The Baltimore Ravens remain one of the more interesting teams in the 2024 NFL Draft, as there is some genuine uncertainty over which position Eric DeCosta will prioritize. After losing multiple starters on both sides of the ball in free agency, the door is truly wide open for Baltimore.
Two of the more popular directions for the Ravens are offensive tackle, as Ronnie Stanley is getting older and Morgan Moses is now with the Jets, and wide receiver, as Rashod Bateman is an uninspiring WR2. Mel Kiper Jr, however, has them going in a different direction in the first two rounds.
In Kiper’s most recent mock draft (subscription required), Baltimore is using the No. 30 overall pick on Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. While teammate Terrion Arnold passed him on all the big boards, McKinstry profiles as a strong starter as an outside cornerback in the pros.
After losing John Simpson to the Jets and Kevin Zeitler to the Lions, Kiper believes the Ravens will use a second-round pick on Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe. After a dominant college career, Beebe is one of the few second-rounders who could immediately become a starter for a run-heavy team.
Baltimore Ravens select Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cooper Beebe in NFL Mock Draft
The oft-injured McKinstry has fallen down draft boards after not having the Jim Thorpe Award-winning season some expected, but he has still only allowed one touchdown over the last two seasons at Alabama. His tremendous man coverage skills and premium lateral athletic ability are obvious to all.
Marlon Humphrey is a solid top cornerback, but his injury history could make him somewhat unreliable as the lone stud in the room. More depth is needed, and McKinstry could eventually succeed Humphrey as the team’s No. 1 option if age or attrition starts to get to him.
Beebe didn’t allow a sack during his final season with the Wildcats, and his Combine performance helped alleviate some concerns about his limited athletic ability. What was never in doubt, however, is the fact that he is one of the strongest players in the draft at any offensive line position. This should translate well to the pros.
The current starters at guard for the Ravens are Andrew Vorhees, who will soon turn 25 and has a whopping zero career NFL snaps, and Ben Cleveland, who has been a backup for the last three seasons. With Derrick Henry in town, Baltimore needs a strong offensive line to open up holes.