Year In Review: Grading Ravens 2023 Draft Class

The Baltimore Ravens have had a lot of success in drafting impact players early during NFL Drafts. 2023 was no exception leading to continued confidence that the Flock's front office will do whatever is necessary to keep the team a contender.

The 2023 rookie class has just completed their first years in the NFL. For most teams, now is the time to take notes of what worked and what didn't for their young core, and see where the organization needs to improve. 

Luckily for a team like the Baltimore Ravens, their success in drafts has been such that they didn't need to put pressure on the current rookie class in 2023. 

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That doesn't mean the group wasn't impactful. 

Today, we break down the early returns of the Flock's rookie class and where the organization can go from here as free agency gets closer to starting. 

Round 1 - Pick 22 - WR Zay Flowers

Grade: A

Flowers may not have been the best rookie wide receiver this year, but he certainly was the best out of the first-round talents. Outside of his mistakes in the AFC Championship game, Flowers showed that his game translates well to the NFL and he could end up being a star in this league. Baltimore knocked this one out of the park. 

Round 3 - Pick 86 - LB Trenton Simpson

Grade: C+

Simpson didn't put up a ton of numbers because he was playing behind All-Pros in Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen. With the latter expected in his free agency, is there a chance that Baltimore will give Simpson more opportunities in his second year? That will certainly be on the table in 2024. 

Round 4 - Pick 124 - EDGE Tavius Robinson

Grade: C

The edge rusher recorded a single sack in 2023 despite being buried on the depth chart. His development will be a big storyline this camp because the Ravens have several veteran free agents at his position who may not return. If the team is confident he can improve into his second year, this will be a great value pick. 

Round 5 - Pick 157 - CB Kyu Kelly

Grade: F

There are fifth-round picks that made an impact on the teams that drafted them this year. To have a fifth-rounder not even crack the 53-man roster isn't very good. Baltimore had a great secondary thanks to the depth in some of their free-agent signings, but they might be right back in the cornerback market if they aren't careful. 

Round 6 - Pick 199 - OT Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu

Grade: D

Similar to another offensive lineman on this list, Aumavaeu-Laulu didn't get a lot of playing time due to the depth on the overall roster. The judgment of this pick will come during the 2024 offseason. If he's fighting for a roster spot, Baltimore will have missed with this pick. 

Round 7 - Pick 229 - G Andrew Vorhees

Grade: D

Didn't see any playing time along the interior. As a seventh-round pick, that isn't too surprising for a team that had the best record in the NFL during the regular season. It'll be interesting to see if he has a roster spot next year. 

Ravens Draft: Another Wide Receiver On The Board?

Overall Grade: B-

In short, the overall grade of Baltimore will be mostly incomplete as the team tries to develop some of their young players in the middle rounds. The organization missed some late-round picks, but nailing a first-round receiver has become so important that this class will be looked on favorably no matter what.