OTL: Can Ravens Find Another Star in Top Half of First Round?

The Ravens have made 11 selections in the top half of the NFL Draft since their inception in 1996. Of those 11 players, nine made the Pro Bowl in at least one season. The only two who didn’t were Travis Taylor, and Duane Starks, who was a key cog of the 2000 defense and recorded 20 interceptions in his four seasons in Baltimore, including a pick six in Super Bowl XXXV. The other nine in order: Jonathan Ogden, Peter Boulware, Chris McAlister, Jamal Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata Ronnie Stanley, Marlon Humphrey, and Kyle Hamilton.

Baltimore heads into this draft with a few roster holes that became glaring throughout the season, and all will need to be answered in one way or another. Maybe, just maybe, the Ravens can hand pick a future Ring of Honor inductee.

Of the issues last season, the biggest one may have been the interior offensive line. Daniel Faalele is a pending free agent, and Andrew Vorhees will have to fight for a starting spot after his subpar performance last season, so that leaves at least one guard position to be filled. Depending on if the Ravens trust Emery Jones over the little they saw in the final few weeks, or if they sign a veteran in free agency, both spots may be open. There’s only one true potential fit on the interior o-line at pick 14: Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane.

If you’re a team in need for a first round guard, there’s one clear option: Vega Ioane.

Like QB, RB and S, there’s no debate about the best player at the guard position in this year’s class. https://t.co/n3U0V3Le9g

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 17, 2026

With that being said, do you really want to snag an offensive guard this high in the draft? There’s primed to be plenty of talent at skill positions, and we all know the front office’s history of taking the best player available early on. We have also been reminded lately that choosing an interior OL in the first round can negatively affect things contract-wise down the road, when it comes to the fifth-year option and franchise tags (thanks to highly-paid tackles).

The pass rush was another huge flaw on last year’s squad, which is why an edge rusher certainly makes sense. The position room is currently headlined by Mike Green and Tavius Robinson, with Dre’Mont Jones as a pending FA. Green and Robinson are certainly breakout candidates, but not proven pass-rushers in the league. While this may be a position best addressed in free agency, Texas A&M product Cashius Howell is certainly a newcomer who’s caught my eye.

The twitch and fluidity of Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell pops off the tape. Looks like a basketball player with his movement skills on this Euro-swipe.

Howell was top 10 in the SEC in pressures (41) and pass rush win rate (19.9%) this past season. pic.twitter.com/PSiJxF7zRN

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) February 24, 2026

Howell appeared in all 13 games a season ago for the Aggies, and recorded 11.5 sacks. He’s a pure pass-rusher at 6’2” 248, and could immediately have an impact at a position of need.

What seemed to be a strong cornerback room coming into the season deteriorated relatively quickly, and now needs to be addressed. Chidobe Awuzie, who was perhaps the Ravens most consistent coverage corner, is slated to hit free agency. Nate Wiggins took a step back in year two, but could potentially rebound in a new system. Meanwhile, Marlon Humphrey’s best days seem to be in the distant past. There’s some good depth in the cornerback room with T.J. Tampa and a few late-round rookies from last year’s draft, but the Ravens may need another true lockdown corner.

The most likely fits would be LSU’s Mansoor Delane (although he could easily get scooped up a few picks before theirs), or Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy. McCoy didn’t play all of 2025 with a Torn ACL, but was a top performer in years prior.

https://twitter.com/BengalsBrews/status/2023207085261963513?s=20

There’s always the wide receiver conversation as well. There was practically no involvement from anyone behind Zay Flowers down the stretch, and there is plenty of receiving talent toward the top of this draft. USC receiver Makai Lemon is another smaller receiver at 5’11 195, but could make for a very fun pairing with Flowers, and could potentially be his successor if Flowers’ price tag is too high next offseason. ASU’s Jordan Tyson fits the mold of a bigger jump ball receiver many fans have clamored for over the years, and could be another potential option.

Jordyn Tyson just tearing everybody to shreds… electrifying…
pic.twitter.com/316bvyFSjE

— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) February 19, 2026

What say you Ravens fans? Do you build the trenches, or do you go for a more flashy pick that will show up in the stat sheet?

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