Press Box

● By Joe Serpico
The Baltimore Ravens have an abundance of needs entering the 2023 NFL Draft, but they will have to restock the talent pool with just five picks, compared to 11 picks total and six in the fourth round alone last year. Baltimore does have good reason for missing a couple of those picks, as as the Ravens do not have their second-round selection (No. 56) following the midseason trade for linebacker Roquan Smith. He was well worth the lost draft pick, as Smith was a perfect fit in the Ravens’ defense. The organization rewarded him with a hefty new contract that will keep him in purple and black for the foreseeable future. Baltimore sent their fifth-round pick to the Chicago Bears in the trade for Smith as well. They also do not own their seventh-round choice as part of a trade package in the 2022 draft. The Ravens do own the Patriots’ fifth-round selection from the Shawn Wade trade a couple years ago.