Key takeaways from the Baltimore Ravens pre-NFL draft media session

[ASFN Admin]

We're officially over a week from the 2026 NFL draft, and Ravens GM Eric Decosta held his annual State of the Process address on Wednesday. DeCosta talked about roster building, the draft board, and how the organization will approach restocking and retooling a defense that suffered significant departures.

With the Raiders on the clock and the draft just nine days away, here are takeaways from the predraft press conference.

Spencer Fano could be the guy​

We've mocked Vega Ioane to Baltimore for months, but DeCosta sounds primed to snag Utah right tackle Spencer Fano and insert him at offensive guard. The Ravens GM confirmed a belief that Fano could make the switch to the interior.

DeCosta said that he feels Utah OT Spencer Fano can play anywhere along the OL.
He said Vega Ioane is "straight out of central casting in terms of what you want your guards to look like."

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) April 15, 2026

Eric DeCosta on positional depth​

"We have just under 200 players that we have ranked as draftable players."

GM Eric DeCosta on his view of this Draft class: pic.twitter.com/04aIYyDX0k

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 15, 2026

Baltimore has needs at tight end, offensive guard, center, wide receiver, and edge rusher. DeCosta highlighted the depth in this draft and stated he's comfortable Baltimore can fill all of their needs.

"The positions we need we feel really strongly we can address in the Draft." pic.twitter.com/SrgLTfywOl

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 15, 2026

Ravens could double dip at tight end​

Eric DeCosta said there's a "strong chance" the Ravens add multiple tight ends in the draft.

They have only Mark Andrews and Durham Smythe under contract.

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) April 15, 2026

Baltimore lost Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in Free agency, and while Mark Andrews will return, the Ravens will address this deep position.

DeCosta: "The positions that we need, we feel really strongly about in this draft."
He said tight ends, in particular, has guys all over the draft.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) April 15, 2026

DeCosta on roster strength​

Baltimore has elite talent at key positions, but there are holes, and DeCosta highlighted wanting to be strong from top to bottom.

"I want to be strong everywhere." pic.twitter.com/Igt15lgYNm

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 15, 2026

DeCosta on NIL​

Thanks to NIL, college players are returning to school and receiving hefty paydays for their services. On the downside, those players enter the NFL banged up and having played hundreds more snaps.

DeCosta said NIL landscape has changed landscape and its “problematic” for them. Players are 14% older, less upside, more injuries. Acknowledged something they haven’t gotten handle on it yet. Added that it also means less small school guys.

— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) April 15, 2026

DeCosta on Nnamdi Madubuike​

The Pro Bowl defensive tackle has been working out with the team, but there's still no idea if and when he'll be available for football activity. On Wednesday, DeCosta stated that Madubuike's status or lack thereof won't dictate Baltimore's draft strategy.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said Nnamdi Madubuike's uncertain status doesn't impact the team's draft-day decision making. Madubuike suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 2.

DeCosta mentioned that adding a young defensive lineman would be "ideal."

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 15, 2026

Jesse Minter at his first NFL Draft​

The famed defensive playcaller will take part in his first draft weekend as a Heald coach, and Minter reflected on the three-day weekend.

Jesse Minter on his first Draft as head coach: pic.twitter.com/6lhTr6PLq5

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 15, 2026

DeCosta on 11 picks​

The Ravens have 11 picks for the second year in a row, but it's unclear whether they'll use all 11, as they did in 2025.

"I like having 11 picks right now, that's just a starting point." pic.twitter.com/tlBLgntmcC

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 15, 2026

DeCosta on Raven potentially trading up​

Baltimore has the 14th pick but sits outside the sweet spot for elite, top-ten talent. DeCosta focused on the Ravens having guys with similar grades and only trading up if the player they covet is still on the board.

EDC on potential for trading up: pic.twitter.com/Vh8vYe2FRh

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 15, 2026

Building around Lamar Jackson​

Whether it's an offensive guard, wide receiver, or tight end, it appears that Baltimore will go offense in Round 1 with the No. 14 pick.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said team is “well positioned” to get a prospect who can help Lamar Jackson.

With the 14th overall pick, he pointed out that the Ravens haven’t picked this high very often and called it a “sweet spot” to add an impact player. pic.twitter.com/swpxlyRbp3

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 15, 2026

Eric DeCosta on Vega Ioane​

DeCosta said Penn State's Vega Ioane looks like he's "straight out of central casting" for a guard. Pick 14 could come down to Ioane, Spencer Fano, or Jordyn Tyson.

Eric DeCosta said Penn State's Vega Ioane looks like he's "straight out of central casting" for a guard. pic.twitter.com/IVLcvD76rf

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) April 15, 2026

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens' GM Eric DeCosta met with the media ahead of the NFL Draft

Continue reading...