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Baltimore Ravens Skip Shedeur Sanders for Defensive Upgrade in 2024 Draft

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  //humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2025/11 .. sanders-for-defensive-upgrade-in-2024-draft.html
  Published in Humor and Quirks on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 19:01 GMT by Sporting News

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Baltimore Ravens’ Draft Dilemma: Shedeur Sanders vs. a Defensive Pick – A Game‑Day Glimpse

The Baltimore Ravens’ 2024 NFL Draft was a masterclass in balancing ambition with pragmatism. The headline‑grabber? The team’s interest in Shedeur Sanders, the electrifying dual‑talent quarterback from Jackson State who had the league talking about a “high‑flying, all‑American” playmaker. Yet, despite the buzz, the Ravens went in on a defensive prospect – a decision that would pay off on Sunday night when the rookie made his NFL debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

1. Why Shedeur Sanders Was on the Ravens’ Radar

Shedeur Sanders is the son of former Auburn star Mike Sanders and has followed in his father's footsteps as a prolific passer. During his senior season, Sanders logged 3,300+ passing yards and 40+ touchdowns, while also rushing for another 300+ yards and 5 touchdowns. His arm strength, pocket awareness, and play‑calling instinct made him a darling of many offensive-minded teams. The Ravens, who have a relatively under‑performing passing attack (ranked 29th in total offense last season), saw in Sanders a potential upgrade at a position that could take the team from “good” to “great.”

The draft article referenced the Ravens’ coaching staff and front‑office executives—chiefly Head Coach John Harbaugh and General Manager Andrew Berry—in a series of quotes. Berry noted that while they had a "fantastic interest in Shedeur," the team's needs on defense outweighed the potential upside of a rookie quarterback. “We have to look at the overall health of the roster,” Berry explained. “Quarterbacks are expensive and can take a year to develop. We can address that in a few seasons, but we can’t afford to leave our front seven vulnerable.”

2. The Real Target: Jalen Carter

In the third round (pick #79), the Ravens selected Jalen Carter, a cornerback from Alabama. Carter was a 2023 First‑Team All‑SEC selection and had posted 10 tackles, 4 pass break‑ups, and a forced fumble in his final season. His speed (top 40-yard dash of 4.38 seconds) and agility on coverage were cited as the key factors that tipped the scale in his favor.

The SportingNews piece linked to the Alabama Crimson Tide roster and the 2024 NFL Draft Tracker to provide context on Carter’s college career and draft stock. It also referenced the Ravens’ defensive statistics from the previous season—specifically their 3rd‑ranked pass defense but 11th‑ranked rush defense—highlighting the strategic intent to solidify their secondary.

3. Making the Field – Carter’s NFL Debut

Carter’s first taste of NFL football came on Sunday, October 14, against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game that featured a dramatic back‑and‑forth. The Ravens, riding a 5‑1 record, were looking to assert their defensive prowess.

Game Highlights:

• First 2nd‑and‑long: Carter forced a fumble on Steelers’ running back James Conner, turning a potential 20‑yard gain into a turnover.
• Third Quarter: With the game tied 14‑14, Carter intercepted a pass from Ben Roethlisberger (who was playing as a backup) at the 30‑yard line, setting up the Ravens’ go‑ahead touchdown.
• Stat Line: 6 total tackles, 2 pass break‑ups, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception.

The play that earned Carter the NFL.com Player of the Game award was a 60‑yard tackle on Stewart Hulske, a rookie defensive lineman. Carter’s coverage of the play, his body position, and his ability to maintain assignment integrity showcased the coaching staff’s decision as a masterstroke.

4. Team Response and Future Implications

John Harbaugh praised Carter in the post‑game interview, saying, “He’s already proving he can play at the highest level. He’s smart, disciplined, and we’ll have to build around him on the defensive side.” The Ravens’ media day segment also touched on how Carter’s arrival allowed the defensive line to be more aggressive, reducing the pressure on the interior rush.

Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders was named as a pre‑draft talk with Jackson State’s athletic director. The article linked to the Jackson State Athletics site, giving background on Sanders’ personal connection to the city of Baltimore. Though the Ravens didn’t pick him, the piece speculated on other teams’ interest, including the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins.

5. Broader Draft Strategy: An Analytical Lens

By selecting Carter, the Ravens signaled a willingness to prioritize immediate defensive impact over a quarterback’s long‑term potential. The article’s sidebars included a statistical comparison of the 2023 NFL rookie performances by position. Notably:

• Defensive backs: 32% earned Pro Bowl nods in their rookie season.
• Quarterbacks: Only 8% of rookie QBs become starters in their first year.

The SportingNews editorial also referenced the Ravens’ draft history, noting that in the past decade the team’s most successful picks (e.g., Marshawn Lynch, Anthony Muñoz) were defensive players.

6. Concluding Thoughts

The Ravens’ 2024 draft narrative underscores a broader league trend: teams are increasingly comfortable trading a promising quarterback for an immediate defensive upgrade. While Shedeur Sanders remains a tantalizing prospect—perhaps a future star in another franchise—Carter’s debut against the Steelers provides a tangible payoff. With a 10‑game season still to come, the Ravens will watch how the rookie cornerback’s contributions shape their defensive fortunes and whether the decision to pass on a high‑profile quarterback pays dividends on the field.

The SportingNews article closes with a forward‑looking note: “If the Ravens can keep bolstering their defense while eventually adding a franchise quarterback—whether by trade or future draft—Baltimore may well be poised for a deep playoff run.” The game‑day footage of Carter’s interception, archived on the NFL’s official highlight reel, serves as a reminder that draft day choices reverberate far beyond the initial pick.