It’s officially draft day. People have been counting down the days to the 2026 NFL Draft since the moment the 2025 campaign ended, and it’s finally here. For the Baltimore Ravens, it’s time to flex their scouting muscles and make one last effort to revamp their team ahead of the regular season.
The NFL Draft tends to be Baltimore’s wheelhouse. Sure, there’s been plenty of hit-and-miss, but overall, most of their strong rosters over the years are thanks to their drafting expertise. Their 2022 class earned nearly $300 million in free agency this offseason. You don’t need much more proof that they’re elite drafting.
This year, they’re hoping for a 2022-esque class. They desperately need that after a horrendous 2025, and as they sit in a familiar spot at No. 14 and hold 11 picks, there’s hope they can get that done. Here’s what a perfect draft would look like.
Baltimore Ravens’ dream draft is within Eric DeCosta’s reach
Day 1: Offensive Guard
It’s becoming pretty clear that the Ravens need to go the offensive line route in the first round. While the idea of a wide receiver like Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) fascinates some fans, it’s looking unlikely that he makes it to No. 14. If he doesn’t, then that should pretty much secure an offensive line pick for Baltimore.
Vega Ioane (Penn State) is who pretty much everyone is mocking to the Ravens. After an injury-riddled year for Lamar Jackson, the team should continue to focus on improving the trenches. They signed John Simpson, and drafting Ioane would create a strong duo on the interior.
It could also be Spencer Fano (Utah) here, who DeCosta believes can play anywhere on the offensive line. While Ioane’s game is all about power, Fano brings athleticism to the table. He can be dangerous as a lead blocker in the run, always beating opposing defenders to the spot upfield. If Baltimore prefers an athlete like Fano over Ioane, he should be the pick.
The two linemen rank pretty close on FanSided's big board, Fano ranking 13th and Ioane ranking 15th.
Day 2: Wide Receiver and Center
If the Ravens can’t luck into Tyson in the first, it should be an area they look to address in the second round. The offense lacks a legitimate weapon opposite Zay Flowers, and it should be one with size and physicality. The best options to fill that need with the 45th selection will likely be Germie Bernard (Alabama) or Chris Bell (Louisville).
In the third round, it should be a center. According to consensus big boards, it seems like the center run would start around that round. Regardless, after losing Tyler Linderbaum to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, selecting a center is crucial. Even if the center run hasn’t started at pick 80, DeCosta should be the one to start it.
Connor Lew (Auburn) and Sam Hecht (Kansas State) are believed by many to be the best centers on the board.
Day 3: Tight End, Interior Defensive Line, Cornerback, Edge Rusher, and Best Player Available
Once Day 3 hits, it’s going to be a free-for-all. The Ravens currently have eight picks from Round 4 to Round 7. In my eyes, there are four positions that must be addressed: tight end, interior defensive line, cornerback, and edge rusher.
Tight end will likely be the biggest need once this point of the draft comes around. Baltimore lost both of its backup tight ends in free agency, both of whom had major roles in the offense last year. Michael Trigg (Baylor) or Justin Joly (NC State) could seamlessly fit into new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle’s unit.
As for the interior defensive line, it seems like the Ravens have been after one after one in the form of D.J. Reader, but reports have signaled he may be ready to sign with the New York Giants after the draft. That could put that need right at the top of their board on Day 3. Albert Regis (Texas A&M) could make sense in the fifth round.
If Baltimore selects a cornerback with one of their three fifth-round picks, they need a guy with size who can stick on the boundary at the NFL level. Sure, they have Marlon Humphrey, Chidobe Awuzie, and T.J. Tampa playing alongside 2024 first-round pick Nate Wiggins, but none of those three have certain futures with the organization. Julian Neal (Arkansas) would be a good pick.
Last but not least, in the biggest needs in Round 3, the edge rusher room needs to be rounded out in this year’s draft. A fifth-round pick wouldn’t have an immediate impact, but could be a player who becomes a steady rotational option behind Trey Hendrickson, Mike Green, and Tavius Robinson. It’s a complete guessing game for who will be available at this point, but Caden Curry (Ohio State) had tremendous production with the Buckeyes in 2025, and if he’s there, DeCosta could look to translate that production to the pros.
After those picks, it’ll likely be the classic DeCosta best-player-available (BPA) strategy. Other areas that may need to be filled out include running back and punter, but the value at those spots isn’t lucrative, so there could be more of a focus on BPA to finish out the draft.
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