Baltimore Ravens 2025 NFL Draft Grades

• Round 1 Pick 27: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (A+)

I didn’t have Starks marked to Baltimore in most of my mock drafts because I didn’t think the Georgia safety would be available at 27. Eric DeCosta has had a high hit rate early at the position, and Malaki fits right in at free safety, allowing Kyle Hamilton to do what he does best at strong safety. Both can also rotate in the nickel spot if needed, but Starks gives the Ravens a ballhawk that rounds out a secondary, making it a strength after it struggled mightily in the first half of the season in 2024.

Ravens 2025 NFL Draft: Rounds 2-3 Grade

• Round 2 Pick 59: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall (A+ on the field)
• Round 3 Pick 91: Emery Jones Jr., OT/OG, LSU (B+)

Green, for off-field issues, fell from a potential round one selection to round two and was a steal on the field. But there are those potential off-field concerns, and regardless of whether he’s clean or not, it was a gamble. You could’ve said the same thing about Jalen Carter on the Philadelphia Eagles, so the Ravens are hoping it works for the better. Jones wasn’t a bad selection, but Baltimore made an actual developmental tackle pick on day three, so this means the LSU tackle will likely compete at guard. But Jones is young and has potential like his 2023 season, so it was an ok value pick at a need.

Ravens 2025 NFL Draft: Rounds 4-7 Grade

• Round 4 Pick 129: Teddye Buchanan, LB, Cal (B)
• Round 4, Pick 136 (Compensatory): Traded to Tennessee for 141st & 178th overall picks
• Round 5, Pick 141 (from Tennessee): Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M (B-)
• Round 5, Pick 176 (Compensatory): Traded to New York Jets for 186th pick and 2026 fifth-rounder
• Round 6, Pick 178 (from Tennessee): Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan (C+)
• Round 6, Pick 183 (from Carolina): Traded to Tennessee for 141st & 178th overall picks
• Round 6, Pick 186 (from New York Jets): Tyler Loop, K, Arizona (A)
• Round 6, Pick 203: LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado (B+)
• Round 6, Pick 210 (Compensatory): Aeneas Peebles, DL, Virginia Tech (A)
• Round 6, Pick 212 (Compensatory): Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers (C+)
• Round 7, Pick 243: Garrett Dellinger, OG, LSU (C)

For the first time in their franchise history, since Justin Tucker was a UDFA, the Baltimore Ravens drafted a kicker in the draft. Their 6th round pick, Tyler Loop, will likely be the successor to Tucker, as his ongoing allegations will likely lead to a release sometime this offseason. The best value on day three was Aeneas Peebles, as he could play 3-4 defensive end, while the Ravens move someone to nose tackle.

LaJohntay Wester will likely compete for the return man spot, as that was a point of weakness last season. Although I didn’t mind the cornerbacks drafted, that’s the position I wished Baltimore had addressed earlier. Three offensive line selections are fine, but potentially a more proven player might’ve raised my grade for this draft. The Ravens are taking a lot of dart throws to fill out the depth that the roster was lacking.

Undrafted Rookie Free Agents

1. Auburn DL Jayson Jones [Justin Melo]
2. Rutgers DB Desmond Igbinosun [Matt Zenitz, Agency]
3. Memphis LB Chandler Martin [Memphis Football]
4. Iowa LB Jay Higgins [Scott Dochterman, Iowa Football]
5. Monmouth RB Sone Ntoh [Zach McKinnell]
6. Oregon State OL Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan [Oregon State Football]
7. Albany OL Ozzie Hutchinson [Albany Football]
8. Temple DE Diwun Black [Temple News Sports]
9. Minnesota-Duluth TE Sam Pitz [Christian Shanafelt]
10. Illinois State DB Keondre Jackson [Illinois State Football]
11. Minnesota RB Marcus Major Jr. [Coach J.D. Runnels Jr.]
12. Arizona State WR Xavier Guillory [ASU Football]
13. Miami (OH) OT Reid Holskey [Aaron Wilson]
14. Nebraska DL Nash Hutmacher [Nebraska Football]
15. Middlebury College OL Thomas Perry [Rapoport]
16. Northern Iowa OL Jared Penning [NFL.com]
17. Wyoming K John Hoyland [Justin Melo] (Minicamp invite)
18. Iowa LB Nick Jackson [Justin Melo] (Minicamp invite)
19. Towson LB Nchabanu Fortaboh [Towson Football] (Minicamp invite)
20. James Madison LB Jacob Dobbs [Draft Diamonds] (Minicamp invite)

Every season, one undrafted rookie free agent makes the team and follows the path of a Gus Edwards, Keaton Mitchell, Patrick Ricard, Beau Brade, and Josh Ross, for example, recently. Out of this year’s crop of UDFA rookies, Iowa’s Jay Higgins might have the best chance. The tackling machine may lack some athleticism, but in a defense like Baltimore, he could be the perfect run-and-chase backer.

Although they drafted Buchanan in round four, Higgins would compete with free-agent special-teams signing Jacob Hummel as well. It will be tough to make the team compared to previous seasons.

Final Thoughts on Overall Draft Grade

Although they had a pretty decent draft, there will be cuts, and some might not make the team, especially the day three picks. While some might make the practice squad, with 11 rookies plus UDFAs, it’s going to be a stacked competition. Compared to other teams, I would give this draft an A-, just for the first three days with the value they got. This grade hinges on whether veteran free agent corner signing Chidobe Awuzie can stay healthy, unlike the past few seasons.