Round Two and More – 2025 Ravens Draft

We’re on to round two and round three now.  But first a brief reflection on the round one outcome.  I’m thrilled the Ravens drafted Maliki Starks.  He was the best back end safety in the draft, hands down.  The ripple effect on the defense for next year is significant.  His presence allows the full-time re-assignment of Kyle Hamilton as the swiss army knife that has made him a great player.  Back to the line of scrimmage for Hamilton, or wherever else Zach Orr assigns him on any given play.  Starks can play single-high safety if you want to go in that direction.  He and Ar’Darius Washington together can handle the split coverages if Orr wants that on three safety looks.  Or whatever.

The re-emergence of defensive scheme flexibility cannot be understated.  I love the move.  Now, there’s a lot more work to do on draft days two and three. Continue reading “Round Two and More – 2025 Ravens Draft”

2025 Ravens Big Board!  And More

The 2025 Big Board is finally here.  The goal of this pre-draft process is simple.  Find which players at which positions fit the Ravens needs for 2025 and beyond.  Then, estimate how much draft capital each player is worth to the Ravens.  Over 180 players were reviewed this year.

Because the Ravens have pick 27 in the first round, many of the “famous” expected round one prospects were not reviewed.  They simply have no chance of falling to Baltimore.  The first round Ravens targets I list below are those who: (a) fill a significant need, and (b) have a reasonable chance of falling to within “range” of the Ravens pick number 27.  This allows for the possibility that the Ravens might covet a player so much that they are willing to trade up to get him. Continue reading “2025 Ravens Big Board!  And More”

Running Back Prospects – Ravens 2025 Draft

In this final position report we take a look at running back prospects in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft from the Ravens perspective.  Previous position reports can be found as follows:

Offense:
Wide receiver prospect are here.
Tight end prospect analyses are available here.
Offensive tackle reviews are located here.
Guard prospect reviews are located here.

Defense:
Inside linebacker prospects are here.
Defensive tackle prospects are reviewed here.
Cornerback prospects are available here.
Safety prospects are located here.
Edge linebacker prospects are located here.

There are no reports for quarterbacks or centers this year.

Ravens Running Back Situation

The Ravens don’t necessarily have any need at running back, depending on the condition of Keaton Mitchell.  Derrick Henry and Justice Hill will return to their duties from 2024.  I’m sure Ravens fans are drooling for another look at a fully healthy Keaton Mitchell.  We all hope he’s able to recoup the electric play he demonstrated in his rookie year.  Rasheen Ali sits in the last row of the running back room. Continue reading “Running Back Prospects – Ravens 2025 Draft”

Wide Receiver Prospects – Ravens 2025 Draft

Time to take a look at the wide receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL draft from the Ravens perspective.  Previous position reviews are as follows:

Offense:
Tight end prospect analyses are available here.
Offensive tackle reviews are located here.
Guard prospect reviews are located here.

Defense:
Inside linebacker prospects are here.
Defensive tackle prospects are reviewed here.
Cornerback prospects are available here.
Safety prospects are located here.
Edge linebacker prospects are located here.

The Ravens Wide Receiver Room

The Ravens wide receiver room has three spots definitively filled with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins.  Tylan Wallace and Devontez Walker currently man slots four and five.  There’s room for improvement in those final two slots. Continue reading “Wide Receiver Prospects – Ravens 2025 Draft”

Tight End Prospects – Ravens 2025 Draft

Time to take a look at the tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL draft from the Baltimore Ravens perspective.  Previous position reviews that are available are as follows:

Offense:
Offensive tackle reviews are located here.
Guard prospect reviews are found here.

Defense:
Inside linebacker prospects are found here.
Defensive tackle prospects are reviewed here.
Cornerback prospects are considered here.
Safety prospects are located here.
Edge linebacker prospects are reviewed here.

Tight End Background

The $11 million question is whether the Ravens will move Mark Andrews on draft day; freeing up that stash for salary cap purposes.  If they do, they’ll draft another tight end.  If they don’t, they likely won’t.  Eric DeCosta has made clear his willingness to trade Andrews and get draft compensation this year (instead of in 2027 after Andrews leaves in free agency).  Regardless, the Ravens won’t spend draft capital on a tight end in the first two rounds (but see Elijah Arroyo, below).  I say that with confidence, but DeCosta has fooled me before.  Nevertheless, our journey begins with third round prospects and below.  And note that a lot of my thinking is premised on the view that the Ravens will re-sign Likely. Continue reading “Tight End Prospects – Ravens 2025 Draft”

Offensive Tackle Prospects – Ravens 2025 Draft

In this post we take a look at the offensive tackle prospects in the 2025 NFL draft from the Ravens perspective.  Previous position reviews are as follows:

Guard prospects are reviewed here.
Inside linebacker prospects are found here.
Defensive tackle prospects are reviewed here.
Cornerback prospects are located here.
Safety prospects are considered here.
Edge linebacker prospects are reviewed here.

The Ravens are set with their two starters, Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten.  They need a swing backup tackle and, ideally, someone they can groom behind Stanley.  There’s no sense addressing the top two offensive tackles in the draft (Will Campbell and Armand Membou), who are both ignored here.  In addition, I don’t see a scenario where they draft a tackle in the first round at all, and for that reason I’m also ignoring the other top offensive tackle prospects (Josh Conerly Jr., Aireontae Ersery, and Josh Simmons).  We start after that group. Continue reading “Offensive Tackle Prospects – Ravens 2025 Draft”

Ravens 2025 Draft – Guard Prospects

Time to take a look at the guard prospects in the 2025 draft from the Ravens perspective.  Previous position reviews are listed below:

Inside linebacker prospects are found here.
Defensive tackle prospects are located here.
Cornerback prospects are found here.
Safety prospects are reviewed here.
Edge linebacker prospects are located here.

The right guard position seemingly is locked down by Daniel Faalele.  The backup swing guard is Ben Cleveland.  Left guard is currently manned by Anthony Vorhees.  We didn’t get to see a ton of tape last year on Vorhees, but what I did see was a guard who didn’t have the lower body power to consistently drive defenders off the line.  The Ravens could look for someone who can do that, provided that player can also block in space.  Presumably, the Ravens won’t jump into the guard prospects pool before the fourth round.  But, you never know. Continue reading “Ravens 2025 Draft – Guard Prospects”

2025 Ravens Draft – Inside Linebacker Prospects

In this post we take a look at the inside linebacker prospects in the 2025 draft from the Ravens viewpoint.  Previous positions reviews are listed below with links:

Defensive tackle prospects can be found here.
Cornerback prospects are located here.
Edge linebacker prospects are found here.
Safety prospects are located here.

Currently, the Ravens have only two inside linebackers on their roster: Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson.  They were disappointed in Simpson’s 2024 play (more than I was).  Jake Hummel was recently signed but he’s there as a special teams ace.  There is a clear need for at least two additional inside linebackers for the 2025 roster.   However, this is not a particularly gifted or deep class of prospects.  But let’s dig into the 2025 inside linebacker prospects, such as they are. Continue reading “2025 Ravens Draft – Inside Linebacker Prospects”

Ravens 2025 Draft – Defensive Tackle Prospects

This post is a deep dive on the defensive tackle prospects in this years’ draft, from the Ravens perspective of course.  Previous position reviews are:

Cornerback prospects are here.
Edge linebacker prospects are here.
Safety prospects are here.

With the retirement of Michael Pierce the Ravens are ready for an infusion of young talent along the defensive interior.  Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones are settled in as the primary tackles with Broderick Washington as the valuable third oar, but it’s time for a real improvement over Brent Urban, with another body needed.  The perfect candidate for the Ravens is someone who can handle double teams and yet penetrate on pass rushing downs, i.e., a three down player.  That type of player goes in the first and second rounds.  A run stuffer who can handle double teams is typically found in the third round and beyond. Continue reading “Ravens 2025 Draft – Defensive Tackle Prospects”

Ravens 2025 Draft – Cornerback Prospects

It’s time to take a look at the cornerback prospects in the 2025 NFL draft from the Ravens’ perspective.

Edge linebackers prospects were reviewed here.
Safety prospects were reviewed here.

The Ravens three top cornerbacks as of now are Nate Wiggins and Chidobe Awuzie likely on the outside, with Marlon Humphrey on the inside.  The perennially injured Jalyn Armour-Davis and the unknown quantity T.J. Tampa fill out the group.  There’s a clear need for an outside starter as the Ravens don’t want to go into 2025 with Awuzie as that second outside man.  Nor would they count on Armour-Davis.

There’s no sense looking at Travis Hunter, who will be long gone before the Ravens draft.  This group is weaker at the top of the draft than in prior years, but there is some depth.  Let’s take a look. Continue reading “Ravens 2025 Draft – Cornerback Prospects”

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