The countdown to the NFL draft is underway.
The first round begins Thursday in Kansas City, but until then, the Ravens have plenty to figure out. Most notably, their contract stalemate with star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has requested a trade while under the $32.4 million nonexclusive franchise tag. If he gets his wish, the Ravens’ draft could look a lot different.
Baltimore owns five picks: Nos. 22 (first round), 86 (third round), 124 (fourth round), 157 (fifth round) and 199 (sixth round). A blockbuster deal for Jackson would significantly increase the size of that haul, but the Ravens are guaranteed at least one additional first-rounder this year if Jackson signs an offer with another team before the draft and Baltimore declines to match it.
Ahead of the draft, The Baltimore Sun has examined which players at each position of need (quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, defensive line, edge rusher and offensive line) could be available in the early, middle and late rounds when the Ravens are on the clock.
After the Ravens traded veteran safety Chuck Clark this offseason, there are question marks at the back end of the defense. Will standout rookie Kyle Hamilton reprise his role in the slot or take more snaps as a deep safety next to Marcus Williams? Will star cornerback Marlon Humphrey play more often on the inside? Will a rookie start at outside corner? Will Brandon Stephens and Geno Stone have a role?
If adding another defensive back is a priority, here are a few possibilities:
Early: Alabama’s Brian Branch
If the Ravens are comfortable moving Hamilton to deep safety, Branch could step in and take Hamilton’s spot defending the slot.
A three-year starter at Alabama, Branch played the “star” position for coach Nick Saban, lining up primarily in the slot and in the box. He excelled in that role, finishing the 2022 season as the only Football Bowl Subdivision player with at least 90 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and two interceptions. Analysts have gushed over his instincts, range and fluid technique, making the 21-year-old by far the best safety prospect in this class and likely the only one worthy of a first-round pick.
The concern about the 6-foot, 190-pound Branch is his lack of physical tools. He tested poorly relative to his position at the NFL scouting combine, with only his broad jump (10 feet, 5 inches) and hand size (9 1/2) ranking above average among defensive backs since 1999, according to MockDraftable. He placed in the 46th percentile or worse in the 40-yard dash (4.58 seconds), vertical jump (34.5 inches), broad jump (10 feet, 5 inches) and bench press (14 reps), but analysts say those limitations didn’t often show up on the field. Branch missed just four tackles on 174 career attempts, the best rate Pro Football Focus has ever charted.
Given the Ravens’ love for Crimson Tide prospects, Branch’s versatility and his seamless fit on a team that greatly values its secondary, he’d make a lot of sense as a first-round pick.
Middle: Illinois’ Jartavius “Quan” Martin
If Branch is off the board or the Ravens go a different direction in Round 1, Martin might be the next best thing.
A five-year starter at Illinois, the 5-11, 194-pound Martin also played the “star” position for the Fighting Illini, rotating between the slot and single-high safety. He did his best work after moving to the slot as a junior, totaling 22 passes defended and four interceptions over the past two seasons. He wasn’t afraid to be physical near the line of scrimmage, either, earning a 91.0 run-defense grade last season, according to PFF.
Unlike Branch, Martin stood out with his speed and explosiveness at the combine. He ranked in the 97th percentile or better among defensive backs since 1999 with his 10-yard split (1.47 seconds), vertical jump (44 inches) and broad jump (11 feet, 1 inch), but analysts say that athleticism didn’t always show up on tape. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler noted that Martin can be a 90-10 player at times, meaning his “coverage looks great the first 90% of the play, but [Martin] loses phase late attempting to find the football and make a play.”
The Ravens’ need for a slot defender isn’t nearly as strong as their need for an outside corner, but adding a versatile, athletic defensive back like Martin in the middle of the draft would certainly help the secondary get its best players on the field.
Late: Virginia Tech’s Chamarri Conner
The Ravens took Clark in the sixth round of the 2017 draft out of Virginia Tech, and he blossomed into a reliable starter. Maybe they can have the same luck with Conner.
During his four seasons as a starter for the Hokies, the 6-foot, 202-pound Conner moved between linebacker, safety and slot cornerback. He was remarkably durable and productive during his time in Blacksburg, starting 48 straight games to finish his career and ranking 10th in school history with 314 tackles. He was also a staple on special teams.
While Conner put up good athletic testing numbers, including a superb 20 bench press reps, his lack of speed could be an issue. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds, which ranks in the 55th percentile among defensive backs since 1999. Analysts say faster receivers can take advantage of Conner when running deep routes from the slot, and he didn’t turn his head around often enough to find the ball and break up the pass. He also struggled in run support with poor angles and technique, posting an above-average 17.3% missed-tackle rate in 2022, according to PFF.
While the Ravens won’t be hoping for an immediate contributor with a late-round pick, Conner has intriguing size, versatility and experience to eventually earn a nickel role and become a valued member of the special teams.
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