The Baltimore Ravens have plenty of options when it comes to the first round at pick 27. With needs at offensive guard, along with most of the defensive side of the ball, the board should fall in the Ravens’ favor. However, Baltimore does have 11 selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, so there could be a scenario where they trade up once or twice. They have often gone best player available, and it normally works out in their favor, regardless of the position.
Based on the depth of this class, most mock drafts for the Ravens have them going edge rusher, guard, defensive tackle, cornerback, or safety in the first round. I would say their top three needs include edge, corner, and a trench player on either side of the ball, based on what Baltimore’s GM Eric DeCosta has said this offseason.
However, in terms of the order that they go with the first two days of the draft will impact things, as there are various scenarios this could play out this week for the first three rounds of the draft. Depending on how the board falls, they should be even more aggressive to potentially take four players in the first two days. Their needs at guard and defensive tackle are about the same level of priority, potentially with how confident they seem to be in the young players on the roster at the position.
With Ar’Darius Washington back, safety is still needed, but that may seem to be more of a luxury than a necessity to draft early. But both Malaki Starks and Nick Emmanwori are great players and do fit the mold of a BPA-type pick. Inside linebacker also needs to be addressed, but the Ravens are hoping former third-round pick Trenton Simpson takes a step forward as a starter next to Roquan Smith after he had a rough year last season.
With that being said, which position is more likely first for the Baltimore Ravens, and which order/ scenario benefits them the most for the 2025 NFL Draft?
Edge Rusher Options First Round
From James Pearce Jr. to Mykel Williams to Shemar Stewart, along with Donovan Ezeiruaku and Nic Scourton, all five could be potential Baltimore Ravens and could be taken at 27. While they all have their flaws, these edge rushers would give Baltimore another pass rusher to bolster their defense. In most mock draft scenarios, at least one or two of these options are available when the Ravens are on the clock.
The safest seems to be Boston College’s Ezeiruaku, as he is slightly undersized but has the production to be an impact player as a rookie. Williams from Georgia and Pearce from Tennessee both have uber traits and size, while flashing potential as game wreckers. However, their profiles lack some production and include potential character concerns off-field. Normally, Williams is regarded higher than Pearce in most mock drafts, but Pearce would fit Baltimore better as a 3-4 edge rusher rather than a defensive end.
The widest range seems to be the Texas A&M defensive ends Stewart, who blew up the Combine with his athleticism, and Scourton, who seems to be more of a round two player. Both were playing out of position last year, in particular, and could explain the lack of collegiate production. Odafe Oweh, who they need a running mate for or could be replacing after this season, also didn’t record a sack at Penn State in his final season, but still was drafted in the first round. While he has been great at times, the pass rush in general wasn’t consistent for various reasons.
Cornerback Options Second Round
Potential back-end first-round corner options include Maxwell Hairston, Trey Amos, Shavon Revel Jr., and Azareye’h Thomas. But realistically, if they go edge or another position round one, there are other names to note before the position seems to dry up in terms of talent. Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish, Darien Porter, or Caleb Ransaw, available with their second-round pick, would all be great values, along with the other names mentioned.
Iowa State’s Porter, if taken by Baltimore, would reunite with T.J. Tampa and has similar athleticism to Nate Wiggins. He would make a lot of sense for the Ravens as a height, weight, speed option at corner to develop behind veteran free agent signing Chidobe Awuzie. Porter could play on the outside in a rotation, while veteran Marlon Humphrey can stick in the nickel covering slot wide receivers.
Offensive Guard Options Third Round
Tyler Booker, Grey Zabel, and Donovan Jackson at guard could be on the table in round one, but there are plenty of other names for day two. There could also be potential tackles that could be starting guards at the next level that can’t be ruled out, including Kelvin Banks Jr., Josh Conerly, Aireontae Ersery, and Charles Grant. Other potential guards in the mix for day two are Tate Ratledge, Marcus Mbow, Wyatt Milum, Miles Frazier, Emery Jones Jr., and Jonah Savaiinaea.
While they do need starting guards potentially, the Baltimore Ravens do still have young options and could want more of a tackle who could stick to guard instead of a pure guard. Position versatility does bump up draft stock if they take that into account, meaning this position could be targeted late day two or even at the top of day three in the 2025 NFL Draft. Regardless, they do need depth at both spots, despite retaining veteran Ronnie Stanley, who does have an injury history but is the bona fide starter at left tackle, while Roger Rosengarten is their standout right tackle as a former second-round pick last season.
Trade Out of Round 1 All Together?
Despite having double-digit picks, the value in the draft seems to be on day two, as the depth at edge and defensive back is shallow after the top 10 of their respective positions. If the Baltimore Ravens don’t want a force a pick at 27, I could see them trading out of the first to double-dip in round two. Offensive and defensive line classes also have some solid value in rounds two and three.
But what is more likely is they stick and pick, and then try to move up from their second and third round picks using their plethora of day three draft capital. If a Mark Andrews trade doesn’t happen on Thursday night, it could happen on Friday or Saturday instead. There is a risk that it may be harder to pull off compared to moving out of round one, letting another team hop back in. I wouldn’t rule out either scenario taking place on day one.
