Over the years, the Baltimore Ravens have built out one of the league’s best defenses. The organization has been able to handle the attrition of losing good players to free agency for many reasons. One has been because they have mastered the compensatory pick formula. The other has been quality drafting and strong foundations within their coaching staff. With the 2025 NFL Draft fast approaching, we’ll look at how the organization has viewed certain positions and how their draft history could foreshadow their approach for the upcoming draft.
What the Ravens NFL Draft History Says About 2025
It All Starts Up Front
Since Eric Decosta took over in 2019, the Baltimore Ravens have made 52 draft picks. Decosta came up under Ozzie Newsome, who made his name as of the best General Managers in NFL history by hitting on high-end talent throughout the draft. The Ravens have long prioritized building out the trenches in the draft, and Decosta has continued that trend. Of Decosta’s 52 draft selections, 25 of them have been players who either play on the offensive line and defensive line, at tight end or linebacker. It helped that Decosta inherited a roster with Lamar Jackson, allowing the front office to build around their franchise quarterback with tough players up front.
Building out the trenches and finding players who play at or near the line of scrimmage is how some of the best teams have maintained their success in the NFL. Organizations like the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Pittsburgh Steelers have become perennial playoff contenders because of a similar team-building approach.
In a draft that is loaded with defensive linemen and tight ends, the Ravens should have their eyes on adding quality rotational depth to their front lines. Even after locking up Ronnie Stanley and recently Justin Madubuike, Baltimore could stand to add pieces to both the offensive and defensive lines.
When In Doubt, Go Best Player Available
Sometimes, great players fall in the first round of the NFL Draft. From Kyle Hamilton to Lamar Jackson, the Ravens have seen firsthand what can happen when a player starts to slide in the draft. In both players’ cases, the team already had starters in place. The value, however, was too good to pass up. Sometimes that’s how the draft works, and certain teams are rewarded by their willingness to add talent over addressing a bigger need.
Isaiah Likely is a perfect example of the team’s ability to spot talent and draft a player, regardless of the crowding at the position when the pick was made. Good teams like Baltimore know how to build and tweak their schemes around their talent, like Likely. After being picked 139th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Likely has carved out an important role in the Ravens offense and has become a favorite target for Lamar Jackson.
Hamilton is another perfect example of a player who fell in the draft but has become an impact player for the Ravens. In that same 2022 class, the Ravens could have opted for Jahan Dotson or Treylon Burks with the 14th overall pick. Receiver was a pressing need that off-season, and either pick could have been justified. Instead, Baltimore took Hamilton. Both Burks and Dotson have become afterthoughts for their respective teams, while Hamilton has become a star.
What to Expect in The 2025 NFL Draft
A byproduct of being successful is drafting late. The Ravens have long favored quantity over quality, which has helped mitigate their inability to draft within the top 10. Since Decosta took over, Baltimore has only had one pick within the top 15 (Hamilton). The Ravens have 11 selections heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, but Decosta has also shown he’s willing and eager to make trades.
Wide receiver, safety, and cornerback are a few of the team’s top needs heading into the draft. Baltimore’s free agency moves, however, should allow the team to prioritize talent over need. They’re a team that could benefit from the class being so strong at defensive line and tight end, allowing them to land an impact player in round one. Players like Emeka Egbuka and Luther Burden III could slide far enough for Baltimore to pounce. Nick Emmanwori and Malaki Starks are two safeties that could fit the Ravens’ defense and also be available late in round one.
A team can never have enough pass rushers. The team is still waiting to see the best out of David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh, and Kyle Van Noy is not getting any younger, so Decosta could once again draft a pass rusher early. There are several that could be available at pick #27: such as Donavan Ezeiruaku, James Pearce Jr., or JT Tuimoloau.
Regardless if it happens early or later in the draft, Baltimore’s recent draft history under Decosta should help foreshadow their plans to bolster the offensive and defensive lines.
Main Photo: Troy Taormina – Imagn Images
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