3 bold predictions for the Baltimore Ravens in 2024 NFL Draft
By Mike Luciano
2. No wide receiver is taken in the first two rounds
The Bateman extension had to be bad news for anyone opting to target someone like Texas' Adonai Mitchell, Georgia's Ladd McConkey, or Florida State's Keon Coleman. The Ravens might not use a top pick on a No. 3 wide receiver, and there's a good chance they continue to let their receiver need fester until the third round.
While the No. 62 pick could be the prime chance to pick a player like Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley or Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk, but the Ravens could use that pick to address a thin defensive line and a questionable secondary. This would reaffirm their confidence in Bateman and show Baltimore believes a third-round pick could be a solid contributor as a rookie.
The Baltimore Ravens could wait to draft a wide receiver.
Looking at the third round of the draft, playmakers like Florida State's Johnny Wilson and USC's Brenden Rice could end up quenching Baltimore's desire for a vertical playmaker. Bateman and Zay Flowers will be locked in as the two top dogs if the Ravens follow this strategy.
The Ravens are by no means set at the wide receiver position, but DeCosta might be better off using his top picks on a player who could produce more impact during their rookie season than a receiver limited to the No. 4 or No. 5 pass-catching role in this offense.