Ravens GM explains Ja'Kobi Lane, Matt Hibner picks

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Ravens GM explains Ja'Kobi Lane, Matt Hibner picks

Ravens GM explains Ja'Kobi Lane, Matt Hibner picks

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta explains why the team stuck to its draft board, selecting Ja'Kobi Lane and trading up for Matt Hibner.

Ravens GM explains Ja'Kobi Lane, Matt Hibner picks

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta explains why the team stuck to its draft board, selecting Ja'Kobi Lane and trading up for Matt Hibner.

In the high-stakes world of NFL roster building, the Baltimore Ravens have never been a team to follow the crowd. General Manager Eric DeCosta recently sat down on The Lounge Podcast to break down two intriguing mid-round selections—wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane and tight end Matt Hibner—offering fans a rare glimpse into the team's draft-day philosophy.

"Our board is our board," DeCosta explained, emphasizing the months of scouting that go into every decision. "Sometimes our evaluations differ from public consensus, and that's okay."

That confidence was on full display with the selection of Lane, a 6'4", 4.46-second 40-yard dash receiver who excels at contested catches. "He's a big-bodied jump-ball guy," DeCosta noted, highlighting the connection through Ravens legend Todd Heap. "We think he can be a real weapon for Lamar Jackson, especially as we look to add size after losing some speed at the position."

The Ravens' commitment to their board was even more evident with the Hibner pick. In a rare aggressive move, Baltimore traded up 21 spots—surrendering a future sixth-round pick—to secure the athletic tight end in the fourth round. "That's unusual for us, but we saw great value," DeCosta said. "He's productive, athletic, and we felt it was worth the move."

Together, these picks signal a clear direction for the Ravens' offense under new coordinator Declan Doyle: more size, more physicality, and more playmaking ability in the passing game. For a team known for its ground-and-pound identity, these selections add a welcome layer of versatility.

Whether it's Lane's ability to high-point the ball in the end zone or Hibner's potential as a dual-threat tight end, Baltimore is quietly building a more dynamic aerial attack—one pick at a time.

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