Well, that was short-lived. After agreeing to an unofficial trade with Las Vegas involving Maxx Crosby being sent to Baltimore and the Raiders receiving two first-round picks in return, the Ravens pulled the rug after the star edge rusher reportedly failed his physical. Baltimore fans' frustrations were quickly tempered, though, as the organization was quick to work a deal with Trey Hendrickson to help patch their defensive line.

So, in summary, to catch you up ...

• Raiders retain Maxx Crosby
• Ravens keep pick 1.14
• Ravens sign Trey Hendrickson

After recouping their draft pick, the Ravens turn their sights towards the NFL Draft to help patch up their other team needs. With Hendrickson expected to give their defensive line a boost in production, the Ravens can target their other weaknesses to help turn back into a well-rounded contender poised to make a run at the Super Bowl.

Below is a list of prospects whom I believe the Ravens should target with their first-round pick (1.14) in the NFL Draft.

By using a "wisdom of the crowd" approach to help solidify my beliefs, I have built a range for where each player should be drafted. Betting markets are also heavily weighed in, especially as we get closer to the start of the draft.

2026 NFL Draft Targets for the Ravens First-Round Pick

OG Olaivavega Ioane - Penn State

While the Ravens defense plummeted after Nnamdi Madubuike suffered an injury, their offensive line was just as much to blame for their regression, finishing with a Pass Set Grade of 63 or lower at every position per PFF. Their struggles in the interior made it easier for opposing defensive lines to collapse their pocket, resulting in a top-10 finish in Total Sack EPA Lost.

Enter Olaiavega Ioane, a guard from Penn State who has skyrocketed up the draft boards since the start of the offseason. Fantasy Life’s Gene Clemons No. 1 offensive lineman, Ioane has serious top-10 potential, possessing an elite blend of raw power and technique, which makes him a boulder in the trenches.

With his position handicapping his range in the draft, the Ravens would be thrilled to see him available at 1.14, giving them security in the middle to help reduce the amount of Havoc in their backfield.

TE Kenyon Sadiq - Oregon

Like Ioane, Kenyon Sadiq has also recently catapulted up the draft boards after putting together a monster performance at the combine. His freak athleticism was on full display, breaking the 40-yard dash record at the position with a 4.39 while comfortably leading the group in our Rookie Super Model.

While the tight end position is not an immediate need for the Ravens with Mark Andrews fresh off a contract extension, selecting Sadiq would give them more versatility. Whether in the form of 2TE sets or sending Sadiq to the outside, his presence would help pull defensive attention away from their other pass catchers, freeing up more space for Zay Flowers and Andrews to exploit.

DT Peter Woods - Clemson

Even though I was hesitant about why the Raiders should select Peter Woods at 1.14, the Ravens using their pick on him would make much more sense, as he would be surrounded by a pair of edge rushers who would help stretch out the trenches. With more space in the interior, this would help mask Woods' struggles in one-on-one scenarios, increasing the likelihood of him beating his assignment to help generate pressure in the middle.

The Case For The Ravens Trading Back In Round 1 Of The NFL Draft

The Ravens may also toy with the idea of trading their pick, falling into the back half of the first round while securing some more draft capital in the process. Especially with their current range littered by players who do not fit any positions of need, including cornerback Mansoor Delane (EDP 10.9) and safety Dillon Thieneman (14.2).

I am also still against using their 1.14 pick on this year’s group of wide receivers, as all of them possess too many red flags to justify selecting them early in the first round. If the Ravens decide to punt on the position in free agency, they can mitigate the loss of production by selecting one in the later rounds, as the skill gap between the top of the class and the lower-tier receivers is as narrow as ever.

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