Eric DeCosta Eyeing 2023 NFL Draft with Ravens Fewest Picks Since 1999
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens' general manager Eric DeCosta traditionally likes to stock draft picks.
Baltimore, as an organization, has been known to value its selections since Ozzie Newsome ran the franchise.
The strategy has been most effective and allows the Ravens to strike a balance between remaining competitive each season and building for the future.
However, DeCosta finds himself in the unfamiliar territory of having just five picks in the 2023 NFL draft.
Look for the Ravens to stock more picks before they make a selection on April 27.
DeCosta put on his best poker face the last time he met with the media, claiming the Ravens are comfortable going into the draft with their fewest number of selections since 1999 when the team was able to grab players capable of making an immediate impact with just four picks.
“Every draft is different," DeCosta said. "Ultimately, we’d love to have more picks; I think most years we do. Sometimes what we find is if you have too many picks over a three or four-year span, it’s hard for all those guys to make the team and contribute. I go back to, there was a draft many years ago where I think Ozzie had four picks. [It was] one of our best Drafts. [In 1999], I think we took [Chris] McAlister, Brandon Stokley, Edwin Mulitalo and there was one other guy [Anthony Poindexter].
“It was a hell of a Draft; it was a hell of a Draft; every single guy contributed right away. My goal, my mentality is to take every one of those picks this year and nail every single one of those picks.”
The Ravens' second-round and fifth-round picks were traded to the Chicago Bears in exchange for linebacker Roquan Smith, who later signed a five-year, $100 million extension. A seventh-round pick went to the New York Giants as part of the deal for guard Ben Bredeson in 2021.
As a result, the Ravens' draft currently looks like this:
- Round 1, Pick 22
- Round 3, Pick 86
- Round 4, Pick 124
- Round 5, Pick 150
- Round 6, Pick 199
If the Ravens do decide to trade quarterback Lamar Jackson, they could receive a windfall of picks.
Either way, look for DeCosta to do some maneuvering before he makes any selection.
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