With the 2026 NFL draft approaching, the Ravens face a pivotal decision at No. 14, where a sudden drop in Mansoor Delane’s stock could force General Manager Eric DeCosta to choose between addressing an immediate secondary need or trading down for additional assets.
Delane, the LSU cornerback projected as a top-10 pick, has begun to slip in mock drafts as teams prioritize offensive linemen and edge rushers early, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. If he falls to Baltimore’s pick, the Ravens would likely pounce, given Humphrey turns 31 in July and Awuzie enters free agency next year, leaving the secondary thin despite recent investments in Hamilton, Starks, and Hawkins. The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec noted the Ravens have used a first-round pick on a defensive back in three of the last four years, suggesting a pattern DeCosta may struggle to break even if the need isn’t urgent.
Yet DeCosta’s flexibility remains the Ravens’ greatest lever. With 11 draft picks entering the night — a figure he called “a starting point” that could swell to 14 or shrink to six based on board value — he has repeatedly emphasized his willingness to move up or down depending on how premium talent cascades. “If premium players at premium positions of need creep down close to No. 14, the Ravens could move up,” the team’s official preview stated, adding that Baltimore’s phone “could be ringing” as teams seek to trade into or out of the top 15.
This tension between opportunity and strategy echoes 2023, when Baltimore traded down from No. 17 to acquire extra picks after highly rated prospects fell unexpectedly, ultimately selecting Trenton Simpson and later benefiting from the added depth. The current scenario presents a similar inflection point: Delane’s potential availability tests whether the Ravens will adhere to their recent history of drafting defensive backs early or deviate to maximize draft capital.
Meanwhile, Baltimore Sun staff projections remain unpublished due to copyright restrictions, limiting insight into internal leanings beyond what’s been shared by external analysts. What is clear is that the Ravens enter Thursday with uncommon flexibility: the ability to secure a blue-chip cornerback if he slips, or to trade down and accumulate picks should the board unfold unpredictably. The outcome will hinge not just on Delane’s fall, but on how DeCosta weighs a rare chance to upgrade a position of growing concern against his proven preference for stockpiling assets.
Could the Ravens trade up if Delane falls past No. 14?
Yes, if Delane slips past Baltimore’s pick and another team selects him, the Ravens could still move up later in the first round if they believe a comparable cornerback or edge rusher remains available and worth the cost.
Why isn’t cornerback listed as a top need despite Humphrey’s age?
Because Baltimore has invested heavily in the secondary recently — including Hamilton, Starks, and Hawkins — leading analysts to view the position as stable in the short term, even if long-term questions remain.
What happened the last time the Ravens traded down in the first round?
In 2023, Baltimore traded down from No. 17 to acquire additional picks, selecting Trenton Simpson with the obtained second-rounder and using the extra capital to bolster depth across the roster.
