The Baltimore Ravens are currently slotted to pick No. 30 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the idea of trading down is always on Eric DeCosta’s mind. While he has made some aggressive moves up in recent years, a move down might be in the best interest of the team.
Without one gigantic glaring need that needs to be addressed and some deep classes at offensive tackle and wide receiver, the Ravens might need to take a look at auctioning off No. 30 to the highest bidder and stockpiling a handful of selections in the middle rounds that could become impact playmakers.
If the Ravens decide to adhere to this strategy and stockpile Day 2 picks, they need to come out of the 2024 NFL Draft with some of these three studs. The Ravens could trade down and pick up three players who will all play an important role in turning Baltimore into a Super Bowl contender.
3 players the Baltimore Ravens must target after trade down in 2024 NFL Draft
3. Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Suamataia is what you would want if you were sketching up an offensive lineman on a board. With tree trunk legs and an aggressive style that leaves edge rushers beaten down by the end of the game, some team is going to have a field day with him should the former Cougars star ever reach his full potential.
Suamataia is a better second-level blocker and puller than most tackles in this range, which could be even more appealing for a Ravens team that is going to run the ball until Derrick Henry throws up from exhaustion (in the regular season, at least).
Kingsley Suamataia could be a solid pick for the Baltimore Ravens
Suamataia is one of those players who can win on pure physical gifts, and he needs to improve on his overall positioning and lateral mobility if he wants to handle NFL-level speed rushers. If he sits his rookie year on the bench, he could get slowly brought along as he tries to hone his skills.
Suamataia has enough power to might to right tackle and hold up. If the Ravens want to keep him at left tackle, he could spend his rookie year on ice while eventually taking over for Ronnie Stanley. Suamataia fits in with the profile of many other strong tackles the Ravens have picked in recent years.
2. Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
It’s tough being Braswell, as he was overshadowed at almost every turn by teammate and likely Top 10 pick Dallas Turner at Alabama. Those who took a close inspection of Braswell, however, would see that he is a worthy prospect who could become a Top-50 pick for a team with a need for speed off the edge.
Braswell’s speed-to-power is exceptional, and he pairs that with impressive bendiness off the edge. Not only does he fire off the edge, but he does so while pairing his attack with impressive pass rush moves that will ease his transition into a situational pass rush move early in his career.
Chris Braswell could be a solid pass rusher for the Baltimore Ravens
Braswell isn’t the biggest player or the most effective with his hand in the dirt. As such, Braswell might be limited to a role player who can get to the quarterback in the pros. His run defense was solid, but he likely won’t ever be a true edge-setter at the professional level without some added weight.
Part of what has made Baltimore’s defense so good in recent years is their ability to identify talent to fill specific roles. With Jadeveon Clowney gone, the Ravens could draft someone who could replicate his speed off the edge by bringing Braswell into the fold and letting his athleticism take over.
1. Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
The Ravens’ ideal receiver at this point in the draft might be an electric player who sets himself apart with quality route-running and great hands. Wilson’s player profile is the archetype everyone is looking for, only with even more speed than most receivers in this range.
Wilson would help add more verticality and downfield playmaking to the Ravens. While he doesn’t have the greatest YAC skill, playing alongside a more creative passing game mind like Todd Monken might be all he needs to unlock that hidden skill and last in the pros.
Roman Wilson could be a playmaker for the Baltimore Ravens
Wilson’s ability to stop and start both with and without the ball in his hands is exemplary, and he has a solid catch radius for a player his size. The Ravens won’t need to think too long and hard about how to find ways to get him on the field and maximize his complete skill set.
Wilson could instantly slot in as the No. 3 wide receiver in Baltimore, becoming the WR2 if he proved to be a better option than Rashod Bateman. Even if Bateman plays well, the Ravens need to add to their wide receiver room if they want keep up with the rest of the AFC.
