9 front seven standouts from NFL Combine who fit Ravens

Nearly a dozen defensive linemen, edge defenders and off-ball linebackers who showed out in front of scouts and executives.

The first group of prospects to hit the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine consisted of defensive linemen, edge defenders and off-ball linebackers. With room to improve and reinforce their depth at all three positions, the Baltimore Ravens were watching these NFL hopefuls closely on Thursday to see which ones could best fit their needs.

Here are the front seven standouts from the first day of testing and workouts who fit the Ravens:

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Defensive Line

Derrick Harmon, Oregon: With several of the other top interior defensive linemen prospects not taking part in testing or workouts due to injury or wanting to wait until their respective school’s pro day, the former Duck was given the spotlight to shine and he did. At 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds, Harmon ran the fourth-fastest time among defensive tackles (4.95), had the fifth-fastest 10-yard split (1.75) and was at his best running through the on-field drills where he was smooth with his movements and violent with his hands. He is coming off a senior season in which he recorded career highs across the board with 45 total tackles including 11 for a loss, five sacks, four batted passes, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Harmon could be an under-the-radar first-round target for the Ravens who fans shouldn’t be surprised to hear his name called at No. 27.

Darius Alexander, Toledo: Last year, his former college teammate, cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, followed up a strong showing at the Reese’s Senior Bowl with an impressive outing at the Combine and went on to be picked in the first round by the Philadelphia Eagles. Alexander may not have tested his way into the back half of the first round but he definitely solidified his status as an early Day 2 pick who could fall to the Ravens in the late second round or be a target earlier in the round if they trade out of the first.

Alexander tied Harmon for the fourth-fastest time in the 40-yard dash, had the third-fastest 10-yard split (1.72), logged a 31.5-inch vertical leap and a 9-foot-3 in the broad jump. He had the fourth-fastest time in the three-cone (7.60), eighth-best time in the 20-yard shuttle (4.79) and moved well in the drills at 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds. Alexander is coming off a senior season in which he recorded a career-high 40 total tackles including eight for a loss, 3.5 sacks, four batted passes and a 58-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Ty Robinson, Nebraska: While veteran defensive end Brent Urban has expressed a desire to play another season and the Ravens will likely re-sign him, they could use a talented young five-technique and the former Husker fits the build. Robinson finished in the top three or four in all of the athletic testing including running the fastest 40-yard dash among defensive tackles (4.83) and the third-fastest 10-yard split (1.71), third-fastest three-cone (7.58) and third-fastest 20-yard shuttle (4.50). He also had the fourth-best vertical leap (33.50) and second-best broad jump (9-foot-11) and tied for the second-most reps on the bench press (28).

Robinson was a little stiff going through on-field drills but at 6-foot-5, that is not much of a surprise but he could still be a viable late Day 2 or early Day 3 target. He is coming off a standout senior season in which he posted career highs in total tackles (37), tackles for loss (13), sacks (seven) and recorded four batted passes and and forced fumble.

Outside Linebackers

James Pearce Jr, Tennessee: Much like Harmon, the former SEC standout was able to be the star of the show of his position group and arguably of the entire first day of workouts with his performance in both testing and on-field drills combined. After coming into this event with varying opinions on what his range to hear his name called will be in late April, Pearce Jr. blew up the Combine. He had the fastest 40-yard dash (4.47) and 10-yard split (1.56) among edge defenders, had the fifth-best broad jump (10-foot-3) shined during the on-field drills as well, showing a violent club rip move and an ability to turn the corner.

Pearce Jr. was one of the most productive pass rushers in the nation over the past two seasons with 17.5 combined sacks including 10 in 2023 and 7.5 this past fall. After seeing how well he tested in Indianapolis and shined on tape, there’s a chance he doesn’t make it to the Ravens at No. 27 overall but if he does, his upside, pedigree and God-given ability might be too good to pass up on.

Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M: As was expected, the defensive prospect with the most tantalizing athletic traits in this year’s deep edge class tested off the charts. Coming off a dominant performance at the Senior Bowl, the former Aggie absolutely dominated the athletic testing at the Combine before opting to forgo the on-field drills. At 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds, he ran the fourth-fastest time in the 40-yard dash (4.57), clocked the third-fastest 10-yard split (1.58) and recorded the second-best vertical leap (40) and the best broad jump (10-foot-11). His unofficial relative athletic score of 9.99 out of a possible 10.00 ranked third out of 1,802 edge prospects dating back to 1987. While Stewart’s lack of pass rush production in college with just 4.5 career sacks is his biggest knock, his upside and potential are immense and could be the reason he gets taken in the top 20 picks and doesn’t even make it to No. 27.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College: Although he opted not to run the 40-yard dash and didn’t crack the top five in the broad jump or vertical leap, he topped the charts and shined in the tests and drills that matter most and directly correlate to playing his position. Ezeiruaku clocked the fastest times in the three-cone (6.94) and 20-yard shuttle (4.19) and moved exceptionally well during the on-field drills, showing great bend, pass rush moves, and body control.

As a senior, he bounced back from a down year in 2023 to lead the Power Four conferences in sacks (21) and tackles for loss (16.5). Ezeiruaku was also one of the bright standouts from this year’s Senior Bowl as well and already has a personal connection with the Ravens in Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers who is his former teammate and has been advising him during the pre-draft process. He’d be a great option at No. 27 if he makes it that far and isn’t plucked before Baltimore is on the clock.

Landon Jackson, Arkansas: In one of the bigger surprises of Day 1, the former Razorback continued to boost his stock in this latest stage of the pre-draft process after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl. Jackson was one of the best athletic testers and performers in on-field drills among all position groups with the top vertical jump of any prospect on Thursday including Stewart with a mark of 40.5. He had the third-best overall broad jump of the day at 10-foot-7. He also ran the eighth fastest 40-yard dash times among edge defenders (4.68) and the ninth-fastest 10-yard split (1.65) and moved well both forward and dropping back in coverage during on-field drills. Jackson recorded 6.5 sacks and 10-plus tackles for loss in each of his final two seasons in college. At this point, he would be a great pick for the Ravens sometime on Day 2 and an absolute steal if he lasted until early Day 3.

Linebackers

Jihaad Campbell, Alabama: Although off-ball linebacker isn’t a glaring need for the Ravens this offseason, the top prospect at the position this year has the kind of versatility to line up on and rush off the edge. Campbell’s testing numbers weren’t jaw-dropping but they were all up to desirable levels for a hybrid player measuring in at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds. He ran the third-fastest 40-yard dash (4.52) and 10-yard split (1.53) among linebackers and had the fourth-best overall broad jump (10-foot-7). Campbell is coming off a 2024 season in which he recorded 117 total tackles including 12 for a loss, five sacks, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, an interception, a fumble recovery and an interception. He could very well be a top-20 pick but if he falls to 27, he’d make a dangerous pairing with three-time First Team All Pro linebacker Roquan Smith while still being able to contribute off the edge.

Kain Medrano, UCLA: Ravens head coach Johns Harbaugh told reporters earlier in the week that the team plans to continue to build out their young special teams core this year and the former Bruin has future ace written all over him. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash of anyone on the first day of testing with a 4.46, tied for the third-best mark in the broad jump (10-foot-5), tied for the fourth-best mark in the vertical leap (38) and looked good dropping in coverage. Medrano is coming off a senior season in which he recorded a career-high 72 total tackles including 11 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions including a pick-six, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and four pass breakups. At 6-foot-3 and 222 pounds, he is built more like a big safety and could be a good dime linebacker at the next level who the Ravens could target sometime on Day 3.