OTL: As Dust Settles from 2024 Draft, Time to Wait & See

After months of anticipation, the 2024 Draft is in the books. Normally, it’s a three-day process filled with drama and intrigue, in what my uncle fondly refers to as “the best soap opera on television.” This year, though, in an uncharacteristic approach from what we normally see Baltimore do, the Ravens opted to “stick and pick” with each of their selections, netting nine prospects for the coming year. With the newly minted class in the books and UDFA announcements trickling in, what are the major changes, and where do we still see some work to be done?

An updated look at the #Ravens roster breakdown.
Please note that these are reported UDFA signings, so some of them may be try-outs or misreported.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like they have been able to bring in any developmental OTs so far, but the Brade signing is quality. pic.twitter.com/pjvPj7nFSu

— Daniel Rees (@DPRees8) April 28, 2024

Winners and losers of 2024 NFL Draft, Ravens version: https://t.co/7I5XX5UCNu

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) April 29, 2024

Let’s start by stating the obvious: the secondary looks significantly better than it did at the beginning of last week. That’s not to say they were desperate for improvement; Baltimore’s defense put up historically good numbers last season as they led the league in turnovers, sacks, and points allowed. While their pass defense ranked 8^th in terms of yards allowed, they also registered 18 interceptions, which helped them post the lowest opposing QB rating of any team. So, why such a major investment?

DeCosta said that the Ravens had a lot of trade possibilities, but if “Nate were there, we were going to make that pick.” He said they would have strongly considered trading out if Wiggins wasn’t available.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) April 26, 2024

DeCosta: “It became apparent that if we didn’t get a corner in the first half, it was going to get challenging” to get one later.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) April 26, 2024

Are these metrics on Nate Wiggins good? @PFF pic.twitter.com/TCwwFfC7LV

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) April 26, 2024

To hear EDC tell it, the 1^st-round selection of Nate Wiggins was a case of “right player, right price.” The Ravens knew that there was a potential drop-off at CB in quality later in the Draft, and with their philosophy that you can never have too many corners, they grabbed an impressive player that they feel can be a system fit. Just in case you were foolish enough to believe that they did, in fact, have enough corners, they double dipped in the 4^th round by selecting Iowa State CB T.J. Tampa, who received a major vote of confidence from fellow Cyclone alum Breece Hall.

TJ Tampa gon be the steal of the draftyall don’t even know

— Breece Hall (@BreeceH) April 27, 2024

Was this draft a masterpiece for Baltimore?

The #Ravens made some stellar picks this past weekend. None may be greater than TJ Tampa. @koestreicher34 tells us why he is calling this his favorite pick of the draft.

New episode out now on YouTube and wherever you listen to… pic.twitter.com/ljPOQxbJfq

— Samuel Njoku (@RavensTalkPod) April 29, 2024

As my fellow Kevin alluded to in that video recap, the Ravens lost pieces in free agency, and now take the opportunity to improve at the position in front of depth guys like Pepe Williams and JAD. With Brandon Stephens entering the final year of his contract, they now have viable options for the future and an insane starting 5 on the back end of the defense. Combine that with the depth safety pickups of Sanoussi Kane in the 7^th and Beau Brade as a surprising UDFA, and the secondary seems to be in great shape for 2024.

What made those investments feel slightly luxurious, though, were the needs entering the draft along the O-line and at receiver. Receiver was the lesser of the two, so we’ll touch on that one quickly. The 4^th-round selection of Devontez Walker out of UNC gives the Ravens another talented option in a room that didn’t have many guys under contract beyond this year. Tez’s ceiling is extremely high, as was the case for so many wideouts in this class, and his elusiveness makes him a deep threat and a viable option toward the boundaries. My concern doesn’t lie as much in the player as it does in the scheme, and in the patience of the team to allow Tez to develop.

the colts ran the 3rd most 11 personnel in the league last season which means AD mitchell should get a decent opportunity to see the field earlyhttps://t.co/ikboKP34Aj pic.twitter.com/fvqpv1H6MN

— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) April 29, 2024

If you reference the stats above compiled by Tej Seth (who is an incredible social media follow if you enjoy the numbers), the Ravens ran one of the lowest rates of 11 personnel last season (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs). With Zay Flowers clearly cementing himself as the #1 receiver last season, an expected emphasis on Rashod Bateman with OBJ’s departure, clear chemistry between Lamar Jackson and Nelson Agholor, and the crucial role of tight ends in the offense, I just don’t know if Tez will be fed enough in the offense to see him flourish in his rookie season. My request here, Flock, would be to exercise some patience in this role. His opportunities will come, even if they’re not this season.

The unit that may not have the luxury of patience, though, is the O-line room, with a lot of change and expectation, and a thin margin for error.

The new look offensive line for 2024 pic.twitter.com/VjCmmtlGPp

— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) April 29, 2024

Roger Rosengarten likes putting defenders on the groundpic.twitter.com/1gSUPMd5VS

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) April 29, 2024

The more I process the 2^nd-round selection of OT Roger Rosengarten, the more I like what the front office did in taking him. He’s an experienced RT who didn’t require a lot of help on his QB’s blindside, flourishing in pass pro and not surrendering a sack in his entire college career. You can’t really ask much more than that, and I think that he has a legitimate shot to win the starting RT job as he competes with Daniel Faalele. Still, we know the jump to the pro level as a rookie can take time, and that same jump is facing Andrew Vorhees, who sat out all last season with an ACL tear. Based on the singular selection of an interior O-lineman in the draft with 7^th-rounder Nick Samac, I think it’s safe to say that the coaching staff has confidence in what they’ve seen in Vorhees behind closed doors. Similarly, Ben Cleveland’s early-career struggles seem to be subsiding, and maybe we finally get the best version of what we were all expecting from Big Country as a 3^rd-round pick in 2021.

Some of these acquisitions feel like a definite improvement, while the rest feel very “wait and see,” but truthfully, the entire Draft process is “wait and see” by nature. I don’t expect to glean much from rookie minicamp, but we’ll keep our eyes and ears open to learn what we can about the newest group of Ravens.

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