2024 NFL Draft Grades: Baltimore Ravens

Day 1 grade: B
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: A

Analysis: The Ravens had yet another solid draft. Wiggins' elite recovery speed earned him a first-round slot, but he must answer questions about how his lean frame and inconsistent tackling translates to the next level. Rosengarten and Isaac were great value picks at two need spots.

I liked the selection of Walker, an outside playmaker, early in Round 4, even after the team re-upped Rashod Bateman. Tampa's size and strength at the catch point made him worthy of a Day 2 pick, but Baltimore landed him on Day 3. Ali is coming off a biceps injury suffered at the Senior Bowl. Leary's arm and experience gained him a draft spot. Samac's a powerful interior lineman.

Top needs entering the draft: Cornerback, offensive line, edge defender

The Ravens parted ways with a handful of starters from their 13-4 team, including guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson, right tackle Morgan Moses, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, cornerback Ronald Darby and linebacker Patrick Queen. They have a few players from the 2022 and 2023 drafts who could step up as starters this season, but there are big shoes to fill at important positions. So, what did GM Eric DeCosta do on the first two days of this draft? He landed three guys in my top 51, all of whom could be big-time rookie contributors, and got value with each selection.

Nate Wiggins (30) is one of the fastest cornerbacks in this class, a long and gifted cover man with good instincts. Though he's a little light at 173 pounds, he'll grow into his frame in time. Roger Rosengarten (52), one of my favorite prospects in the entire draft, could step in and start at right tackle in 2024. Edge rusher Adisa Isaac (93) went a full round below where I rated him. He had 16 tackles for loss last season and outshined teammate Chop Robinson on tape, though Isaac doesn't have the same kind of upside as a pass-rusher.

Wideout Tez Walker (113) and cornerback T.J. Tampa (130) were tremendous picks on Day 3. I thought Tampa might end up in Round 1 at one point, but there are questions about his recovery speed. Baltimore has had a great history of late-round running backs, and Rasheen Ali (165) could be the next one to make the team.

DeCosta did it again in this class; there are some excellent prospects here. It's not quite in the "A" tier, though.

THIS WAS A DOWN-THE-FAIRWAY DRAFT FOR THE RAVENS, who did what they always seem to do each year by picking up a handful of talented future contributors. I liked the selection of cornerback Nate Wiggins in the first round, giving the team an uber-athletic, plug-and-play starter on the outside. The team turned around in the second round and grabbed a smooth-moving right tackle in Roger Rosengarten, who lacks power and ballast as a blocker but brings quick feet and good hand work to a position of need. Rosengarten has the traits to play at either left or right tackle. Penn State's Adisa Isaac gives the Ravens another disruptive pass rusher to add to the rotation, and North Carolina receiver Devontez Walker is a field stretcher who could work his way onto the field as a big-play threat. Baltimore got excellent value with their selection of corner T.J. Tampa late in the fourth round. He was my 83rd ranked player overall, and combines excellent length with playmaking instincts. He adds to the Ravens' depth to that position and could emerge as a future starter. All in all, an unflashy but solid haul for the Ravens.

When you're drafting at the end of every round, maybe you reach just a little in spots. Yet it seems like they did a good job — per usual — marrying value, talent and need. First-round CB Nate Wiggins (Clemson) is a supreme athlete, and his tackling will improve — because the Ravens will demand that. Second-rounder Roger Rosengarten (Washington) should be the new right tackle, while third round OLB Adisa Isaac (Penn State) could be a factor on passing downs straight away. And the value picks kicked in on Day 3 with deep threat WR Devontez Walker (North Carolina) and CB T.J. Tampa (Iowa State), who could give Wiggins a battle to get on the field first.

To be fair, the Ravens' patience doesn't always pay off — but damn if it isn't impressive anyway. Given their holes on the offensive line, it was interesting when they opted for cornerback Nate Wiggins in the first round. Not to worry; they hung out at the back of the second round and got a starter-caliber tackle in Roger Rosengarten, anyway. Adding deep threat receiver Devontez Walker in the fourth round feels like a sneaky good value, too — which would be a fun development for Lamar Jackson. It's worth noting that Baltimore has yet to find a star edge rusher, but those guys are tough to find when you're consistently picking late. —David Helman

Best Pick: Fourth-round corner T.J. Tampa will prove to be really good pick. He can play the corner, but I also think he can move inside to safety. Versatility is huge in the Ravens defense.

Worst Pick: Fourth-round wide receiver Devontez Walker can run, but he is inconsistent. If he can be more consistent and catch the ball better, he will be a steal. For now, it's risky.

The Skinny: The Ravens and general manager Eric DeCosta are usually among the best in the league when it comes to drafting. This was a solid draft as usual, filling a bunch of needs. First-round corner Nate Wiggins should be a long-term starter. He can cover, but needs to work on tackling.

Analysis: The Ravens once again locked into their key positions of need under Eric DeCosta and practiced patience in letting values drop to them. Wiggins and Tampa have a chance to be a special starting cornerback duo in time. Issac is their style of edge rusher, while Walker provides a key missing element at receiver to help Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Baltimore doesn't make bad picks in relation to having the right talent available. Ali added needed backfield depth behind Derrick Henry, and Leary is a good developmental athlete.

Analysis: Baltimore used the first round to reinforce its secondary, nabbing Wiggins as a tough, undersized corner at 173 pounds. In the second round, general manager Eric DeCosta replaced departed right tackle Morgan Moses with Rosengarten, then found a productive edge in Isaac to round out the first two nights.

The Ravens are more consistent in the draft than most teams because they have a type, and they stick with it. They want guys who hit the field with aggressiveness and technical refinement, and it's hard to argue with the approach. Wiggins is one of the stickiest and most aggressive pass defenders in this class. Rosengarten may have slipped in the minds of some because he's a right tackle, but remember that Michael Penix Jr. is a lefty, so Rosengarten protected the blind side of a quarterback who attempted 117 passes of 20 or more air yards last season, by far the most in the NCAA. And as much as Chop Robinson shows freaky athletic potential, I preferred Adisa Issac among the Penn State edge-defenders, because Isaac can do more from more gaps.

The Ravens absolutely stole T.J. Tampa in the fourth round (how did the Buccaneers not take this guy?), and in terms of locking receivers down, that might be the sleeper pick. Tampa allowed an opponent passer rating of 54.8 last season.

So, the Ravens didn't get weird, they took their kinds of guys, and it all looks great. What else would you ever expect?