Ravens reach extension with wide receiver Rashod Bateman through 2026
Luke Jones, Baltimore Positive
Despite the injuries that have stunted his development, Bateman has flashed high-end potential, especially when it comes to gaining separation. He appeared poised for a breakout 2022 campaign when he registered 226 receiving yards and two touchdowns over the first three games, but he sustained a Week 4 foot injury that led to season-ending surgery. Last year, observers questioned Bateman’s on-field chemistry with MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson as the two misfired on numerous big-play opportunities. Baltimore is betting on a full spring and summer on the practice field to remedy that, especially with veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. no longer on the roster.
The move also adds some long-term stability to the position group as 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers had been Baltimore’s only wide receiver under contract beyond the upcoming season.
In 34 career games, Bateman has caught 93 passes for 1,167 yards and four touchdowns.
Drafting offensive linemen who can protect Ravens QB Lamar Jackson must be a priority
Mike Preston, The Baltimore Sun
The Ravens are looking for offensive linemen in the NFL draft, but their philosophy should change. Instead of looking for the dominant, physical maulers up front, they should seek versatile performers who can balance run and pass blocking.
In recent seasons, the Ravens have been one of the best — if not the best — in the NFL at running the ball, but they can’t get to the Super Bowl because of their inability to protect quarterback Lamar Jackson.
It hasn’t mattered who has lined up under center, the results have been the same. In the gut-wrenching wild-card playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals two seasons ago, backup Tyler Huntley was sacked twice and hit five times.
In the 17-10 AFC championship game loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs, Jackson was sacked four times in a game that was reminiscent of the 23-17 wild-card-round loss to the Los Angeles Chargers after his breakthrough 2018 rookie season.
The Ravens should stress more versatility with their offensive linemen and draft players who can do more than maul people in the running game. There are several holes to fill, including both guard spots and right tackle. This draft presents them with several opportunities to find a starter, or more than one.
It will be interesting to see what the Ravens do in the first round. According to some draft experts, there could be as many as 10 offensive tackles taken in the first round.
After a tackle, the Ravens might target a guard, such as Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe or Connecticut’s Christian Haynes, in the second round. Regardless, though, the Ravens need to get out of that old-school mindset when it comes to evaluating offensive linemen.
2024 NFL Draft: One prediction for all 32 NFL teams
Gordon McGuinness, PFF
BALTIMORE RAVENS: TRADE UP FOR AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN IN ROUNDS 1 OR 2
After trading away Morgan Moses, the third-highest-graded right tackle in the NFL last season, and restructuring left tackle Ronnie Stanley’s contract, the Ravens are facing 2024 and 2025 needs at both tackle spots. Picking 30th overall, they may need to move up in the first round if they want to grab any of the six offensive tackles in the top 20 of PFF’s big board. If Baltimore waits until Round 2, acquiring developmental players like Yale’s Kiran Amegadjie or BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia could require a trade-up from No. 62.
2024 NFL mock draft: Miller predicts 32 first-round picks
Matt Miller, ESPN
30. Baltimore Ravens
Jamison Hensley’s pick: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Baltimore Ravens could consider trading out of the first round if a team wants to move up to get a quarterback, but, if Mims is available, Baltimore will be ecstatic to make the pick. The Ravens fill their biggest need with Mims, who didn’t allow a sack at Georgia. Mims will start immediately at right tackle. Adding a big-bodied blocker for reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson would be a best-case scenario for the Ravens.
NFL beat writer mock draft 3.0: Vikings, Bills, Saints shake things up with trades into top 10
Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic
30. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Guyton only started 15 games in college, so he has plenty still to learn. However, the Ravens traditionally do a nice job developing linemen. With Guyton, there’s so much to work with. He’s a well-proportioned 6-foot-7, 322-pounder who has long arms, strong hands and tremendous athleticism for a big man. The Ravens, who need a young and talented offensive tackle after trading Morgan Moses last month, will happily deal with Guyton’s inevitable growing pains. It was tempting to take Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry — and don’t be surprised if Baltimore does just that — but it was too hard to pass up a plug-and-play right tackle with Guyton’s upside.
2024 NFL Draft sleepers: Day 2 standouts and Day 3 hidden gems to target
Mike Band, NFL.com
TCU · OG · 23 years old
DJ’s Big Board Ranking: No. 99
Production Score: 64
Athleticism Score: 97
OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 79
Coleman has a reasonable chance to hear his name called toward the end of Day 2, as the No. 99-ranked prospect on Jeremiah’s list. Nevertheless, in this exercise, Coleman is our top Day 3 sleeper after posting the highest NGS athleticism score (97) among offensive guards at the combine.
A former JUCO transfer, Coleman gained experience at both tackle and guard over 34 career starts at TCU. At 6-4 1/2, 313 pounds with 34 5/8-inch arms and an 84-inch wingspan, Coleman possesses the size and length expected of an NFL offensive lineman, offering invaluable positional flexibility at four of the five spots along the front.
At the combine, it was his 40 speed (4.99 seconds), 34-inch vertical leap and 9-foot-6 broad jump that helped Coleman earn a blue-chip athleticism score from the NGS model. Coleman reached a top speed of 20.35 mph during his 40, the second-fastest top speed among interior offensive linemen, slower than only the next player on our list …
2024 NFL Draft: Final Ravens Seven-Round Mock Draft
Joe Serpico, PressBox
Round 1, No. 30
Option 1: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Option 2: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Option 3: Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri
Round 2, No. 62:
Option 1: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
Option 2: Christian Haynes, IOL, UConn
Option 3: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Round 3, No. 93:
Option 1: Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas
Option 2: Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas
Option 3: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
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