Baltimore Beatdown has released our initial rankings for the top 101 players in the 2026 draft class (1-51, 52-101) and some clear themes emerged. Here are the top takeaways from the defenders on our big board:
The EDGE class is deep but top-heavy.
Of our top 5 prospects, three are edge rushers. That number grows to six inside our top 16. In our top 50, we have thirteen. You could even in Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles (No. 10), who has prototypical measurements for the position. Are you getting the picture?
The depth thins out in the second half of the top 100, with only one true edge rusher plus Michigan hybrid linebacker Jaishawn Barham (No. 69) and Alabama defensive lineman L.T. Overton (No. 90). That should make the position a priority for one of Baltimore’s first two picks.
A cornerback could be the best player available in Round 2.
I’m calling it Cornerback Alley. The position takes up five spots from 35 to 45 on our big board with the following players:
The Ravens have a solid cornerback room as-is, but only one starter is under contract after this season. Eric DeCosta has always prioritized the position, too. It is very easy to imagine a big board at the 45th pick with a corner as the best player available.
Don’t rule out a Day 2 linebacker pick.
Another position DeCosta prioritizes, for better and worse, is linebacker. Inverse to edge rusher – and appropriately for positional value – the depth is concentrated on Day 2. We have six linebackers ranked between 55 and 64 on our list, making the No. 45 pick a bit too early for them – and the position in general.
But later on Day 2, the Ravens could be in a BPA quandary. There is some need here, too; Roquan Smith needs a new running mate and potential successor with Teddye Buchanan recovering from a torn ACL. Even just waiting until their third-round pick – where three more linebackers will merit consideration – may offer a prospect who is too enticing to turn down, regardless of positional value.