Following a wild free agency period, the Baltimore Ravens’ needs ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft are clear. Most people are leaning toward an interior offensive line or a wide receiver selection at pick 14, given the lack of attention the offense got in free agency. Simply put, Lamar Jackson needs more help.
However, there are also areas on defense that are questionable. While Baltimore signed Trey Hendrickson, they could use one more reliable addition on the edge. The corner room also lacks depth and budding youth. Re-signing Chidobe Awuzie was a sneaky-good decision. Although he’s also 30 years old.
Baltimore Ravens writer Ryan Mink highlighted his thoughts ahead of the draft in the website’s latest edition of 50 Words or Less. Among them was the possibility of selecting Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy. Mink wrote:
“Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. McCoy missed all last season with a knee injury, but his 2024 tape was elite, and he shined at his recent Pro Day. Arguably the best cornerback in the draft might be available at pick No. 14.”
That’d be a classic best player available move by general manager Eric DeCosta.
Baltimore Ravens could prioritize value over immediate need at No. 14
Corner is a need, but it is buried under the urgency of other needs. It is more so a need for the future, rather than an immediate one. Still, in terms of value, if McCoy makes it to Baltimore’s pick, he could be the best player available on the board. You can’t take that value for granted in this year’s draft. There's not a whole lot of high-end talent.
McCoy definitely holds some risk after missing all of the 2025 campaign due to an ACL tear. The potential is through the roof, though. From size and athleticism to footwork and ball skills, McCoy has nearly everything you could want in a prospect. He could truly be a homerun pick.
There would also be a method behind the madness of potentially drafting McCoy over, say, Penn State guard Vega Ioane or Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
Along with Awuzie, who is 30, the only other starting-caliber corners who have revealed themselves on the roster are Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey. Wiggins has the potential to grow into an absolute stud, but Humphrey regressed in 2025. Ideally, with better coaching, Humphrey gets back on track, but that’s a big if. There could really be a bigger need for a corner than fans realize.
With new head coach Jesse Minter in the building now, he could look to prioritize corner or pass rush early. He's a defensive-minded coach after all. The offensive side of the ball feels like the obvious choice come April 23, but if a high-quality defensive player like McCoy falls, he’d be hard to pass on.