Tag: Baltimore Ravens

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.

Here’s why NFL Draft prospect Ray Davis deserve more acclaim

Amongst various talent in 2024 NFL Draft class, running back Ray Davis from the University of Kentucky definitely deserves more acclaim.

With all the talk about the superstar talent in the 2024 NFL Draft class, running back Ray Davis from the University of Kentucky definitely deserves more acclaim.

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After five seasons in the NCAA, Davis opted out of what would’ve been his final Bowl game with the Wildcats, and declared for the NFL Draft. Davis produced 21 total touchdowns last season, 14 rushing, and seven receiving. More impressively, Davis rushed for 1,129 yards on 199 carries in arguably the toughest NCAA division in football, the SEC. 

Nimble, swift, and stocky, Davis would be ideal for NFL teams looking for a feature back on passing downs. With a 40-yard dash time of 4.5, Davis isn’t the fastest on the field, but his consistency as both a pass-blocker and pass-catcher do more than make him serviceable. Davis produced a season high 280 rushing yards versus the Florida Gators on Sep. 9, the only game last season where he featured a volume higher than 22 carries.

Davis passes the eye-test and was ranked at No. 6 on PFF’s best running backs in the 2024 NFL Draft class list. Hopefully, NFL scouts find a place for Davis, even if they aren’t sold on him in the Draft.  

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.

Five most memorable NFL Drafts in Ravens franchise history

Ravens have a very rich history when it comes to getting it right on draft night, and we’re revisiting it here. 

The Motor City is ready to rock on Thursday night, as the 2024 NFL Draft will soon be upon us. You have likely seen the very awkward promos that pair Detroiter and Rap Superstar Eminem with Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Hopefully for the Baltimore Ravens, their first round pick, at #30, turns out a lot better than those series of advertisements did. The Ravens have a very rich history when it comes to getting it right on draft night, and we’re revisiting it here.

1996- Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Talking about “leading with strength!” The very first draft pick in Ravens history was made here at #4, in the form of Jonathan Ogden, OT, UCLA. He went on to be enshrined in Canton, and was named the 72nd greatest player in NFL history by NFL Network in 2010. The Ravens then drafted Ray Lewis at #26 out of Miami, and he also made the Hall of Fame.

Lewis is #18 on that aforementioned NFL 100 list, with only two linebackers (Lawrence Taylor #3 and Dick Butkus #10) ranking higher.

2011- Time Runs Out

It’s very rare, but it does happen- sometimes the team “on the clock” sees its time expire before making their pick. The Ravens had been working on a trade, but it didn’t materialize in time to make the pick and their 26th overall instead went to the Kansas City Chiefs.

At least the Ravens made their selection almost immediately after, now 27th on the board, in the form of Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith. The Minnesota Vikings made this same mistake in 2003. Both of these purple clad franchises can forever relate to the timeless lyrics of Culture Club: “Oh, in time, it could have been so much more. The time is precious I know.”

2018- The Franchise

When most face of the franchise, superstar quarterbacks get drafted, it’s at or near the top of the first round. Baltimore nabbed Lamar Jackson at #32 out of Louisville, the very last pick in the first round. When you draft a two time MVP winner at this selection slot, it’s pretty safe to call it “a steal.” Four other QBs were taken ahead of Jackson that night.

2008- Super Bowl Building Block

On this draft night, the Ravens took a gamble on a FCS level prospect, selecting Delaware QB Joe Flacco with the 18th overall pick. He would go on to lead the Ravens to six playoff appearances, three AFC Championship Game appearances and the Super Bowl XLVII title; where he was named the game’s MVP.

2022- Greatest Safety Ever?

On this draft night, the Ravens landed Ed Reed at #24 out of Miami. Reed made the Pro Bowl nine times during his legendary career, and among his many accolades is the career record for interception return yardage (1,590), most career postseason interceptions (9), most seasons leading the league in interceptions (3) and the longest ever interception return for a touchdown (107 yards). Reed is #88 on the all-time NFL top 100 list.

Will Ravens look to pick up 5th-year option on LB Odafe Oweh?

Will the Ravens pick up the fifth-year options on outside linebacker Odafe Oweh?

The Baltimore Ravens have faced some big decisions this offseason, and the toughest could be deciding on Odafe Oweh’s fifth-year option.

The Ravens gained clarification on Rashad Bateman on Wednesday, signing the wide receiver to a three-year contract extension.

When Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta was asked about whether the team would pick up or decline Oweh’s fifth-year options, he was non-committal, saying the team would have more to say about the decisions after the draft.

“I think we’re about a month away from that decision. So, that’s probably when we’ll make that decision, I would think, but we’ll have more to say about that probably after the Draft.”

Oweh’s fifth-year option will be $13.2 million.

The Ravens have until May 2nd to decide on Oweh. According to Pro Football Focus, he posted a pass rush win rate of 18.2 percent, which was the 10th-best mark in the entire league.

In 13 games, Oweh made five starts and recorded 23 total tackles including four for a loss, 12 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and tied his career-high in sacks from his rookie year with five.

Ravens HC John Harbaugh excited for looming offensive line competition

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is excited for competition at the vacant offensive line spots the team has

Once the 2024 NFL season officially kicks off, the Baltimore Ravens will have a very different-looking starting offensive line. John Simpson, Kevin Zeitler, and Morgan Moses have all left the team, leaving Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum as the only two starters from last year’s squad.

When asked about the competition for the three open starting spots, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said he’s excited about what’s in store. He mentioned that the players already on the roster will be ready to compete, and it’s about whoever plays the best at that time.

“Yes, absolutely. It’s going to be competitive. There’s going to be competition for those spots. Whoever plays the best – we always say, ‘Who’s the best player’ – it’s the player who plays the best. You could have been the best player five years ago, but you’re not the best player now. So, every day, you go out to practice every game you play, there’s an accumulated established aspect of it. But right now, we’re a little more open, so those guys that you’re talking about are going to be competing with whoever comes in here, and we’ll just see who does it. But I think those guys are ready to compete and do well. They’ll be in here Monday [for the start of the offseason conditioning program]. I can’t wait to see them. It’s going to be great to see those guys Monday working hard, and [we’ll] see what happens.”

Ben Cleveland, Andrew Vorhees, Daniel Faalele, and others could win starting jobs on the offensive line. Each player has shown flashes, whether at the college or pro level and with so many spots open, there’s bound to be plenty of healthy competition.

Are the Ravens set to unveil a new alternate helmet, logo?

The Baltimore Ravens are adding an alternate helmet featuring the secondary logo shown above.

The NFL, and pro sports in general, is all about adding alternate additional uniforms these days. After all, more uniforms means more merchandise to sell.

Alternate helmets are all the rage in the National Football League these days, and if the Baltimore Ravens are introducing one, it may look like what you see below.

Paul Lukas of Uni Watch just posted this less than an hour ago:

Continue reading “Are the Ravens set to unveil a new alternate helmet, logo?”

Graham Barton nearly slips out of first round in latest CBS Sports mock draft

Graham Barton has been a consensus first-round pick for most of the draft cycle, but he had to wait a while in the latest CBS Sports mock draft.

Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton seems like an assured first-round pick with less than a week before the NFL draft, but in the latest mock draft from CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan on Saturday, he nearly fell into round two.

Sullivan had Barton go 30th overall to the Baltimore Ravens with the idea of protecting two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. The former Blue Devil played both tackle and center in college, and Sullivan thinks his adaptability is perfect for a Ravens team looking for help in multiple spots.

Barton, usually considered the top interior prospect, went after Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson. The Ducks star went 24th overall to the Dallas Cowboys.

The Duke guard was the eighth of nine offensive linemen in Sullivan’s 32-pick mock draft.