This will be a huge draft for the Baltimore Ravens. They have so many decisions to make and they could take any turn along the way to shape their franchise. If the 2023 NFL draft broke right for the Baltimore Ravens, what would one of the bigger wins be?
4. Baltimore Ravens land Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Even after adding Odell Beckham, you can argue the Baltimore Ravens still need a wide receiver. If anything the need has just lessened and they may be able to wait outside of round one instead of forcing it. Still, if the right name is available they certainly could still be open to wide receivers.
For the Baltimore Ravens, the best fit would be Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Not to take away from the other names, but most do see JSN as the top wide receiver in the class. He is not the most explosive, but he is a great route runner, has plenty of size, and is extremely productive.
The other key feature is that he is great in the slot. Rashod Bateman does not play the slot. Beckham can move in and out of the slot, but it has become clear that if the Ravens need another wideout, it would be best to add a slot option.
Beyond that, while JSN is not a burner, his underneath reliability does fit with Bateman and Beckham, who have been known to get down the field. Of all the wideouts in the 2023 NFL draft, Smith-Njigba is most likely to be off of the board. Still, in a dream world, he could be here and would be a great fit for the Baltimore Ravens.
3. Baltimore Ravens see cornerbacks drop
If the Baltimore Ravens do not go with a wide receiver in the first round they will have to go with a cornerback. It is clearly one of their biggest needs beyond wideout, and the class happens to be deep with them. So, who could be the best possible option to fall?
It would be too much to say this about Devon Witherspoon or Christian Gonzalez. Those guys are going in the top ten, and if not, they are going to get drafted in the top 15. However, it will matter how high they go, because their landing spot will impact who the Ravens could draft.
There is a debate for the cornerback three spot in this draft. If the top two guys do slip, and one lasts until 15 or so, is there a chance that the third guy is sitting there for the Baltimore Ravens? At this point that is probably the best-case scenario.
By most accounts that would mean Joey Porter Jr. or Deonte Banks. For Porter, you have the physical nature of AFC North football and is a player who would fit the culture like a glove. Also, it would be fun to force Joey Porter Sr. to wear purple and black. On the flip side, Deonte Banks is the Maryland boy, and nobody would complain if he stayed in the area.
Most see three or four cornerbacks going in the top 20 picks. If one or two of those guys fall, it is not a bad night in Baltimore.
2. Baltimore Ravens find a strong trade back option
Most fans will be pushing for a cornerback or wide receiver in the first round. However, we all probably know what the Baltimore Ravens want. They want to trade back. The reality is that this may be their best move.
The Ravens have as few of picks as we have seen them in the recent run of franchise history. A team that is conscious about winning through the draft currently does not have the capital to do so. This is why trading back seems so likely.
Beyond that, the team has serious needs across the board. Sure, wide receiver and cornerback stand out, but defensive line and guard as issues as well. They could use some depth at linebacker, and both starting tackles have questions about their age and health status.
So, the Baltimore Ravens are in a spot where they have more needs than usual, and they have fewer picks than usual. A dream scenario is trading back, getting more picks, and filling more needs. In a perfect world, someone like Will Levis falls, but even Hendon Hooker may start to get attention by the Ravens' 22nd pick. Who else could be on the board at 22 that would give the Baltimore Ravens their best chance of trading down?
1. Lamar Jackson and Baltimore Ravens resolve issue before the 2023 NFL draft
Yes, this is the most unrealistic outcome out of all of the 2023 NFL draft scenarios. However, we are dreaming, right? If the Baltimore Ravens' dream did come true, it would result in the team getting together with Jackson right after the draft and resolving things.
We wish it would be before the draft, and that would be even better, but let's just say that the draft comes and goes and nobody is giving him an offer. Once the musical chairs fill up after the draft, does Jackson look around and realize that he should take a longer-term deal?
If the Ravens could find this out on draft weekend, it would be everything. The team would not have to look for a replacement in the draft and instead would go all-in on Jackson. Right now, they have to toe the line. They have to look for his replacement. They also have to think halfway about the present and half about the future. If they add Jackson, they are all about the present.
The reality is that any resolution at any time would be great. The faster things get cleared up, the better. While the rest of the situations are possible dreams, this feels like the perfect night of sleep with an amazing ending.