Three best fits for Ravens in first round of 2024 NFL Draft

The Baltimore Ravens hold the 30th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is set to begin on April 25.

The Ravens are hoping to contend for a Super Bowl once again in 2024 after falling short in the AFC Championship last season. However, Baltimore lost several key players in free agency including starting guards John Simpson (Jets) and Kevin Zeitler (Lions), defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (Panthers), linebacker Patrick Queen (Steelers) and safety Geno Stone (Bengals).

With that in mind, here are three prospects who would be ideal selections for the Ravens in the first round.

Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma offensive tackle

Baltimore traded right tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets on top of its losses of Simpson and Zeitler. That means the team will have three new starters on its offensive line in 2024.

The Ravens may opt to turn to Daniel Faalele, a fourth-round pick in 2022, or Patrick Mekari, an undrafted free agent in 2019. If not, however, adding the 6-foot-7, 327-pound offensive tackle out of Oklahoma would be a smart move.

Guyton still needs to become a more refined player but allowed just two sacks during his collegiate career, per Pro Football Focus.

Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama cornerback

It also wouldn't be a bad idea for Baltimore to add to its secondary, which is quite thin outside of three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey. The group watched several players suffer injuries last season as well.

Taking a chance on McKinstry may not be the ideal scenario since he has some medical concerns of his own after not working out at the NFL Scouting Combine once doctors found a Jones fracture in his right foot during his medical evaluation. 

That noted, the Alabama product is expected to be 100% before training camp and has been highly productive with 93 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and 23 passes defensed from 2021-23.

Adonai Mitchell, Texas wide receiver

The Ravens haven't had the best track record of drafting wide receivers in the first round, but they hit a home run last year with Zay Flowers. So, why not try to bolster QB Lamar Jackson's arsenal again?

Mitchell's draft stock has been rising since his impressive NFL Scouting Combine performance, which was highlighted by his 4.34-second 40-yard dash.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound wide receiver could be the perfect complement to Flowers with his ability to take the top off the defense. He proved he could do exactly that in 2023, posting 55 receptions for 845 yards (15.4 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns.