Category: Features

NFL Draft: Eric DeCosta reveals what positions Ravens could target on Day 2, Day 3

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta shared where the team could add in the later rounds of the 2024 NFL draft

The Baltimore Ravens have found plenty of diamonds in the rough throughout their franchise history. They’ve brought in many players in the middle rounds of the draft that have made both immediate and long-term impacts, something that needs to happen again in the 2024 NFL draft for the club.

Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta revealed some possible positions the team could target on Day 2 of the draft in rounds two and three. He mentioned that offensive line and wide receiver could be possibilities, along with running back in the fold.

“I think offensive line is pretty stacked across the board in most rounds. I think [wide] receiver is a really deep Draft this year. Those would be two. I mentioned running back; I think that you’ll see a lot of running backs get drafted, probably, starting in the third round through the seventh, [and] you’ll see a lot of guys get picked. Those would be positions that, when I look at [and] assess the Draft, I think are pretty deep positions in the Draft this year.”

Baltimore used its first-round pick on Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins but still has a ways to go to complete its draft class. The Ravens’ next order of business should be the offensive line, and DeCosta’s comments could indicate he will address the need soon.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta hints at adding a RB in later rounds of 2024 NFL draft

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta hinted the team could add a running back in the later rounds of the 2024 NFL draft

The Baltimore Ravens face multiple vital tasks during the 2024 NFL draft. They need to land as many draft picks as possible while maximizing the immediate and future production of whichever rookies they bring in.

Baltimore will always draft the best player available if the board warrants it, but they also draft for need when someone needs to be added. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta talked about adding a running back to the team during the 2024 draft, hinting the pick could come in the later rounds.

“I think so. I think it was an interesting dynamic this year [for running backs] in free agency. You saw whatever it was – maybe nine or 10 guys – get signed on the first day of free agency. I think part of that was probably how people looked at this running back class in the Draft. There are no top-tier, first-round, necessarily, type talents this year. That being said, there are a lot of guys – if you are looking at the prospects in maybe the second, third or fourth round – there are a lot of those guys, particularly [in] third-, fourth- [or] fifth-round clumps, so we’ve looked at those guys very closely. We’re excited about some of those players. There is probably a pretty strong chance that we will draft a running back at some point; [the] round is obviously to be determined, but we do think there is a chance for us to get a good, young player who can help us in different ways; as a running back, in the passing game and also on special teams.”

Baltimore signed running back Derrick Henry on the second day of free agency, automatically reducing the position to the team’s need list. However, with Keaton Mitchell currently on the mend from a late-season injury, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Ravens take a ball carrier with one of their later picks.

Brandon Beane only worried about Bills in trade with Chiefs

Beane breaks down dealing with the Chiefs:

The Buffalo Bills made two trades in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. The first was the more surprising.

The Bills moved back from No. 28 to 32 in a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The same Chiefs that have had the postseason edge on Buffalo in recent years.

Even so, general manager Brandon Beane said he was not hesitant to do so. His reasoning was a long explanation, yet a simple one.

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“What’s the best move for the Bills?” Beane said.

Beane’s full explanation can be found in the WIVB-TV clip below:

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Ravens GM Eric DeCosta reflects on going through draft process without Joe Hortiz

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta discussed going through the 2024 draft process without Joe Hortiz

The Baltimore Ravens have intricate draft processes, including many different organization members. While the general manager might have the final say in who’s selected, Baltimore relies more than ever on its scouting department and others throughout the team to ensure every option is exhausted.

This draft season, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta had to go through his process without one of his closest companions, former Baltimore director of player personnel Joe Hortiz. DeCosta joked that there’s more leg room now when he does press conferences that Hortiz used to attend, but he conceded that he misses him very much.

“There’s definitely more leg room up here.” (laughter) “I’m probably more comfortable, because [former Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz] was always butting into us. It’s been a change for me, definitely. I miss Joe. I miss his personality. Joe’s a great evaluator. First and foremost, for me, the comfort that I would have with Joe saying, ‘Take a look at these guys and let me know what you think.’ [He has] great instincts [and] great feel as an evaluator. In saying that, we have other guys that excel at that as well. [Head coach] John [Harbaugh] is a great evaluator. [Executive vice president] Ozzie Newsome’s a Hall of Fame evaluator. [Director of player personnel] George Kokinis, [director of college scouting] David Blackburn – our coaches do a great job [as well]. We definitely have guys who can pick up the slack. I was thinking about it today coming in. I think this is my 20th year running the Draft. I think my first year was 2005 – the [former Ravens WR] Mark Clayton Draft. It’s crazy to think that everything that goes into it [for] 20 years. Joe was with me for 19 of those 20 years. Obviously, it’s a big change, but I think one that is exciting. We certainly have people who can step up and really get it done.”

Hortiz was a staple in Baltimore, working his way up the ranks of the Ravens’ organization with DeCosta since 1998 when he was a personnel assistant. The former director of player personnel earned the general manager job of the Los Angeles Chargers, meaning he and DeCosta will be going head-to-head for the first time in the 2024 NFL draft.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta discusses changes to evaluating kick returners with new rules

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta discussed changes to how kick returners are evaluated with the NFL’s new rules

The Baltimore Ravens have long-been known for their special teams prowess across the NFL, especially under head coach John Harbaugh. The team executes at an extremely high level on that side of the ball, spending plenty of capital to make sure they are to the highest special teams standard possible.

The NFL introduced new special teams rules during the 2024 offseason, specifically on kickoff returns. Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta was asked about how evaluating returners has changed with the new rules in place, and talked about the special teams culture that they’ve already established.

“Well, that’s a good question. And I would say this, that I’ve been blessed to have a head coach who’s a special teams coach, and we have excellent specials teams coaches upstairs. Those guys are really valuable to me whenever we discuss special teams and what these rule changes might mean and the type of players that we’re looking for and the skillsets that we’re looking for. So, we want athletes, and we want playmakers. They have to catch the ball. They have to be able to break tackles. They have to be able to make guys miss. So, I think we’re in the process of addressing that in different ways. There’s certainly some skilled guys in the Draft, some excellent returners – we’ve talked about a few guys already – and I think we’ll be in good shape in September.”

The Ravens lost wide receiver Devin Duvernay to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the offseason, but subsequently signed former Buffalo Bills wideout Deonte Harty to fill the void. Both players are known primarily as returners, but with new rules changing the landscape of kickoffs, the league could see a shift in what’s valued in a returner.

John Harbaugh reaffirms Ravens commitment to best player available strategy in draft

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reaffirmed his commitment to the best player available strategy in the draft

Throughout their franchise history, the Baltimore Ravens have been able to replenish roster after roster through the draft. They’ve been known to find diamonds in the rough in later rounds, hit on early picks, and win draft season year in and year out.

Baltimore’s commitment to using the best player-available strategy is part of its success. When discussing the 2024 NFL draft, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reaffirmed his commitment to selecting the best player available, explaining that things go deeper than pure need.

“I feel like you’re trying to get Eric [DeCosta] … The one [question] he won’t answer through me on that. To see if I’ll give it up and maybe Harbaugh will chirp, or he’s a canary. I’m a canary I guess.” (laughter) “Best available player. Isn’t that what we said? It depends again. It depends on … We do have some needs. I have my depth chart; there’s no doubt, and Eric and I talk about that all the time – where the blocks are and where the goals are specifically for those guys. [It’s] kind of what type of player do we need and what type of spot to build our team from the top to the bottom. There’s a lot of thought that goes into it, [and] a lot of conversation that goes into that. So, it’s not just a position. It’s not just a, ‘Hey, we need an offensive lineman, a guard, a tackle, wide receiver, a corner, a pass rusher, tight end or whatever.’ It’s what type of player do we need and what roles do we need filled? Even right through – from offense or defense right down through special teams – these are all the jobs that need to be done and who fills those jobs the best in a way that can win for us. [It’s] not just, ‘He can do that,’ it’s usually who’s going to excel at what. And that is the team-building process, and that goes with the scheme, too. So sometimes you get players that are a little bit different, so you want to move your scheme that way. Sometimes you have a way you want to play, you have needs on your roster, so you move your Draft a little bit that way. I think that’s the art of the whole thing.”

The Ravens have always done an excellent job of addressing needs, but taking the best players on their board has been what pays dividends and keeps them in contention year in and year out. The strategy allows them to plan for the future while also understanding what they need in the moment. It also lets them plug and play a quality player at a position when a starter leaves due to immense depth.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta on picking at No. 30: ‘I don’t see any unique challenges’

Ravens Eric DeCosta discussed picking at No. 30 in the 2024 NFL draft

The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. Baltimore was outplayed. As such, the Ravens are picking No. 30 in the 2024 NFL draft, a position with many pros and cons.

When asked what picking at No. 30 can entail, Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta said he doesn’t see any unique challenges between picking early or late. He mentions that either way, you’re trying to get value, and at the end of the day, you grade and rank players and select based on multiple factors.

“I don’t see any unique challenges picking early [or] picking late. It’s really the same. It’s just having the players that you really want be there when you have to pick. If you have a typical Draft, if you’re picking 10th, you maybe have four or five guys you really want. If you’re picking 28th or 30th, you might only have 15 or 20 guys that you really want. The way your brain works, is you [assign] a value to players, and you’re hoping to get that value at that pick. You really want to get value. For us, it’s just you hope and pray that one of those top 20 guys might be there for us at [pick No.] 30 so we have some additional value associated with that. In the end, you just grade the players, and you rank the players.”

The No. 30 pick could hold possible value for teams trying to trade to back into the first round, or there could be a fall of a player that the Ravens can get lucky with. There will still be plenty of quality options available when Baltimore is slated to be on the clock, with plenty of possible outcomes.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta calls edge rusher class in 2024 NFL draft ‘average’

Ravens’ general manager Eric DeCosta called the EDGE class in the 2024 NFL draft “average”

The Baltimore Ravens will likely look to add to their edge room before the 2024 offseason concludes. The team already re-signed veteran pass rusher Kyle Van Noy, but they could sign an outside free agent or draft a rookie who could be a difference-maker.

When speaking to the media, Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta gave his honest opinion on the upcoming edge class in the 2024 NFL draft. He said that the pass rusher group available this year is only “average”, saying that it depends on what teams are looking for with speed, power, and more.

“I think it’s an average Draft, I would say, for edge pass rushers. There are certainly some guys at the top. For us, we’ve had success throughout the years in finding some guys in the middle rounds that have been good players for us. It really depends on what you’re looking for. You have your speed rushers. You have power guys, guys that can do both, guys that have to play in a three-point stance [and] guys that can play in a two-point stance. A lot of it has to do with your fit and what you’re looking for. Our coaches play a big part in that in their evaluation. [Pass rush coach] Chuck Smith does a really, really good job of evaluating pass rushers and has done a good job for us coaching those guys as well. We’ll get the [Draft] board squared away. There are certainly some guys at the top that probably won’t be there when we pick. So, the challenge for us is going to be who’s going to be that next-tier group of guys in that sweet spot between the 25th player to the 45th player that we have a chance to get either at [pick No.] 30 or at [pick No.] 62.”

The Ravens will be relying on young players such as Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo regarding their edge rushers, alongside the veteran presence of players like Van Noy. However, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the team add a rookie edge player, even in an “average” class.

Ravens sign WR Rashod Bateman to a 3-year contract extension

The Baltimore Ravens have signed wide receiver Rashod Bateman to a contract extension through the 2026 season

The Ravens made some news one day ahead of the 2024 NFL draft, signing Rashod Bateman to a contract extension.

The three-year deal comes eight days before the deadline for exercising his 5th-year option.

In 2023, Bateman caught just 32 passes for 367 yards and one touchdown despite playing in all but one game and starting 12 contests.

A 2021 first-round pick, Bateman missed most of his second season after having foot surgery and was still dealing with the effects last season after finishing with 56 targets, the fourth-most on the team behind Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr., and Mark Andrews.

He’ll enter 2024 without any lame duck status, as he and the organization reached a fair resolution that’ll likely pay Bateman less than his fifth-year option while ensuring security with two extra years.

Eric DeCosta ‘excited’ to have Kyle Van Noy back with the Ravens

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is excited to have outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy back with the team

The Baltimore Ravens are currently relying on youth at the edge rusher position. The team lost Jadeveon Clowney to the Carolina Panthers but retained veteran Kyle Van Noy on a two-year deal after a productive season in Baltimore.

While Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo will be key young pieces to the Ravens’ pass-rushing group in 2024, Van Noy was a must-retain in terms of the leadership and production he brought both on and off the field. Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta discussed his excitement for having Van Noy back with the team while also mentioning the young guys on the team.

“First, we were very excited to bring Kyle [Van Noy] back. It was a great experience for us last year with Kyle, and I think Kyle would say the same. He’s certainly a player that helped us quite a bit. [I] love his mentality, leadership, physicality that he brings [and] versatility as a player. I think it’s great to have a veteran in the [outside linebacker] room. We do have a lot of younger guys. We have a lot younger guys that we think have a lot of potential, and we would expect those guys to reach their potential this year. We’re very excited about all those young players. We’ve seen some quality play. We’ve seen some flashes of quality play, and we’re very excited. We can’t wait to get started.”

Van Noy was a late addition for the Ravens last year, as the team brought him at the end of September, a few weeks into the 2023 season. He was an invaluable contributor on defense, setting a career-high in sacks with nine while also contributing 30 total tackles and two forced fumbles.