Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta indicated that he is unsure how many picks the team will have when the NFL Draft is all said and done.
The Baltimore Ravens possess the No. 14 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It is their highest pick since 2022, and that pick has worked out for them, selecting All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton.
Though it's unusual to pick this high for Baltimore, there is a chance the team could be angling to move up in the draft. General manager Eric DeCosta spoke to reporters ahead of the draft, not revealing too much of the plan, as is the case for most general managers. However, his comments were a bit surprising.
DeCosta spoke about the nearly 200 players that are currently on the board for the Ravens, and revealed the clear "drop off" that happens in the mid-first round.
"We think it's a solid draft. First round-wise, there's definitely a drop off about midway through the round, in terms of talent," DeCosta said.
The Ravens have been strangers to selecting high in the draft, and for good reason. More often than not, the Ravens have been in the thick of a Super Bowl run. This past season, that was not the case as injuries and overall underwhelming performances hurt their chances in 2025.
However, the page has now turned to 2026, where Baltimore will look to once again establish itself as juggernauts. The Ravens have a chance to do just that starting with their first-round pick.
"You never know what is going to happen at 14," DeCosta said. "You could move up, you could move back, we've done both over time. I think our scouts are excited."
Nothing is off the table for the Ravens ahead of next week's draft. The team is flexible and not locked into staying at No. 14.
"I like having 11 picks right now. We may end up with 14, we may end up with 6. It remains to be seen," DeCosta said.
The Ravens are one of the few teams that can realistically move up in the draft without gutting their draft. They have a total of 11 picks, so if DeCosta is thinking of moving up, they can package mid-round picks to climb up in the draft, especially if they love a player who is projected to go earlier in Day 1.
If the Ravens decide to move up, the move up will be for a player they love and a position they need, like offensive line or wide receiver. If there is a top-tier offensive lineman who is waiting on the wings around the 8-12 range, there is a chance Baltimore pulls the trigger. The same could be said for a wide receiver.
Above all, losing the players they did in free agency could prompt the team to be more aggressive on draft day. It could increase the Ravens' urgency to land a difference-maker, especially if it is a player in a position they desperately need.
The Ravens may have clear issues to address roster-wise, but given their track record, it is more likely they let the board come to them early. If they go that route, the Ravens have two options: one, move up slightly if a target falls into that range, or two, move back to stockpile even more picks if they baord flattens.
DeCosta is no stranger to working the draft. Given his history, the Ravens will emphasize depth and smaller, more calculated moves rather than an aggressive leap up the board.