The Baltimore Ravens lost so many players in the offseason that they went from a team with the freedom and depth needed to select the best player available in the 2024 NFL Draft to a squad with so many gaping holes that Eric DeCosta needs to target them early and often.
The Ravens are already consulting with star quarterback Lamar Jackson before the draft, asking him his opinion on some of the best offensive players in this class. Baltimore is once again putting out feelers that indicate they will spend most of their attention trying to get stars alongside Jackson.
According to Jordan Reid of ESPN, Ravens sources believe that trading back from No. 30 to gain more capital is "in play." If they don't end up moving around the order and staying at No. 30 overall, Baltimore has two positions in mind to make Jackson's life just a bit easier.
Reid stated that his sources think offensive linemen and wide receivers will be under DeCosta's microscope with their first pick in the Draft. Jackson has multiple MVPs he can put up in his mantlepiece at home, but the only way to get him a Super Bowl is figuring out a better plan of attack around him.
These sources match up with what DeCosta has publically espoused in the past, saying that he has been very impressed with the depth at the offensive line and receiver spots. Perhaps DeCosta will double-dip at the position to ensure Baltimore is much better in these areas of weakness.
"I think offensive line is pretty stacked across the board. I think receiver is really deep this year."
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 9, 2024
EDC on days two and three: pic.twitter.com/qpRelZSZra
Baltimore Ravens could target WR, OL in NFL Draft
If the Ravens had to play tomorrow, Andrew Voorhees and Daniel Faalele would be starting at left guard and right tackle, respectively. The paid have a whopping one star between them. Baltimore could look for a player like Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton or Georgia's Amarius Mims to sate their desires.
The Ravens have just one above-average wide receiver in Zay Flowers in a league that is placing a bigger emphasis on perimeter playmaking than ever before. Both Texas star wideouts in Adonai Mitchell and 40-yard-dash king Xavier Worthy would make sense, as world Oregon's Troy Franklin and Florida State's Keon Coleman.
Jackson's legs and all-time arm will win plenty of games for the Ravens, but he can't do it alone. What better way to maximize your all-in championship window than by beefing up a lackluster offensive line and landing a long-term running make for Flowers in the receiver room?