Eric DeCosta is headed into his eighth draft as the Ravens’ general manager with a clear mandate to restock the roster for a Super Bowl run in 2026. He has hit on most of his first-round picks and also found some major contributors on Day 2. But, like many GMs, his Day 3 picks have resulted in a mixed bag. A few emerged as starters, several became solid role players, and many were out of Baltimore as quickly as they entered.
Today, let’s focus on the hidden gems that DeCosta has unearthed in his seven
previous drafts: who was his best Day 3 pick as Ravens GM?
Nikhil’s take: 2022 fourth-rounder Isaiah Likely is the obvious answer here, which is why I’m going in a different direction with 2019 seventh-rounder Geno Stone. He took a few years to find his footing in Baltimore, but he carved out a third-safety in 2022 before taking over as the primary free safety in 2023. Stone thrived in that role, locking down the deep areas of the field with a knack for selling disguised coverages and making plays on the ball. Not only did his seven interceptions rank second in the league, they were the most of any Raven in a single season since Ed Reed in 2008. Though Stone has not been as good in Cincinnati, his departure exposed the Ravens’ need for a more reliable deep safety in the last two seasons in order to free Kyle Hamilton up for a disruptive role near the line of scrimmage. So while Stone may not have been a long-term contributor for the Ravens, he was quietly a hugely important part of the secondary and could even have been worth keeping around in hindsight.
So, what do you think? Was Stone DeCosta’s best Day 3 pick, or is there a better option? Join the discussion in the comments section below and be sure to check back throughout the day to continue the conversation!
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