Ravens 2026 Mock Draft: prioritizing long-term value in the trenches

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 13: Monroe Freeling #57 of the Georgia Bulldogs plays against the Tennessee Volunteers during their game at Neyland Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Over the weekend, Baltimore Beatdown’s Nikhil Mehta and Zach Canter faced off in a mock draft duel. Using Pro Football Network’s simulator, they looked at the same set of prospects for each of the Ravens’ first eight picks in next week’s draft, but built very different draft classes.

Zach prioritized the trenches with four of his first five picks, including a somewhat unorthodox first-rounder. Here are his selections and reasoning for each one, and check back tomorrow for Nikhil’s picks!

Round 1, No. 14 overall: Monroe Freeling (OT, Georgia, No. 6 on Baltimore Beatdown’s Big Board)

Freeling is one of the few bona fide left tackles in this draft class. Unlike others like Francis Mauigoa or Spencer Fano, his frame (6-foot-7 with 34.75-inch arms) presents no length concerns that would force him to the interior. Freeling will be a left tackle – the only question is how good. He has good movement skills, quick feet, fast hand punches and a solid base, but he can be displaced if rushers get to his chest. The Ravens could immediately set him at a guard spot in the 2026 season and develop him to take over for Ronnie Stanley at left tackle in the future while he builds up to NFL strength in the meantime.

I took Freeling here over a couple of options because I think he’s the best future option to take over for Stanley compared to other offensive linemen in the early rounds while also being able to contribute Year 1.  Makai Lemon was also available, but with reports about the Ravens wanting to keep Zay Flowers, I’m not sure they’ll go with a receiver in the first round.

Round 2, No. 45 overall: Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State, No. 44 on BB’s Big Board)

Johnson is a perfect second-round corner who only missing a few things that would turn him into a first-round talent. He’s a good-sized player who should be able to stay on the outside in the NFL, and he has the skillset (though not the experience) to line up in the slot. He plays with aggression around the line of scrimmage in the run game and as a blitzer, but he is still an extremely reliable, technique-sound tackler, including in the open field. Johnson is also fantastic at battling at the catch point when he goes up for the ball. His hips can be a little tight, and he sometimes struggles to get his head around, but I would trust Jesse Minter and his staff to coach him up in those areas. The same is true for his physicality in coverage – using his hands more to punch and jam – but again, that can be taught.

This was simply the best player available at this pick and I love Johnson’s fit with the Ravens. He’s a scheme-versatile player who’s perfect to rotate in with guys like Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey, Chidobe Awuzie, and the other young corners on the roster. He should be able to contribute immediately outside or in the slot while being built up to eventually be a replacement of sorts for Humphrye’s physical play when his career in Baltimore is done.

Round 3, No. 80 overall: Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech, No. 34 on BB’s Big Board)

I’m not sure how likely it is that Lee Hunter makes it down this far, but if he does, it’s a great value pick. Minter’s new defense in Baltimore might not employ a ton of heavy, two-gapping fronts, but Minter also loves to be multiple and be able to adjust and having someone like Hunter is always good. A big, hulking presence in the middle of a line, he is a size mismatch against centers and can disconstruct blocks against interior offensive linemen. He’ll need work to better take on double teams in the run game but the Ravens wont have to over-rely on him early with Travis Jones and John Jenkins on the rosters. His pass rush cabilities will be limited to winning one-on-one’s against centers and his lack of explosiveness could be the reason he skips down this far. Overall, Hunter is a solid space-sating run defender that every team needs that would be good value here.

Round 4, No. 115 overall: Trey Zuhn III (OL, Texas A&M, No. 68 on BB’s Big Board)

For Ravens fans that want Spencer Fano at 14th overall, may I introduce you to a lower-risk, Day 3 version? Zuhn was a four-year starter at left tackle who looks like he’s going to be moving inside in the NFL. Unlike Fano, he has center tape on film and would cost significantly less in draft capital, mitigating the risk of betting on a major position switch as a rookie. He could compete for the starting center job right away, and if he doesn’t get it, you have a Patrick Mekari-esque player could fit anywhere on the line with a ton of SEC experience.

I made this pick with the mindset that the Ravens love Corey Bullock. There’s been no solid talk about the Ravens spending money or a high pick on a center. I do expect the Ravens to draft a more pure center option than Zuhn or Fano, but I used Bullock as the penciled in starter for this mock, going with Freeling and Zuhn over Fano and a pure center pick later. Zuhn isn’t going to blow away Ravens fans in the run game but has massive amounts of strength (most bench press reps at the combine this year for offensive line) and a great anchor that will make him viable in the pass phase, which is good enough for me. Protecting Lamar Jackson the biggest priority for the O-line right now.

Round 5, No. 154 overall: Landon Robinson (DT, Navy, No. 87 on BB’s Big Board)

Robinson is an undersized but uber-athletic defensive tackle who played college ball at the Naval Academy, just 30 miles down the road in Annaplis. While only 5-foot-11 and under 300 pounds, he makes up for it across his game. He put up a 9.45 Relative Athletic Score, which shows up all over his film. He’s explosive and quick enough to simply sidestep guards and centers on the way to backfield while also looping and stunting with efficiency and speed. His 30 bench press reps were not performative either – he can be seen tossing around opposing linemen repeatedly on tape. Robinson is not going to take on double-teams anytime soon but he’ll have no issues winning at the NFL level. He has an effective swipe-swim moves that gets him past interior linemen quickly but he can also transition into a bull rush if another lineman tries to pick him up quickly. Outside of that, most of Robinson’s hand-fighting is effort based rather than technique but it is effective because his motor doesn’t stop and eventually speed and strength overwhelm blockers. It won’t work as much at the NFL level but he should be able to learn more with precise coaching.

This was simply me taking a player I personally really like. Robinson had a great 2025 season that caught my attention early. New Ravens safeties coach P.J. Volker was his defensive coordinator for the last three years, giving him a connection in the building. He might be too similar to last year’s sixth-round pick, Aeneas Peebles, but I think Robinson is more explosive and could contribute early in Minter’s defense.

Round 5, No. 162 overall: Caden Curry (EDGE, Ohio State, unranked)

At this pick, I was looking at couple spots: wide receiver, tight end and edge rusher. Eventually, I went with Caden Curry because I was running out of desired prospects at the position. Only a one-year starter at Ohio State, he is not going to be very impactful as a rookie. He’s an average athlete who doesn’t really have a singular trait that sets him up for immediate success outside of being generally disruptive. He is an extremely active player with a high motor that never shuts off and heavy hands that are constantly working to shed blocks, which helped him produce 16.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks last year. He can be moved up and down the line, which will fit well in Minter’s scheme, and he also has extensive experience on special teams.

Round 5, No. 173 overall: Marlin Klein (TE, Michigan, unranked)

Klein was the other player I was considering with my last pick, but he managed to last to 173 anyways. With the buzz around David Njoku still coming to Baltimore, what Baltimore needs at the tight end spot is another in-line blocker for the future with Durham Smythe only on a one-year deal.

Klein is a relatively new and inexperienced player from Germany. He started playing tight end as a senior in high school and then spent four years at Michigan, starting the last two, so there’s plenty of room to grow. As a receiver, he is a tall, fast target that has the potential to be quarterback’s friend but his inexperience shows in his route-running and finding soft spots in zone. Working with Mark Andrews and a former tight ends coach in offensive coordinator Declan Doyle should help. As a blocker, he’s a hard worker who sticks with his blocks and looks to finish. Right now he simply lacks some strength to consistently work in-line or drive linebackers but the common thinking is his frame has plenty of room to add mass in an NFL weight room.

Round 5, No. 173 overall: Jeff Caldwell (WR, Cincinnati, unranked)

The Ravens are right back on the clock, and I’m realizing I still haven’t taken a wide receiver. Part of that reasoning is because it isn’t a big priority for me. I love Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Devontez Walker as a trio. I’ve always been a big Bateman fan and think he’s likely to get closer to 2024 production than a repeat of last year’s disappoinment. And I’m ready for Walker to get a real opportunity in Year 3. I also think Baltimore will bring in one of the remaining free agents – i.e. DeAndre Hopkins, Keenan Allen, or Stefon Diggs – after the post-draft comp pick deadline.

So enter Jeff Caldwell. With a 6-foot-5 frame and a 4.31-second 40-yard dash, he brings an enticing blend of size/speed, the kind that Ravens fans constantly beg for. Despite his measurables, he is expected to be a Day 3 pick due to the lack of refinement in his game. He does not have much of a route tree and needs to improve his fluidity getting in and out of his breaks. He also lacks play strength against physical corners in press and at the catch point. But Caldwell only has one season of Division I ball under his belt, so he has plenty of room to grow with the proper coaching. The Ravens simply need to add some play strength and teach Caldwell how to get the most out of his frame, and they could finally have their own jump ball specialist.