Ravens trade back, get exactly what they need in this 2024 NFL Mock Draft

Depth at cornerback has been an issue for years in Baltimore, it seems, and the Ravens have to add talent, here. Marlon Humphrey is a top corner in this league, but beyond Humphrey, the Ravens have been searching for another long-term starter. Brandon Stephens played pretty well last year, but Baltimore must get deeper, here.

That's why, in the second round, they go with Wake Forest cornerback Caelen Carson. With a lot of NFL defenses deploying more zone schemes, Carson brings a unique skill that not many college defensive backs come into the league fully comfortable with, and that's the ability to play man coverage and play it very well.

Carson is one of the more NFL-ready corners in the league when it comes to playing one-on-one coverage. A lot of that is instinctual, too, which cannot be taught.

At six feet tall, Carson has solid NFL size. His speed and explosiveness, combined with fluid hips, all allow him to stay with just about any type of receiver all throughout their route. Another thing that stands out with Carson's game is his ability to play physical. He is unwilling to let receivers out-man him, if you will. He comes in as a likely Day 1 starter, or at the very least, healthy competition for Stephens.