The Ravens will miss out on the top talent in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft since they are not expected to make their first pick until pick No. 30, unless they move up.
According to NFL.com’s Dan Parr, this might force Baltimore to reach for a player who is unlikely to be available when it picks in the second round (No. 62).
Parr’s newest mock draft sees the Ravens taking Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil.
“Surprise! Yes, I understand that this is higher than most expect Sainristil to go. Do the Ravens care? “Heck no,” Parr writes. “They’ve chosen a Michigan player in three of the previous four selections, and you know Jim Harbaugh has already provided a good evaluation of his brother when it comes to the nickel corner’s abilities.”
It would come as a surprise if Sainristil were to sneak into the first round of the draft, but it’s becoming a plausible scenario given his four-year tenure under head coach John Harbaugh’s brother at Michigan.
Baltimore Ravens’ general manager Eric DeCosta expressed interest in adding a skilled cornerback during the draft, though fans might not expect that player to be a nickel corner. However, considering the injuries suffered by key players in the Ravens’ secondary last season, they may be open to any defensive reinforcements they can acquire.
Opting for a slot corner with a first-round pick may not be the preferred strategy, especially with the recent re-signing of nickel corner Arthur Maulet to a two-year contract. Nonetheless, given Maulet’s advancing age (he turns 31 this summer), Sainristil could eventually step into his role.
Despite primarily playing in the slot, Sainristil is still regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects in the draft class. While the Ravens are in need of an outside cornerback to complement Marlon Humphrey, the prospect of drafting someone with experience in the Harbaugh coaching lineage holds its appeal.
Sainristil currently sits as the fifth-best cornerback and 34th overall prospect on Pro Football Focus’ big board, having amassed impressive statistics over the past two seasons: 102 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, seven interceptions, and 13 passes defensed.
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