Ravens' smoke meter zeroes in on 3 draft targets Eric DeCosta can't quit

As much as the Baltimore Ravens try to stay out of the spotlight come NFL Draft season, smoke will inevitably rise surrounding their potential selections. With them sitting at No. 14 rather than somewhere late in the first round, that smoke only thickens.

General manager Eric DeCosta has done his best not to show his cards. In a press conference last week, he was clear about some needs, but also highlighted that he’d like to be strong everywhere, which makes Baltimore’s draft plans somewhat unpredictable. Still, it’s hard to ignore the prospect pairings that have been thrown around leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft.

Here are three draft targets who might be on DeCosta’s radar, and where they sit on the smoke meter heading into draft week.

Baltimore Ravens' smoke meter surrounding three of their potential draft targets

Jordyn Tyson, Wide Receiver, Arizona State

Jordyn Tyson was once seen as one of the most logical fits at No. 14 for Baltimore. Following free agency, there’s a clear need for a weapon opposite Zay Flowers, and one of Tyson’s size feels like the perfect fit.

Tyson’s draft stock has been sporadic in the last month. Hamstring concerns initially saw his stock plummet, but after showing out at a workout on April 17, he’s slowly built that stock back up to a prospect hovering around the top-15.

Unfortunately, now it’s looking like the Ravens won’t even have a shot at drafting Tyson. After trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals, the New York Giants hold the 5th and 10th overall picks. With that No. 10 selection, rumors are swirling that they’re eyeing Tyson.

There’s still reason to believe that Baltimore could land Tyson; it’s been a pretty commonly mocked spot for the Arizona State product. However, if the Giants' rumors are true, the heat on that draft pairing could be dying.

Smoke Meter: Ember Glowing After Dark

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The other way that the Ravens could net a high-caliber pass catcher is via the tight end spot, and Kenyon Sadiq is a tight end who plays like a wide receiver. He’d instantly become one of Lamar Jackson’s favorite targets.

The Sadiq-Baltimore match has gained steam in recent weeks. After a free agency cycle that saw the Ravens lose both of their backup tight ends, they find themselves in desperate need of a backup to Mark Andrews. And Andrews’ recent regression could be another reason to draft Sadiq.

The Ravens have been known for being a top offense for tight ends, and new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle knows how to utilize that spot to perfection. He schemed up a strong duo of Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet with the Chicago Bears in 2025. It makes Sadiq a desirable option for the team at No. 14.

While tight end isn’t a top need, Sadiq is a bit different given his athleticism. For now, there’s no fire here, but there’s definitely some heat building up.

Smoke Meter: Burner on High

Vega Ioane, Guard, Penn State

Vega Ioane is definitely the top target in the eyes of the fanbase. Fans are sick of seeing Lamar Jackson play behind subpar guard duos, and rightfully so. It’s time to invest at that spot, not just by signing John Simpson, but by also selecting a legit starting guard in the first round in the form of Ioane.

It feels like pretty much every mock draft in the past few months has included Ioane. Analysts have labeled him as the chalk pick, as if he falls to 14, many believe that Baltimore will run the card with Ioane’s name up to the podium.

DeCosta is also in love with Ioane. He described what makes Ioane such a great player at his pre-draft press conference.

"Vega, I've seen him play a bunch, physical, tough,” DeCosta said. “He's probably a guard, but [he] sort of prototypes, straight from central casting, of what you want your guards to look like.”

Sure, this could be a smokescreen, but it’s hard to believe it would be. He’s the top guard on everyone’s boards and the 15th-ranked prospect on FanSided’s top-50 big board.

It’s been obvious that the trenches have been a priority this offseason, and selecting Ioane could be the best addition of all. His smoke meter is undoubtedly on fire.

Smoke Meter: Grease Fire

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow