Baltimore Ravens (Last Year: 12-5)
Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: The Ravens couldn’t stop the pass at all last year, so they need to find better players for their pass rush and secondary to make sure that they can deal with aerial attacks in 2025. Baltimore has some other areas of need, including guard and running back depth behind an aging Derrick Henry. They also need to find a kicker with Justin Tucker dealing with Deshaun Watson-type behavior.
2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: It’s truly remarkable how, year after year, top prospects seem to somehow fall to the Ravens. It happened once again in the 2025 NFL Draft, beginning in the opening round when Malaki Starks inexplicably dropped to No. 27. Starks, who easily could have gone in the teens, will have a huge impact on Baltimore’s secondary. The Ravens had severe problems stopping the pass last year until they moved Kyle Hamilton from linebacker to safety, and then their run defense suffered. Starks will allow Hamilton to remain at linebacker.
Starks wasn’t the only mega value the Ravens obtained. Mike Green, a first-round prospect, was available at No. 59. Green has some off-the-field matters that caused him to drop, but he’s a tremendous edge-rushing talent who will allow Baltimore to put more pressure on Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. And speaking of pressure, Emery Jones will help keep Lamar Jackson safe. The LSU tackle was seen as a second-round prospect, so he was a steal toward the end of the third frame.
All three of these picks earned A+ grades. In fact, seven of Baltimore’s 11 picks were graded between A+ and A-. This was an outstanding draft for the Ravens, as they found huge steals, all while addressing needs. In my opinion, Baltimore came away with the best haul of any team in the 2025 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
27. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia – A+ Grade
Once again, the Ravens land a talented player who inexplicably falls to them. What a surprise. Malaki Starks easily could have gone in the teens, so he’s an outstanding pick. Not only does he provide great value; he also fills a huge need. The Ravens had major problems stopping the pass last year, so they had to move Kyle Hamilton from linebacker to safety. With Starks on the roster, Hamilton can move back to linebacker.
59. Mike Green, DE, Marshall – A+ Grade
LOL. Can we just end this draft? The Ravens have won it. Mike Green is a first-round talent. He had off-the-field issues, but at this point, it doesn’t matter. Every pick is a roll of the dice, so why not take a chance on such a high-upside player? If Green stays out of trouble, he could be a devastating edge rusher in the NFL.
91. Emery Jones, OT, LSU – A+ Grade
Surprise, surprise, another A+ grade for the Ravens. I had Emery Jones going in the first round once upon a time. I eventually moved him to the second frame, so I love his value in the latter half of the third round. The Ravens needed one more lineman, so Jones potentially fills a need as well.
129. Teddye Buchanan, LB, California – C Grade
This is the first Ravens pick that didn’t earn an A+. Teddye Buchanan is a sixth-round prospect, so this is somewhat of a reach. The Ravens needed another linebacker, so at least this selection fits from a needs perspective.
141. Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M – A Grade
The Ravens are back to making great picks. Carson Vinson has incredible upside. The level of competition is a concern, but the Ravens could mold him into a quality starter.
178. Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan – A Grade
I may sound like a broken record at this point, but the Ravens hit yet another pick. They obviously had to take care of their secondary, and they did so once again with Bilhal Kone, who could have gone two rounds earlier. Kone is a big cornerback with impressive tackling skills.
186. Tyler Loop, K, Arizona – B Grade
No surprise that the Ravens are drafting a kicker to replace Justin Tucker. Tyler Loop is one of the kickers who would have made sense with this pick.
203. LaJohntay Webster, WR, Colorado – C Grade
I didn’t have LaJohntay Webster being drafted, so I’m a bit surprised to see this for the Ravens. Then again, Baltimore needed receiving depth, so I at least get what the Ravens are doing.
210. Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech – C Grade
Aeneas Peebles was a borderline draftable prospect. He offered a solid interior presence at Virginia Tech, but he’s an undersized tweener who doesn’t have a clear role in the NFL.
212. Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers – A- Grade
Another highly graded Ravens pick. Robert Longerbeam has plenty of upside as a terrific, speedy athlete. He’s a project, but this is the end of the sixth round, so it’s not like the Ravens are taking a risk.
243. Garrett Dillinger, G/OT, LSU – A Grade
Another win for the Ravens. Garrett Dillinger could have easily been chosen in the fifth round. He’s a versatile lineman with experience at guard and tackle, though I would expect him to stay at guard.
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