The Baltimore Ravens approached the 2025 NFL Draft the way they always do: Cool, calm, and collected. They trusted their board, stayed patient, and came away with a class that experts deemed very good. With 11 picks to work with, Baltimore focused on stacking long-term value at key positions, staying true to the formula that’s kept them in contention year after year.
Baltimore opened things up by landing Malaki Starks with the No. 27 overall pick, a move that should instantly supercharge the secondary alongside Kyle Hamilton. From there, Eric DeCosta kept the board moving in their favor, picking up value at almost every stop. Mike Green, Emery Jones Jr., Teddye Buchanan, Carson Vinson, and a loaded Day 3 haul helped check off every major need without a single obvious reach.
It’s exactly the type of draft fans have come to expect from DeCosta—and this year, even national experts like Mel Kiper Jr. couldn’t help but take notice. The ESPN draft guru handed Baltimore a strong B+ grade, tipping his cap to a class that looks ready to reload the roster without missing a beat.
Mel Kiper Jr. praises Ravens for letting the board come to
Kiper zeroed in on the first-round pick of Malaki Starks as a big reason why this class could pay off immediately for Baltimore’s defense.
“Next to Kyle Hamilton at safety, he [Malaki Starks] has the closing speed to arrive as the ball does and either break up the pass or immediately wrap up the receiver. Starks also spent a lot of time at slot corner at Georgia, so Baltimore can use that versatility to its advantage.”
But it wasn’t just the big names early. Kiper made sure to spotlight how the Ravens played the long game, racking up smart picks without overreaching or panicking when the board got messy.
“They let the board come to them and got some good prospects. Emery Jones Jr. should kick inside to guard and compete for work with Daniel Faalele. Robert Longerbeam is a good nickel corner and came at great value; I had him ranked 116th overall, and Baltimore took him late in Round 6. Aeneas Peebles will work into the defensive tackle rotation. And Bilhal Kone has some promising athletic traits. Finally, Tyler Loop was my No. 1 kicker this year. He has a massive leg, hitting a 62-yarder in college.”
When you stack it all up, it’s pretty spot-on Ravens: athletic, versatile, high-IQ players at premium positions—and letting the board dictate their next move. Even areas that didn’t necessarily scream for immediate help, like wide receiver and the defensive interior, got cost-efficient reinforcements in LaJohntay Wester and Aeneas Peebles.
For a team already sitting among the AFC elite, the Ravens didn’t need to do anything out of pocket. They just needed to not overthink it... and they didn't. Another very good draft—and once again, the rest of the league will probably feel it for years to come.
