All of the attention is paid to the first round of the NFL Draft, but the core of most teams is created through the rounds that follow. Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has to find a way to bolster the roster in hopes of securing the third Super Bowl trophy for the city. The Ravens have plenty of team needs.
Here are the Ravens’ 2023 picks, as it stands now:
Round 1 – No. 22
Round 3 – No. 86
Round 4 – No. 124
Round 5 – No. 157
Round 6 – No. 199
There’s always a possibility that the Ravens can add additional picks. The team hinted at doing so during their pre-draft press conference.
“I think we’ve done that nine times in the last four years. I think the chances for us to be able to do it are pretty decent,” DeCosta said.
“Sometimes, you get lucky in that there’s a guy who you might really want, you make the tough decision to trade back and you can still get him. It happens more than you think; not all the time though, of course. So, we have to look at that. We have to look at the capital that we can get by trading back, and we’ll make the best decision that we can.”
Since Baltimore currently has five remaining picks, let’s take a look at five options for them in rounds two through seven with analysis provided by NFL.com.
Matthew Bergeron | OL | Syracuse
A college tackle who could be best playing inside at guard, Bergeron is evenly proportioned and wears his weight well on a compact frame. He’s a dynamic run blocker and able to excel in all three phases (positioning, sustain and finish). He’s just as capable of climbing and tagging second-level linebackers as he is at opening run lanes at the point of attack with leg drive. He’s athletic enough to play tackle, but inconsistent anchor and hand placement could cause concern for evaluators. While his protection issues are potentially correctable, Bergeron’s scheme-versatile, Pro Bowl-caliber run-blocking potential might hasten a team’s decision to move him inside.
Derrick Hall | EDGE | Auburn
Explosive and long, Hall plays with a rugged demeanor and puts his traits to work as an assertive power rusher capable of putting offensive tackles in reverse. He tends to lack consistency when forced to read and react in the run game and his rush approach is predictable with charges down the fairway. However, his jolting initial contact can help him gain positioning and he’s excellent at transitioning from bulldozer to pocket vulture as a sack artist. He is average against the run, exploitable in coverage and in need of a more diversified rush approach, but a true power rush usually translates in the NFL.
Zach Charbonnet | RB | UCLA
Upright runner with outstanding body composition and consecutive seasons of impressive production for the Bruins. Charbonnet is a bit of a long-strider with slightly below average foot quickness. He is much more effective when allowed to open up and build downhill momentum. He can slip tackles in the open field but lacks the first-level wiggle to get too cute. He’s inconsistent in processing defensive fronts quickly but can be a hammer into and through contact when he has a clear point of entry. Charbonnet is a talented third-down option as both a blocker and pass-catcher. He could be viewed as a Day 2 value with three-down potential.
Dorian Williams | LB | Tulane
Team captain with athletic, tapered build and eye-catching production. Williams looks and moves more like a big box safety with his bursts to the football and open-field fluidity. Lacking the size and strength to match up with NFL take-on duties near the line, Williams needs to become more adept at slipping blocks and staying a step ahead of the blocking scheme. His coverage potential and special teams background will give his roster quest a boost as a likely Day 3 selection looking to fit into a backup role as a Will linebacker.
Jordan Battle | DB | Alabama
Battle offers the size, speed and pedigree to become a starter early in his NFL career. Film study shows a certain sageness to his game. He is usually where he needs to be on the field and helps his defense move on to the next play. He’s athletic enough for man coverage and is field-aware as a split safety. He’s not a thumper in run support and will miss tackles when he’s slow to find his positioning, but he typically finishes plays that are in front of him. Battle has the physical and mental makeup to upgrade a defense in need of steady safety play.