After selecting cornerback Nate Wiggins with their first-round pick, the Baltimore Ravens attacked the offensive line and took Roger Rosengarten with the 62nd-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Weighing in at 6′-5″ and 308 pounds, the Washington product was something of a surprise selection. While just about everyone thought the Ravens would select an offensive tackle early in the draft, few thought Rosengarten would be the choice. NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein projects Rosengarten as a good backup with starter potential, but General Manager Eric DeCosta couldn’t be happier with the selection.
During a recent appearance on The Ravens Lounge, DeCosta revealed that he almost traded the 62nd-overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs, but held back because he believed either they or the 49ers would select Roger Rosengarten.
Ravens Stole Roger Rosengarten From Chiefs, 49ers
DeCosta details the Roger Rosengarten selection during his latest appearance on The Ravens Lounge
“The Chiefs called us and offered us to go back two spots, I think a fifth-round pick and maybe a seventh-round pick, I forget,” DeCosta said. “I know a fifth was involved. Which for two spots, you’d think is pretty good, right? So we debated doing that. And then, when we called them back I said, ‘Yeah, we’d probably do that.’ We called them back and they said, ‘No we’re not interested.’ So then we pick Roger [Rosengarten]. We’re sort of under the impression that both teams, the 49ers and the Chiefs both wanted Rosengarten. And so, when Rosengarten got picked, the Chiefs traded with San Francisco to get the next tackle which was [Kingsley] Suamataia. San Francisco, I would assume was happy then, since Rosengarten was picked, to go back and get a little bit extra.”
The Chiefs held the 64th-overall pick in the draft, meaning the Ravens would have only fallen back two spots in the draft. Normally, picking up a fifth-round pick for such a short drop is a no-brainer, but DeCosta believed the Ravens would lose out on Roger Rosengarten if they made this move. Only time will tell if this was the correct decision, but it’s safe to say that Baltimore’s general manager is thrilled with the pick.
The Chiefs, 49ers Moves
After failing to make a deal with the Ravens, Kansas City traded the 64th and 173rd picks to the San Francisco 49ers for the 63rd and 211th picks in the draft. This is a high price to move up just one pick, and the Chiefs used the selection to take offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia. The Chiefs needed a left tackle and had their eyes fixed on the position. Perhaps the Ravens snatched away their first choice in Roger Rosengarten, but this trade implies they believe Suamataia has starting potential.
The 49ers, meanwhile, need a tackle and easily could have selected Rosengarten. Trent Williams is still elite, but he’s not getting any younger. The rest of the offensive line, meanwhile, could use some help, and Rosengarten could have immediately started at right tackle. However, San Francisco wasn’t interested in Suamataia and ended up with cornerback Renardo Green.
Main Photo: Vasha Hunt – USA Today Sports
