Following the early stages of free agency, the Baltimore Ravens have several needs beginning to reveal themselves on the roster. With the re-signing of left tackle Ronnie Stanley, there is no longer a need for an offensive tackle, but the departures of Brandon Stephens, Patrick Mekari, and Malik Harrison, along with the retirement of Michael Pierce, have made other needs more dire. Many of these will need to be addressed in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Darien Porter mocked to the Ravens at 27
Throughout mock draft season, cornerback has consistently been one of the most crucial needs for Baltimore. With Stephens out the door, defensive coordinator Zach Orr has a massive hole to fill at the boundary corner spot. In The 33rd Team’s recent first-round mock, Kyle Crabbs has the Ravens filling this need by selecting Iowa State’s top corner, Darien Porter.
Crabbs highlighted Porter’s athleticism and fluidity in coverage as two of the most enticing reasons to select the 24-year-old. With Marlon Humphrey likely continuing to start in the slot and Nate Wiggins holding down one boundary, the other outside corner spot is anyone’s to win. Porter, whose NFL Combine performance showcased his elite athleticism, could help build the perfect trio.
Risks and rewards
While Porter is a prospect with sky-high potential, there’s plenty of reason to worry about his NFL future. One of the biggest red flags surrounding the former Cyclone is his age and experience. At 24, Porter will already be 25 in early January, and he hasn't played many snaps for a player his age. He arrived on campus in 2020, but it wasn’t until this past season that he finally earned starting reps at corner. While he starred on defense, the lack of experience could be alarming as he’s still learning the position.
Although there are risks, the potential reward is tempting. Porter possesses traits that very few corners in this draft can match. At 6-foot-3, his track speed and excellent short-area quickness make him a highly desirable prospect at the next level. He has also shown a great feel for zone coverage and exceptional ball skills in limited reps. Where Porter truly shines, however, is on special teams. He was outstanding on Iowa State’s punt team, showing a knack for blocking punts, which would quickly make him a favorite of John Harbaugh.
While Porter’s potential is through the roof, selecting him at 27 could be a reach. With players like East Carolina’s Shavon Revel Jr. and Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas still on the board in Crabbs’ mock, the risk of taking Porter in the first round might be too high.