Way-too-early Baltimore Ravens 2024 NFL Draft preview

The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon.

The Baltimore Ravens were one of the best teams in the league in 2023 but fell short once again in the playoffs. QB Lamar Jackson is locked up for the foreseeable future, but the Ravens are poised to lose several key free agents in a difficult salary-cap situation. So, Baltimore must make the most of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

2023 record: 13-4 | First-round pick: No. 30 | Team needs: EDGE, OL, CB

Potential first-round picks: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri; Graham Barton, OL, Duke; Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

It wouldn't be surprising if the Ravens trade out of the first round in April as several teams could be willing to pay a high price to land a quarterback at the end of night one. However, it would be difficult to argue against passing up on one of the class's top edge-rushers with Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy both set to hit the open market next week.

Robinson has the makings of a premier edge-rusher, posting 43 tackles, 8.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 2023. Baltimore has been searching for one for the past few years, using a second-round pick on David Ojabo in 2022 and a first-round pick on Odafe Oweh in 2021. However, they combined for just six sacks last season. Robinson could finally be the answer.

On the other hand, both of the Ravens starting guards, John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler, are also set to become free agents next week. So, unless Baltimore is somehow able to retain both players, it will need to address the offensive line at some point this offseason. Barton primarily played left tackle at Duke but has also shown versatility in the trenches and could bump inside if needed. The 6-foot-5, 314-pound offensive lineman allowed just two sacks last season.

Adding another cornerback to a secondary that suffered several injuries in 2023 could also make sense for the Ravens. Taking a chance on McKinstry may not be the ideal scenario since he didn't work out at the NFL Scouting Combine last week after doctors found a Jones fracture in his right foot during his medical evaluation. However, the 21-year-old is expected to be 100 percent before training camp and has been highly productive with 93 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and 23 passes defensed from 2021-23.