OWINGS MILLS — General manager Eric DeCosta has confidence the Ravens will build much-needed depth with the talent pool in this year’s NFL draft.
The team’s biggest needs are on the offensive line, cornerback and outside linebacker.
DeCosta envisions adding talent to each of those positions.
“We see this year’s draft and next year’s draft as a chance to build up the (roster) depth again,” DeCosta said at the Ravens pre-draft press conference on Tuesday.
The Ravens have nine selections in this year’s draft, including the 30th overall pick.
DeCosta did not hint at which position the team might draft in the first round. He said offensive linemen and wide receivers have the most depth.
The scouts and coaches spent most of the previous day evaluating potential offensive linemen.
“It’s a very deep pool of players [at the offensive line],” DeCosta said.
NFL Network releases five-round mock draft
The NFL Network’s Chad Reuter released his five-round 2024 NFL mock draft and he has the Ravens addressing several areas of need.
Reuters’s predictions for the Ravens:
First round — Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma, offensive tackle
Second round — Jaylen Wright, Tennessee, running back
Third round — Keon Coleman, Florida State, wide receiver
Fourth round — Christian Haynes, Connecticut, offensive guard, and, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech, safety
Fifth round — Xavier Thomas, Clemson, edge rusher
Henry: Ravens were always the top destination for him
New Ravens running back Derrick Henry said Baltimore was also his top destination in free agency, even though there was speculation he wanted to play for the Cowboys because he lives in Dallas.
Henry said again that the Cowboys didn’t reach out to him.
“For the record, Baltimore was always my No. 1 option,” Henry said on The Jim Rome Show. “That’s always where I wanted to go. And like I said, I know the trade talks, it was almost going to happen, but I didn’t know once free agency started if they still felt the same until I talked to my agent to see what was really going on. And I know, like you said, the Cowboys lost [Tony)]Pollard, so I didn’t know if they’re going to be looking for a running back. I live here in the offseason, I’ve been training here, living here for a while, so I just thought it made sense, and you know, I thought there’d be talks. But they never really reached out.
“And you know, like I said, everything happens for a reason, I just pray to God to put me in the place where I’m meant to be, and Baltimore is that spot. And I’m happy and I’m excited for the opportunity. But the Cowboys never reached out, and it’s all good.”
