NFL Draft Grades 2023: Re-grading Ravens' draft one year later

As the Baltimore Ravens get prepared for the 2024 NFL Draft, Eric DeCosta will likely spend some time looking at his past draft classes and analyzing what went right and what went wrong. Even after just one season, Baltimore's 2023 draft class is starting to take shape.

The Ravens addressed the wide receiver spot by taking Boston College's Zay Flowers and pulled off one of the biggest heists in the 2023 class by snagging a player some projected as a first-rounder in Clemson's Trenton Simpson at No. 86 overall. The rest of the draft consisted mostly of depth additions led by Tavius Robinson.

The Ravens could once again give this roster the injection of youth and quality it needs in key areas with a few tactful moves in 2024. DeCosta needs to look at what he did last year, replicate the process that led him to draft Flowers, and stay away from some of his miscues.

NFL Draft Grades 2023: Re-grading Baltimore Ravens moves

Round 1, Pick 22: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

Flowers ended his rookie season (in an offense that didn't throw the ball as much as some other high-powered attacks) with 77 catches, 858 yards, and five touchdowns. After just one year in the pros, he is Baltimore's unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver.

While his size makes him a somewhat limited player, Baltimore just gave Jackson his best wide receiver since Marquise Brown back in his formative years. Even with two receivers picked ahead of him and some studs after him, the Ravens aren't regretting this pick for one second.

Grade: A-

Round 3, Pick 86: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

This grade will vary wildly based on how Simpson, who is slated to become a starting linebacker this season after Patrick Queen joined the Steelers. If he clicks, the Ravens can chalk up yet another third-round victory on the defensive side of the ball.

Grade: B-

Round 4, Pick 124: Tavius Robinson, EDGE, Ole Miss

Robinson played around 25% of snaps as a rookie and over half the special teams snaps, amassing 26 tackles and one sack as a result. The Ravens will move forward with him as a key member of the pass rush rotation gong forward, which is a solid season for such a young player.

Grade: B

Round 5, Pick 157: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford

Kelly was cut before the season started. As far as fifth-round picks go, this one was a dud.

Grade: F

Round 6, Pick 199: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT, Oregon

Aumavae-Laulu didn't play during his rookie year, but Baltimore appears to have seen enough from him to warrant bringing the former Oregon Duck back to a weakened offensive line for 2024 and beyond.

Grade: Incomplete

Round 7, Pick 229: Andrew Vorhees, OG, USC

Vorhees will likely be a starter at left guard next year. While he is 25 and has zero pro snaps, he was a top-100 lock before his injury. Getting him this late is a nice bit of business.

Grade: B-