### **Three Prospects Who Don't Play Positions of Need the Ravens Could Consider Taking in First Round**
The Ravens generally have a best-player-available approach to the draft, but as General Manager Eric DeCosta said earlier this week, "there's a nuance there."
For example, DeCosta said he probably wouldn't take a quarterback or safety with the 14th-overall pick if one happened to be the highest-ranked player on the Ravens' big board.
The consensus is that the Ravens' top needs (in no particular order) are the offensive and defensive lines, wide receiver, edge rusher, and cornerback. [The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7073212/2026/02/27/baltimore-ravens-2026-big-board/) explored the Ravens' options at No. 14 for each of those positions, but he also identified players at other positions – excluding quarterback and safety – who could be under consideration if they're available when Baltimore is on the clock.
Here's a look at the three prospects Zrebiec mentioned that fall into the latter category, along with their ranking on The Athletic's draft analyst Dane Brugler's big board:
_Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (No. 3)_
"It's hard to imagine that if Love is still available at 14, he wouldn't be close to the highest player on the Ravens' board. He's widely considered a top-five player in this class. Yes, the Ravens still have Derrick Henry, but he's 32 and his salary-cap number rises significantly next year. Keaton Mitchell is a restricted free agent this offseason, and Justice Hill has been mentioned as a potential salary-cap cut, so the Ravens do have some uncertainty at running back. Adding an elite talent like Love would nullify that."
_Sonny Styles, ILB, Ohio State (No. 5)_
"Styles would also be the quintessential best-player-available pick for the Ravens. They've never hesitated to use assets to fill the inside linebacker position, and Styles roaming the middle of the field with Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton would immediately raise the floor for a defense that struggled last season."
_Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (No. 20)_
"Sadiq is the top tight end in the draft. No. 14 would probably be a bit early for him, but Baltimore could have a huge need at the position if both Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar leave in free agency."