'Just Getting Started!' Baltimore Ravens GM Eric DeCosta Ready To Build For September

The Baltimore Ravens have some work to do to get prepared for another deep playoff run.

Mar 1, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta during the NFL / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens have nine total picks over three days for the NFL Draft beginning April 25.

With those picks, general manager Eric DeCosta will need to replace valuable pieces that have departed, either through free ageny or via trade. During media availability on Tuesday, DeCosta spoke about the team's draft strategy, including their first round pick at No. 30.

Mar 1, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta during the NFL / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

"We feel that's the best way to build your team long-term," DeCosta said.

"You just hope and pray that one of those top 20 guys might be there for us at 30, so we have some additional value associated with that," DeCosta said. "If there is a player that is there that we think is too good to pass up on, we are going to take that player." 

After losing three players along the offensive line this offseason, that will be a priority for the team the rest of the offseason, including the upcoming draft. Coach John Harbaugh indicated how the team might address that this year.

"Some years you're going to lose more free agents, but you're going to pick up more compensatory picks," Harbaugh said. "Two years from now you're going to have more picks in the draft, you're going to get younger and have younger players who cost less, but you're going to have to pay the guys who turned out to be great players that you want to keep. That ongoing process is all a part of this whole big picture."

In addition to losing some big pieces, the Ravens signed the top free agent running back early in the process in Derrick Henry as well as their top in-house free agent, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike.

"I think we are really just getting started," DeCosta said. "A big part of that is certainly going to be the draft, but the destination is September, not May."