After another disappointing playoff exit, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens looked to the offseason and the 2025 NFL Draft to fill needs and add depth at key positions that will hopefully be enough to get them over the hump in the 2025 NFL season.
In re-signing Ronnie Stanley, the Ravens avoided a big hole at left tackle. That enabled them to address other needs at the top of the draft. They were also able to bring back offensive guard Ben Cleveland and sign DeAndre Hopkins at wide receiver. The Ravens also extended running back Derrick Henry which sets up the Ravens to have just as good if not better offense in 2025.
Baltimore Ravens address top needs:
The Ravens needed to add youth and depth on the defensive side of the ball, and they did that with the first two picks of the draft with two players who were projected to go higher in the draft than they did. They also drafted a tackle in LSU’s Emery Jones Jr. who may also end up being one of those value picks the Ravens are known for. In all, the Ravens have made some interesting picks who will be in position to make immediate impacts in Year 1.
Here are 3 rookies to watch for the Baltimore Ravens:
Round 1, Pick No. 27 – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia: The Ravens selecting Malaki Starks is an ideal match on paper. As a versatile defender in the secondary, Starks is primed to make an immediate impact in the Ravens’ secondary because of his ability to move up in the box and defend the run, his strong tackling and his awareness in zone coverage.
Can he grow into the next Ed Reed in the Ravens defense? He has the size, skillset and athleticism to be that good in Baltimore, but his impact in Year 1 will depend on how effective the front seven is at getting to the quarterback and forcing pressured throws. That is where a player like Starks will feast. He is already a player who is good at attacking the ball. With the QB under pressure, Starks could turn into a turnover machine right off the bat.
Round 2, Pick No. 59 – Mike Green, Edge, Marshall: Speaking of pass rush, the Ravens drafted one of the top edge rushers in all of college football last season. Due to off-the-field concerns, Marshall’s Mike Green slid into the second round right into the hands of the Ravens who have the perfect defense for Green to excel.
With 17.0 sacks in his final season at Marshall, Green was projected to go in the early-to-mid first round. With great size for a pass rusher, athleticism and talent, he was too good of an opportunity for the Ravens to pass up on. Playing behind and learning from veterans like Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh could spark the best out of Green which would wreak havoc on the rest of the AFC North.
Round 6, Pick No. 186 – Tyler Loop, K, Arizona: It’s rare to see a kicker highlighted as an impact player, but just due to the fact the Ravens released longtime kicker Justin Tucker, the next guy in will have some big shoes to fill. Arizona’s Tyler Loop has the leg and accuracy to fill those shoes. Although the Ravens will once again have a high-powered offense, there will be big games that will come down to the kicking game.
Can this Ravens rookie kick himself into the loop of reliable kickers in the NFL?
Coming into the league with field goal percentage of 83.8 percent, including going six for nine on field goals of 50 yards or more, there’s a good chance the Ravens have found their next kicker.