BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens, entering the 2025 NFL Draft with 11 picks, leveraged their selections to address key needs and reinforce an already formidable roster, finishing the April 24-26 event in Green Bay with a class that earned widespread praise. General Manager Eric DeCosta’s strategic approach, rooted in a “best-player-available” philosophy, yielded a draft class headlined by Georgia safety Malaki Starks and Marshall edge rusher Mike Green, alongside critical offensive line additions and a controversial kicker pick. Despite some missed opportunities, the Ravens’ draft strengthened their Super Bowl contender status for the upcoming season, building on a 12-5 record in 2024.
Draft Performance: Strengths and Standouts
The Ravens’ draft began with a coup at pick 27, selecting Starks, a versatile safety who started 42 games at Georgia. DeCosta called Starks “the best safety in the draft,” praising his tape analysis during a combine interview: “It was like he was a coach.” Starks, a two-time first-team All-American, recorded 77 tackles, four tackles for loss, and an interception in 2024, earning second-team All-SEC honors. His ability to play free safety, deep safety, box, or slot complements two-time All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and nickel Marlon Humphrey, creating a dynamic secondary. Analysts lauded the pick, with NFL.com’s Chad Reuter giving it an A: “Starks will be a playmaker no matter where he lines up.” His fit in Baltimore’s “position-less” defense, as described by The Athletic, addresses a 2024 weakness, when the secondary allowed 58 plays of 20-plus yards, third-most in the NFL.
In the second round, at pick 59, the Ravens landed Green, the FBS sacks leader with 17 in 2024 at Marshall. Rated the No. 18 prospect by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., Green’s availability was a steal, with less than a 1% chance he’d fall to 59, per ESPN’s Draft Day Predictor. His “bat-out-of-hell mentality” and flexibility to bend around tackles make him a high-upside pass rusher, though off-field allegations from high school and 2022 at Virginia, which he denies and were never charged, likely contributed to his slide. DeCosta acknowledged the concerns, stating, “We understand the severity of what these allegations were, of course.” Green joins edge rushers Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy, both coming off double-digit sack seasons, but with expiring contracts, making him a future cornerstone.
The third-round selection of LSU offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. (pick 91) addressed a pressing need. Jones, a second-team All-SEC tackle in 2023 and 2024, offers versatility. Coach John Harbaugh said, “We see him as a possible swing guy,” capable of playing guard or tackle. Jones, a Joe Moore Award finalist, could compete with Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele for a starting guard spot or serve as a backup tackle. His 2024 pass-blocking grade of 69.9 (PFF) suggests room for growth, but his fit bolsters a line protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson, critical given Baltimore’s 64-23 record with Jackson starting since 2019 versus 4-9 without him.
Later rounds saw savvy picks. Fourth-round linebacker Teddye Buchanan (pick 129, California) led his team with 114 tackles and five sacks in 2024, earning first-team All-ACC honors. He’ll vie with Trenton Simpson for the starting weak-side linebacker role next to Roquan Smith, replacing departed backups Malik Harrison and Chris Board. Sixth-round defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles (pick 210, Virginia Tech), a third-team All-American, adds pass-rush depth at 6 feet, 289 pounds, despite falling due to his unconventional frame. Sixth-round cornerbacks Bilhal Kone (pick 178, Western Michigan) and Robert Longerbeam (pick 212, Rutgers) bring athleticism, with Kone’s 4.43 speed and Longerbeam’s 42 career passes defended addressing a thin secondary ranked 31st in passing yards allowed in 2024.
Where They Missed: The Kicker Controversy and Offensive Oversights
The most polarizing pick was sixth-round kicker Tyler Loop (pick 186, Arizona), the first kicker drafted in Ravens history. Loop, with an 83.8% field-goal rate and a school-record 62-yard kick, is an insurance policy amid an NFL investigation into Justin Tucker for alleged inappropriate behavior involving 16 massage therapists. The investigation, reported by The Baltimore Banner, has clouded Tucker’s future, with a potential post-June 1 release saving $4.2 million in cap space. Loop sidestepped questions about replacing Tucker, saying he’d be “fired up” to follow him. The Washington Post’s Mark Maske gave the pick a B-, noting, “The selection of kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round gives the Ravens a potential alternative to Tucker.” However, drafting a kicker when depth at wide receiver or defensive line was needed drew criticism, with some analysts arguing the Ravens could have signed an undrafted kicker.
The Ravens also underinvested in offensive skill positions. Sixth-round wide receiver LaJohntay Wester (pick 203, Colorado), a third-team All-American with 10 touchdowns in 2024, adds slot and punt-return ability, but his 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame limits his ceiling. Baltimore Beatdown’s Zach Canter praised Wester’s “elite route running” and return skills, comparing him to Jacoby Jones, but noted struggles against press coverage. With DeAndre Hopkins on a one-year deal and Devontez Walker’s limited 2024 role (one catch), the Ravens’ receiving corps remains thin behind Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely. The team’s failure to draft a high-round receiver or running back, despite interest in explosive talents like Miami’s Andres Borregales, left some gaps.
Fifth-round offensive tackle Carson Vinson (pick 141, Alabama A&M) and seventh-round guard Garrett Dellinger (pick 243, LSU) add depth but face steep competition. Vinson’s size is an asset, but his transition from a smaller program raises questions. Dellinger, who missed half of 2024 due to injury, may not crack the starting lineup soon. The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec noted, “They did far less to help quarterback Lamar Jackson and the offense,” suggesting missed opportunities to bolster weapons or line starters.
Current Team Composition
Post-draft, the Ravens boast one of the NFL’s strongest rosters, ranked No. 2 in power rankings by NFL.com. Offensively, Jackson, a two-time MVP, leads a unit with Derrick Henry, Flowers, Bateman, Hopkins, Andrews, and Likely. The offensive line, anchored by Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum, gains flexibility with Jones, Vinson, and Dellinger, though guard competitions loom. Defensively, Starks and Hamilton form a potentially elite safety duo, with Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Chidobe Awuzie, Kone, and Longerbeam deepening the secondary. Green and Peebles join a pass-rush group led by Oweh, Van Noy, and Nnamdi Madubuike, replacing retirees Michael Pierce and Brent Urban. Buchanan’s addition ensures linebacker depth behind Smith and Simpson. The special teams unit, however, faces uncertainty with Loop’s arrival and Tucker’s status unresolved.
Key offseason moves, including signing Hopkins ($6 million, one-year), Cooper Rush ($6.2 million, two-year), and Awuzie (one-year), complement the draft. However, Jackson’s $74.5 million cap hit in 2026 looms, with DeCosta aiming for an extension to ease future constraints. The Ravens’ 54 sacks in 2024, second in the NFL, should improve with Green and Peebles, but the loss of punt return stability (longest return: 22 yards) persists, with Wester a potential solution.
Season Predictions
The Ravens’ 2025 schedule, featuring AFC North rivals, Kansas City, Buffalo, and Miami, is daunting, but their draft and roster position them as Super Bowl contenders. Starks and Green should provide immediate impact, addressing 2024’s defensive lapses (31st in passing yards allowed) and pass-rush inconsistencies against elite quarterbacks like Josh Allen. Jones strengthens the line, crucial for Jackson’s protection, while Buchanan and the cornerbacks add depth to weather injuries. The offense, with Hopkins’ veteran presence, remains potent, though receiver depth could be tested if injuries arise.
Analysts project a 12-5 or 13-4 record, with Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame giving the draft a B: “Starks and Hamilton could be the league’s top safety pairing.” The Loop pick tempers optimism, as Tucker’s potential departure risks special teams reliability. The Ravens’ ability to integrate rookies like Starks, Green, and Jones, while navigating Jackson’s contract and Tucker’s investigation, will determine if they can surpass their 2024 AFC divisional round loss. Posts on X reflect fan excitement, with @koestreicher34 calling the class “sensational.” A third consecutive AFC North title and a deep playoff run, potentially to the AFC Championship, are realistic, with a Super Bowl berth hinging on defensive cohesion and offensive consistency.
The Ravens’ 2025 draft, graded A by NFL.com and B+ by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., positions them as a top-tier contender. While the kicker pick and limited offensive additions raise questions, DeCosta’s focus on defense and trenches ensures Baltimore remains a force, ready to chase a championship with Jackson at the helm.
