Raven Country

Ravens Double Down on First-Round CB in Mock Draft

The Baltimore Ravens could select another cornerback in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Jeremy Brener

Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA;Florida State Seminoles defensive back Azareye'h Thomas (20) reacts after the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA;Florida State Seminoles defensive back Azareye'h Thomas (20) reacts after the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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The Baltimore Ravens added a cornerback in the first round of their 2024 NFL Draft class by taking Clemson star Nate Wiggins with the No. 30 overall pick.

However, the Ravens find themselves in need of drafting another cornerback on the outside, and that could lead them to selecting the same position in back-to-back first rounds.

Sportsnaut writer Matt Johnson recently conducted a mock draft where the Ravens took Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas with the No. 27 overall pick.

"Even if he wasn’t an impending free agent, the Baltimore Ravens needed to replace outside cornerback Brandon Stephens," Johnson writes.

"After all, he’s the only weakness in Baltimore’s secondary. Florida State cornerback Azareye'h Thomas stood out at the Senior Bowl, showcasing great physicality and movement at 6-foot-1. He complements Nate Wiggins nicely and would also really benefit from being mentored by Marlon Humphrey. If he lands in Baltimore, the Ravens can have a top-five defense in 2025."

The Ravens will look at replacing Stephens first in free agency because most teams don't like to draft the same position two years in a row. However, the Ravens won't let that stop them from taking the player that they want to take.

Considering the fact that Wiggins projects more as a slot cornerback and Thomas on the outside, the Ravens can justify taking both of them and eventually having both of them in the starting lineup alongside Marlon Humphrey.

That being said, the Ravens could look towards 2024 fourth-round pick T.J. Tampa to fill in Stephens' role, but Baltimore will evaluate and compare this year's cornerbacks to who it has on the roster and its options in free agency.

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is set for Thursday, April 24 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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