. He is the ideal corner for the Ravens.
Though Baltimore’s defensive backs look strong this year, the future is uncertain. As Yates noted, Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie only have one-year contracts and will hit free agency in 2026.
Marlon Humphrey is coming off an All-Pro year in 2024, and while he seems like an obvious piece to re-sign when he hits the free agent market in 2027, he will be entering his age-31 season by the time he is due a new contract.
Even if the team retains Humphrey for the foreseeable future, they could use an additional outside corner to pair with second-year pro Nate Wiggins. Humphrey excels in the slot, and bringing in another lockdown corner to play on the boundary would make the team’s secondary elite moving forward.