The Baltimore Ravens aren’t in a position to just sit back and take the best player available in the 2024 NFL Draft, as their offensive line losing three starters while retaining an aging veteran at left tackle should prompt Eric DeCosta to target a premier offensive lineman early in the festivities.
With Ronnie Stanley fresh off a decline in production and Morgan Moses now a member of the New York Jets, the Ravens could be in the market for an offensive tackle. John Harbaugh may have confidence in Daniel Faalele, but a more practical long-term solution might be needed for Baltimore.
Notre Dame’s Joe Alt has emerged as the top offensive tackle in this class, and there is a fun battle emerging between Penn State’s Olu Fashanu and Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga for the OT2 designation. Beyond that, at least seven different tackles have been projected to be picked in the first round.
If the Ravens are going to address their sudden lack of depth on the offensive line with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, these five players would be ideal selections for DeCosta. These players raneg from raw athletic toolboxes to more refined players who could jump in right away.
Top 5 OT prospects Baltimore Ravens could select in 2024 NFL Draft
5. Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Morgan has been regarded as a second-round pick for most of his pre-draft process, but he is starting to creep into the very end of the first round in the eyes of some. Morgan is a tremendous athlete with some of the mobility, change of direction skills, and second-level blocking in this class.
Morgan doesn’t have great length or hand placement at the moment, but neither of those flaws are big enough to prevent him from being picked in the first round. Morgan could be a backup as a rookie and eventually take over for Stanley if the Ravens plan to move on after the 2024 season.
Tyler Guyton could be a solid starter for the Baltimore Ravens
4. Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Oklahoma OL coach Bill Bedenbaugh, who has coached high-end pros like Creed Humphrey and Orlando Brown Jr, declared Guyton to be “one of the most talented guys I’ve ever seen.” After dominating at the Senior Bowl, Guyton appears to have cemented himself as a Round 1 lock.
Guyton is inexperienced as a tackle, as he has just one year of high-end starting experience and came into college as a defensive end. If the Ravens are ready to work with him, taking Guyton at 30 might help them add yet another Pro Bowler to their growing stable over the years.
3. Amarius Mims, Georgia
Mims is this draft’s ultimate boom-or-bust prospect. While his microscopic pressure rate allowed and 6-7, 340-pound frame makes him an All-Pro talent, the Ravens (and others) will be concerned about a lack of experience as a starter due to some injury problems that could come back in the pros.
Mims was borderline impossible to get around in true pass sets. He expertly blended a pro-ready frame with a surprising quickness that helped him deal with speedy SEC rushers who will join him in the pros. Mims going 30th overall would be a massive steal for Baltimore in a deep OT class.
JC Latham would start at right tackle for the Baltimore Ravens
2. JC Latham, Alabama
Latham is a pure right tackle, but he was a nigh-immovable object (outside of the Rose Bowl against Michigan) who likely won’t be available when Baltimore picks unless DeCosta decides to trade up. Latham is similar to Mims in that his power in the upper body will be his main selling point to NFL teams.
Latham is a better pass blocker than he is a run blocker at this point, and he has won on raw physical dominance in college more than with technical excellence. Any team with confidence in their offensive coaching staff might be willing to take a chance on a terrific talent like Latham.
1. Troy Fautanu, Washington
Fautanu has been a late riser, as there is a good chance that he becomes the first tackle taken outside of the popularly assumed top trio. Fautanu’s measurements quelled any concerns about a possible switch inside to guard, as he is not free to unleash his standout pass-blocking on the rest of the NFL as a left tackle.
With solid footwork and tremendous athleticism, Fautanu might be able to grab a starting spot very early in his rookie season. Even though he played in a pass-happy attack with Washington, his ability to flatten linemen in the run game helped Dillon Johnson almost top 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.
Troy Fautanu could start for the Baltimore Ravens
Fautanu’s aggression as a blocker can lead to him overextending at times, which is where most of his poor reps stem from. Getting him to pull things in a bit and play with a bit more control will be critical for him to achieve what his terrific physical talent could enable him to.
Fautanu is almost assuredly not going to be available at No. 30 overall, but he is worth trading up for. With more athleticism than Latham, experience than Mims, and technical refinement than Guyton, Fautanu is a player who can be a Day 1 starter in the NFL, and the Ravens need to realize that.