Should the Ravens pick for need or value with first round selection

The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2026 NFL Draft facing a familiar question: should Eric DeCosta -- one of the best GMs in the business -- draft for need or stick to their long-standing philosophy of selecting the best player available?

Under general manager Eric DeCosta, the Ravens have consistently leaned on a 'BPA' mentality established by Ozzie Newsome. Baltimore has the No. 14 overall pick in April's draft, and the Ravens have only picked higher than 14th once in the past 20 years. Back in 2022, Baltimore landed Kyle Hamilton after the now All-Pro safety and Notre Dame All-American slid out of the top 20. Baltimore has several needs (WR, OL, Edge, DL), but could feel comfortable with the "drafting the best player" approach that the organization has become synonymous with. Newsome was always steadfast in his "BPA" approach, allowing Baltimore to annually stockpile a deep, talented roster of players with high ceilings who can blend in and offer versatility at key positions. According to the Russell Street Report, the Ravens use a numerical system to evaluate prospects, placing them into tiers that separate elite players from Pro Bowl players, first-year starters, second-year starters, developmental starters, backups, and practice squad caliber.

That philosophy has been a cornerstone of the franchise's sustained success—but like every year, the context adds nuance.

Based on the methodology, positional need usually serves as the tiebreaker when the Ravens are split on multiple players.

Recent examples

In 2025, Baltimore took Georgia's Malaki Starks over South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori, who ended up as a starter on the Super Bowl champion Seahawks. With a clear need at the safety position, Baltimore took Starks over Emmanwori, Jihaad Campbell (31), and Carson Schwesinger (33) among productive rookies selected.

In 2024, Baltimore went with Nate Wigigns with the 30th pick, bypassing star players like Cooper DeJean (40) and Kamari Lassiter (42).

In 2023, Baltimore went with the need and selected two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers at No. 22 overall, two picks behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba (20). In 2022, it was Tyler Linderbaum.