Ravens general manager reveals position team hopes to select in NFL Draft

The best way to add a sure-talented corner is in the first round. So, it would be smart for the Ravens to do just that, especially given their recent injury history.

Baltimore's secondary is quite thin outside of three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey, and the group watched several players suffer injuries last season.

"I think our depth has always been tested in the secondary. This year was no exception ... If we have a chance to draft a corner this year, you can count on us doing that," DeCosta added.

A couple of projected late-first-round corners to watch are Clemson's Nate Wiggins and Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Wiggins should be able to keep up with any wide receiver after showcasing his 4.28-second 40-yard dash speed at the NFL Scouting Combine. He posted 58 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and 17 passes defended the past two years.

McKinstry didn't work out at the Combine after doctors found a Jones fracture in his right foot during his medical evaluation. However, he is expected to be 100% before training camp and has been highly productive with 93 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and 23 passes defended from 2021-23.

Only time will tell if either player will still be available when the Ravens make their first pick, but DeCosta added that the team will still take a best-player-available approach.

"If there's a player that's there that we think is too good to pass up on, we're going to take that player ... But all things being equal, we're going to draft the best available player when we're on the clock," DeCosta said.