DeCosta: Ravens Could Draft QB Depending on How Board Falls
Expert Analysis 4/5/23
The Baltimore Ravens aren't ruling out drafting a quarterback in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In a news conference on Wednesday, general manager Eric DeCosta said the Ravens would consider drafting a quarterback if one was the top player on their board.
"Depends on the board, really does," DeCosta said when asked if drafting quarterback was under consideration. "I would have to say yes because we have quarterbacks in our top 31. So just based on that alone — simple math — I would have to say yes."
The Ravens have not resolved their contract situation with Lamar Jackson this offseason, leaving their quarterback situation uncertain. They placed the non-exclusive tag on Jackson, allowing him to negotiate with other teams. However, no team has stepped up as a contender for Jackson. If the former MVP and the Ravens don't agree on a long-term deal by July 15, Jackson will make $32.4 million in 2023.
Jackson publically requested a trade from the Ravens on March 27, likely hoping to jump-start his market. To facilitate any trade, Jackson would have to sign the non-exclusive franchise tag. Doing so would allow a team to acquire him for less than two first-round picks.
Although DeCosta commented on Baltimore's quarterback situation at large, he refused to take questions about Jackson's contract situation on Tuesday.
>> DEBATE:Â How Will Ravens-Jackson Stalemate End?Â
With no end to the stalemate in sight, it seems the Ravens are doing their due diligence on the 2023 quarterback class. In fact, DeCosta appears to like this year's group of passers.
"I don't want to insult anybody in the draft, but I would say there's probably more than four guys that can be significant quarterbacks in this league in this draft class," DeCosta said.
The 33rd Team's top-rated quarterbacks are Will Levis (scouting report), Bryce Young (scouting report), C.J. Stroud (scouting report), Anthony Richardson (scouting report) and Hendon Hooker (scouting report). The Ravens were one of six teams to meet with Richardson following his pro day last week.