In the most recent mock NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens address a pressing defensive issue.

The Baltimore Ravens, a team historically known for their formidable defense, face an important offseason in 2025. After another solid, yet imperfect season, it’s clear that the Ravens need to continue refining their defensive unit to keep up with the increasingly explosive offenses across the NFL. A well-rounded defensive squad has long been the backbone of the Ravens’ success, but heading into the draft, they have specific issues that need to be addressed to ensure they remain contenders in a competitive AFC.

In this analysis, we’ll explore how the Ravens are likely to approach the 2025 NFL Draft, specifically focusing on how they might address their most pressing defensive needs, including the secondary, the pass rush, and linebacker depth. We’ll also look at the team’s draft strategy and how their selections could impact the roster for the upcoming season.

Team Overview: A Solid Foundation with Room for Improvement

The Baltimore Ravens’ defense has remained competitive year in and year out, but recent seasons have shown some cracks in their armor. While they continue to boast an impressive front seven, issues in the secondary and with their pass rush have been a concern. Additionally, the AFC North has grown more competitive, with teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns improving their offensive weapons, and the Pittsburgh Steelers consistently fielding tough defenses themselves.

Defensive Needs Heading into the Draft

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Ravens have several key positions they need to address on defense. These positions are crucial for the team to stay competitive in the AFC and ensure their defensive identity remains strong. The most pressing defensive needs for the Ravens are as follows:

1. Secondary: Cornerback and Safety The Ravens’ secondary has been a liability at times, with inconsistent play from their cornerbacks and safeties. Though Marlon Humphrey remains a standout at cornerback, there is a significant drop-off after him, and the team lacks depth at the position. Additionally, veteran safety Earl Thomas, once a key leader in the secondary, is no longer with the team. While players like Chuck Clark and Kyle Hamilton show promise, the Ravens still need more dynamic talent in the defensive backfield to prevent big plays against high-powered offenses.
2. Pass Rush: Outside Linebacker/Edge Rusher The Ravens have long relied on their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks, but in recent years, they’ve lacked an elite pass rusher. Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh has shown potential but has not yet taken the leap into becoming a consistent game-changer. The Ravens need to find a young, dynamic pass rusher who can complement Oweh and provide the team with a more consistent edge presence to disrupt the pocket. Baltimore’s defense thrives on creating pressure and forcing turnovers, and they must prioritize upgrading this area to maintain their identity.
3. Linebacker Depth While the Ravens have one of the best linebacker corps in the NFL, with players like Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith, their depth behind these starters is not ideal. Injuries to key players or a lack of rotational depth could hurt the defense during the season. Adding another linebacker with versatility—someone who can contribute on all three downs—would be a wise investment for the future.

Draft Strategy and Key Areas of Focus

With these defensive needs in mind, the Ravens are in a good position to address them through the 2025 NFL Draft. Their philosophy has often been to take the best player available while ensuring they maintain balance across all phases of the game. When it comes to defense, the Ravens have been known to pick the best defensive talent they can find, especially in the early rounds, to maintain their dominance on that side of the ball.

As we break down their likely strategy, we’ll focus on a few key positions in the draft that could help solve their defensive issues:

Round 1: Cornerback or Edge Rusher

In the first round, the Ravens are likely to prioritize either a cornerback or an edge rusher, with both positions being pressing needs. Given the current draft class, there are a few players who stand out in these positions.

Cornerback:

One of the top cornerbacks available in the 2025 NFL Draft is Kelee Ringo from the University of Georgia. Ringo is a physical, aggressive corner with exceptional length, speed, and ball skills. With a 6-foot-2 frame and 4.3 speed, he has the tools to be a shutdown corner and would immediately upgrade the Ravens’ secondary. Ringo’s ability to match up against top-tier wide receivers in the AFC, particularly in a division filled with elite receiving talent, makes him an attractive option. He could be an ideal long-term replacement for the aging depth behind Humphrey, offering both size and speed that complement the Ravens’ defense.

Alternatively, if the Ravens are looking to bolster their pass rush, they could target Will Anderson Jr. from Alabama. Anderson is one of the best pass-rushing prospects in recent years, and his explosive first step, refined technique, and ability to generate pressure on quarterbacks would significantly help the Ravens’ defense. Although the team already has Oweh, Anderson’s addition would give them the kind of dominant pass rusher they’ve lacked since Terrell Suggs’ departure. A rotation between Anderson, Oweh, and other pass rushers would keep opposing quarterbacks under constant pressure.

Round 2: Safety or Linebacker

With their second-round pick, the Ravens could look to add depth to their defense by targeting either a safety or a linebacker. Jordan Battle, a safety from Alabama, is a versatile player who can cover the deep half of the field or step into the box as a strong safety. His ability to read quarterbacks and play downhill against the run would complement the playmaking ability of Kyle Hamilton, giving the Ravens a dynamic and balanced secondary.

Alternatively, the Ravens could target a linebacker like Trenton Simpson from Clemson. Simpson is a fast, athletic linebacker with excellent sideline-to-sideline range. He has the ability to cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game while also being a physical presence against the run. With the Ravens already having two established stars in Queen and Smith, Simpson would provide them with an excellent rotational piece, especially for situations where speed and coverage skills are needed.

Round 3: Depth at Defensive Line or Edge Rusher

In the third round, the Ravens could look to add depth to their defensive line or continue building their edge rush group. Byron Young, an edge rusher from Tennessee, is an intriguing prospect who could provide solid depth behind the team’s starters. While not as polished as some of the top-tier pass rushers, Young has a high motor and the ability to generate pressure against both the run and pass. He could develop into a quality rotational piece, providing fresh legs to an already strong pass-rushing unit.

Alternatively, the Ravens could look to add a defensive tackle to their rotation. Someone like Gervon Dexter from Florida would be an ideal candidate. Dexter is a massive interior lineman who can disrupt both the run and the pass. While not a traditional edge rusher, his ability to collapse the pocket from the inside would create opportunities for outside rushers like Oweh and Anderson to generate pressure.

Rounds 4-7: Best Available Defensive Player

As the Ravens move into the later rounds, they’ll likely focus on finding the best available defensive player, whether that’s another linebacker, safety, or depth player on the defensive line. With their penchant for finding value in the later rounds, Baltimore is likely to find an underrated gem who could contribute early in their career.

One possible target is Tyler Newbin, a safety from Minnesota, who could provide additional depth at the safety position. Newbin is a ball-hawking safety with good coverage skills and the ability to read plays before they develop. Another potential pick is Jaylon Smith, a linebacker from Notre Dame, who could add depth and versatility to their linebacker corps.

Final Thoughts on the Ravens’ Draft Strategy

The 2025 NFL Draft is an important one for the Baltimore Ravens, and addressing their defensive issues is crucial to maintaining their status as one of the top teams in the AFC. By targeting a cornerback or pass rusher in the first round, followed by safety or linebacker help in the second, the Ravens can fill key gaps in their defense while adding valuable depth at important positions. If the team continues to draft well, as they have in the past, they could be well on their way to reinforcing their defense for the next few years.

The Ravens’ defense has long been a hallmark of their identity, and with the right selections in this draft, they can continue their legacy of strong defensive play while keeping up with the high-scoring offenses in the NFL.