There's no way around it, the Baltimore Ravens need to upgrade their interior offensive line in the NFL Draft. Last year, this was one of their key shortcomings, and losing Tyler Linderbaum makes this flaw even more glaring. Thankfully, general manager Eric DeCosta sounds ready to address this pressing need.Â
During his pre-draft press conference, DeCosta praised this year's offensive line class and expressed how deep it is.
"I think it's a deep board, and you've got guys kind of throughout, first-round, second-round, all the way through. Players that we think would be good value in the sixth and seventh rounds that could hopefully fall to us. So that's a nice position for us to be in," DeCosta said.Â
DeCosta's comments make it clear that the Ravens will upgrade their offensive line at some point in the draft. Despite this being an undeniable need for the Ravens, it wasn't a certainty that DeCosta would go this route, given that he has been known to draft for talent. His comments about the depth of this year's offensive line class indicate that the Ravens could wait and later load up on the offensive line.
In any event, Ravens fans can expect this position group to be addressed, and that's great news.Â
Offensive line seems to be a clear focus for the Baltimore Ravens in the draft
Spencer Fano and Olaivavega Ioane are two common first-round targets for the Ravens. Still, Fano played tackle in college, and the Ravens would be banking on shifting over to the interior line due to his short arms. Ioane is a natural guard who could shift to center if needed.
As such, taking a wide receiver and waiting to upgrade the line could be the best move for the Ravens. DeCosta's comments about the depth of this O-line class signal that this might be a likely outcome. Still, using the 14th overall pick can't be ruled out either.
Florida's Jake Slaughter and Auburn's Connor Lew are two of the top center prospects that could be available in the second or third round. To me, this feels more prudent than banking on your first-round pick to change positions.
In terms of Day 3 sleepers, Memphis' Travis Burke and Georgia's Micah Norris are two players whom Baltimore has either brought in for top 30 visits or talked to at the combine. These players could bolster the Ravens' offensive line depth.Â
If the Ravens land a top-end receiver at pick 14 and beef up their line with one of these centers and other later-round picks, that would be a fantastic outcome for them. And based on DeCosta's comments, this could be a probable direction. Overall, the depth of this year's O-line class should work to the Ravens' benefit, and DeCosta feels eager to address this major need.Â
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