Here is the Baltimore Ravens’ 2023 draft class, the 28th in franchise history, consisting of three offensive players and three on defense. It is the franchise’s second-smallest draft class; four players were taken in the 1999 draft, including starters Chris McAlister, Edwin Mulitalo, and Brandon Stokley.
The selections bring the current roster’s total to 68, leaving room for a whopping 23 undrafted free agents, but that number could decrease if any veteran free agents are added. After the final cut date, August 29, practice squads can be formed. Over 28 years of drafts, the franchise has now drafted 236 players from 104 different schools, with Stanford, Boston College, and Clemson getting their first Ravens draftees this year. There have been 126 offensive players taken and 106 on defense, along with three punters – one of them taken last year – and a long snapper.
With the acquisition of Zay Flowers, the number of Ravens-drafted receivers increased to 34, more than any other position. Outside linebacker/defensive end hybrids make up the second-most, with 27. There have been 22 cornerbacks, 21 linebackers, and 21 guards taken by Baltimore.
For the fourth consecutive draft, the Ravens drafted no players from Oklahoma, but after a two-year drought, they did last year take a player from Alabama. That gives the Crimson Tide a 12-11 lead over the Sooners as far as Raven-drafted players in the 28-year history of the Baltimore franchise. Notre Dame is still in third place, with nine.
ZAY FLOWERS (First round, 22nd overall selection)
Height/Weight: 5-foot-9 1/4, 182 pounds
School: Boston College
Position: Wide receiver
Strengths: Fast off the line of scrimmage, can play outside or inside, will fight for balls in mid-air despite a lack of size, good top-end speed after the catch, a la Tyreek Hill, good field vision
Weaknesses: Short arms and small hands, needs more salesmanship on his routes, prone to drops
Quotable: “Slot target who plays with unbridled energy and immense confidence. Flowers is slightly built but can side-step press and fly into action with above-average acceleration and an attacking demeanor.” – NFL.com draft preview
TRENTON SIMPSON (Third round, 86th overall selection)
Height/Weight: 6-foot-2. 235 pounds
School: Clemson
Position: Inside linebacker
Strengths: Can play three downs and line up either inside or on the edge, fast with good natural bend and can read and react very well
Weaknesses: Needs better angles to the ball, base is too light, below-average feet, sometimes gets confused in coverage
Quotable: “He meant a lot to Clemson with his versatility and speed. He was great in the interviews; he’s a good kid.” – Mel Kiper, Jr., ESPN
TAVIUS ROBINSON (Fourth round, 124th overall selection)
Height/Weight: 6-foot-6, 257 pounds
School: Mississippi
Position: Defensive end/outside linebacker
Strengths: Wiry frame that can only get bigger, has good hands and a variety of pass-rush moves, very good lateral quickness and agility
Weaknesses: Not much upper-body strength, can get locked up by a bigger tackle, upfield burst is average at best
Quotable: “Ascending, even-front defensive end prospect with outstanding traits and projectable upside. Robinson plays with good aggression and heavy hands as both a run defender and pass rusher. He has the agility and foot quickness to beat blockers whether chasing the run or rushing the passer.” – NFL.com draft preview
KYU BLUE KELLY (Fifth round, 157th overall selection)
Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 191 pounds
School: Stanford
Position: Cornerback
Strengths: Can stay square to the receiver, jams well at the line of scrimmage, and can cover in phase well, four-year starter whose father played 11 seasons in the league
Weaknesses: Doesn’t find the ball well in coverage, not much closing speed or makeup speed, not very physical
Quotable: “Kelly has electric foot quickness to gather, redirect and match route runners.” – Dane Brugler, The Athletic
https://youtu.be/ytieHvUhsb4
MALAESALA AUMAVAE-LAULU (Sixth round, 199th overall selection)
Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 317 pounds
School: Oregon
Position: Guard/tackle
Strengths: Can play right tackle, but likely to be moved to guard, wide frame, big wingspan with big hands, powerful upper body, can envelop rushers
Weaknesses: Leads too much with helmet, sloppy hand placement, slow to take hand-punch initiative
Quotable: “His odds of roster success will be much higher at the guard position, where he has enough athletic ability and power to potentially fit a wide variety of run schemes while creating better matchups for him in protection.” – NFL.com draft preview
ANDREW VOORHEES (Seventh round, 229th overall selection)
Height/Weight: 6-foot-6, 310 pounds
School: Southern California
Position: Guard
Strengths: Steps well into run blocks, consistent with hands, can react quickly to moving fronts, very strong with 38 bench-press reps at combine
Weaknesses: ACL injury at the combine, but Ravens took David Ojabo off an injury as well, allows pocket push and needs to slide feet better
Quotable: “Guard prospect with five years starting experience that shows with consistency and footwork.” – NFL.com draft preview
