This will be a very interesting 2023 NFL draft from the Baltimore Ravens' perspective. It will not be typical Ravens due to the Lamar Jackson situation looming, but more than that the team has holes that they usually do not and a lack of draft picks that is extremely rare for this franchise
So, they will have to choose wisely about what positions they want to add, and what they can wait until later for. Some players will be feeling good, as they see the Ravens cannot fill all of their holes. Other players will see their direct competition drafted high.
Who are five players who may win or lose a job status due to the 2023 NFL Draft?
5. Will Baltimore Ravens draft to replace Nelson Agholor?
Nelson Agholor will be watching the NFL draft closely, particularly the first round. When Agholor signed with the Baltimore Ravens he was the best of what they had. Then, they signed Odell Beckham. So, for now, the three wide group is Agholor, Rashod Bateman, and Beckham.
If the Baltimore Ravens draft a wide receiver in the first round, who is the one getting the boot to number four? We all know that answer. Even if they draft a receiver in round three it may not happen week one, but all indications will be the Baltimore Ravens pushing for the rookie to get worked in over Agholor.
To be fair, it will be a rookie, and the injury history of Beckham and Bateman suggests he will see the field. Still, he thought he was going to be a number two, and he may end up the number four. If the Ravens go into day three without a wide receiver, it shows a lot of faith in Agholor. We will find out how they feel based on if the pick is Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
4. Is Ben Cleveland going to lose his job in the 2023 NFL draft?
The Baltimore Ravens had a bad feeling that they were going to lose Ben Powers. They are tight to the salary cap and had to pick and choose their battles. The Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos got into a bidding war for Powers, and you can imagine the Ravens tapped out early.
So, you can say that the Ravens let Powers walk because they had faith in Ben Cleveland. At the same time, we really have no idea how the Ravens feel about Ben Cleveland. As we stand right now, it is hard to see anyone competing with him to replace Powers at left guard. The NFL draft is the only thing that could change that idea.
This one will be very interesting because a starting left guard could be found anywhere. At the same time, the team could at least be adding some competition. If the Baltimore Ravens wait until the UDFA sessions, or they hardly even address the position at all, you have to think that Ben Cleveland is the man. If they take a lineman in round three, he is the first man out, and even if an earlier day three guy is in the mix, we can speculate there is a competition.
3. Brandon Stephens and 2. Pepe Williams
As we stand right now you can argue that both Brandon Stephens and Pepe Williams are going to be starters. Stephens moved from safety to outside cornerback. While Trayvon Mullen and year two Jayln Armour-Davis are in the mix, the lead is probably given to Stephens.
Then, Pepe Wiliams will man the slot with Kyle Hamilton back to the strong safety role. Still, both positions can be upgraded. This is why you see so many mock drafts with cornerbacks. It will be interesting to see how involved in the slot any addition the Ravens make will be.
You would assume that they add a couple of cornerbacks, and at least one is a slot cornerback. However, there are a few guys in this draft that can play both, and the Ravens may lean to those players because they appreciate the versatility. Either way, this will be something that could and will be addressed throughout the 2023 NFL draft.
1. David Ojabo could be a big winner for the Baltimore Ravens
We have no idea how the Baltimore Ravens feel about David Ojabo. However, if you look at the edge rusher room you see Tyus Bowser, who is a SAM, and then David Ojabo joins Odafe Oweh. Ojabo got into the mix last season, but do they see him getting a full workload, and do they see him being that guy rushing across from Oweh on big third downs?
In most cases, the answer will be yes. However, Myles Murphy and Nolan Smith have gained steam as options for the Ravens. If those guys are drafted, Ojabo immediately becomes a lower-end rotation guy who gives a big rush here and there.
Even if the Ravens do not draft someone in round one, there are names such as Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston looming as free agents.
However, bringing those names back is asking for Ojabo to beat them and take the role. If they draft someone high, they know what they have in Ojabo, and that is not a full-time starter. Coming off of the injury, we have no clue how they view him, but we will know a lot more by Friday morning, depending how the board breaks.