Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry would become even more formidable if the Ravens were to select a versatile player in the 2025 NFL mock draft.

The 2025 NFL Draft could be a pivotal moment for the Baltimore Ravens, especially if they manage to select a versatile player who can complement the talents of their two most dynamic playmakers: Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Together, these two players bring an elite level of skill, athleticism, and game-changing ability that can pose serious challenges for opposing defenses. However, if the Ravens were to add a player who possesses versatility, it could elevate their offense to unprecedented heights. This article will explore how such a move could benefit the team, examine potential prospects who might fit that role, and analyze how they could mesh with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the Ravens’ offense.

The Current State of the Ravens’ Offense

At the center of the Ravens’ offensive success is Lamar Jackson. The 2019 NFL MVP is known for his exceptional dual-threat abilities, combining incredible arm strength and accuracy with elite speed and agility as a runner. Jackson is one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the league, capable of making plays both with his legs and through the air. Despite his unique talents, Jackson has at times struggled to elevate the passing game, particularly with a lack of reliable wide receivers and a system built around the run.

In the backfield, Derrick Henry represents one of the most dominant running backs in the NFL. Known for his rare combination of size, strength, and speed, Henry is a physical force who can wear down defenses over the course of a game. His ability to break off long runs, especially in the second half, gives the Ravens a powerful running game that keeps defenses on their heels. However, despite Henry’s immense talent, he can occasionally be contained in the modern NFL, especially with defenses focusing on stopping the run in key moments.

Given these offensive strengths and weaknesses, one key to maximizing the potential of both Jackson and Henry is bringing in a versatile player—someone who can contribute in multiple facets of the game, both as a weapon for Jackson and as a complement to Henry in the run game. This player must be someone who can create mismatches, draw attention from defenses, and open up the playbook in ways that both Jackson and Henry benefit from.

Versatility in the NFL: A Growing Trend

Versatility has become a hallmark of the modern NFL. With offenses evolving to utilize a range of different schemes, having a player who can impact the game in multiple ways provides an immense advantage. In 2025, this trend is expected to continue, with an increasing number of players entering the league who can perform across multiple positions. Versatile players often have the ability to line up in different spots, make plays in various roles, and change the course of a game with their all-around skillset.

For the Ravens, the potential addition of such a versatile player would provide several advantages:

1. Offensive Fluidity: A versatile player could give the Ravens the ability to move between different offensive looks. Whether they want to run the ball with power (using Henry), rely on play-action (setting up deep shots for Jackson), or create mismatches with a versatile weapon, the possibilities become far greater with the addition of such a player.
2. Defensive Mismatches: A player who can line up as a wide receiver, running back, tight end, or even in the slot would give the Ravens’ offense the ability to confuse defenses. If the opposing team doesn’t know where the player will line up, it becomes harder to predict how to defend against him, creating opportunities for Jackson and Henry to exploit.
3. Depth and Flexibility: Injuries are an inevitable part of the NFL, and having a versatile player means that the team can weather injuries to other key contributors without missing a beat. For example, if Jackson or Henry were to miss time, a versatile player could step into multiple roles, allowing the Ravens to keep their offensive system relatively intact.
4. Unpredictability in the Passing Game: While Lamar Jackson’s ability to throw deep has improved over the years, he still benefits from the occasional surprise element in the passing game. A versatile player can create mismatches against linebackers or secondary players, allowing Jackson to exploit those situations with his arm.

Potential Versatile Players in the 2025 NFL Draft

There are a few players in the 2025 NFL Draft who could provide the kind of versatility that the Ravens need to take their offense to the next level. Whether they are wide receivers who can also run the ball, running backs who can line up as receivers, or tight ends who can split out wide, these players could help elevate Jackson and Henry’s game by providing them with another weapon on the field.

1. Travis Hunter (Wide Receiver/Defensive Back) – Jackson State

A player who can line up as both a wide receiver and a defensive back is a rare breed, but Travis Hunter could bring just that level of versatility to the Ravens’ offense. While his primary position is wide receiver, Hunter also possesses the ability to lock down wideouts on the defensive side of the ball. His agility, speed, and incredible football IQ make him a prime candidate to be used in a variety of roles on offense. His ability to create mismatches against defenders of any size would give Lamar Jackson another reliable option in the passing game, while his speed and elusiveness could also make him a potential option in the running game.

2. Brock Bowers (Tight End) – Georgia

Brock Bowers is another player who could be the perfect complement to Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. As a dynamic tight end, Bowers excels as both a pass catcher and a blocker. He can line up as an in-line tight end or split out wide, creating favorable matchups against linebackers or smaller defensive backs. Bowers is an excellent route runner with the ability to stretch the field vertically. His hands and catch radius make him a legitimate red zone threat, and his ability to block gives the Ravens the flexibility to incorporate him into both the passing and running game. This versatility makes Bowers an ideal fit for an offense that revolves around both the run and pass.

3. Javonte Barnes (Running Back/Receiver) – Oklahoma

Javonte Barnes is an explosive running back with exceptional receiving skills. While he is primarily known for his ability to take over games as a rusher, Barnes has the ability to line up as a slot receiver or even out wide, giving the Ravens a versatile weapon in the passing game. His vision and balance make him a dangerous weapon on the ground, but his ability to create mismatches against linebackers in the passing game would make him an intriguing option for Lamar Jackson. As a player who can line up anywhere in the backfield and as a receiver, Barnes could unlock new ways for the Ravens to use their two dynamic playmakers in a more fluid offensive system.

4. Quinshon Judkins (Running Back/Receiver) – Ole Miss

Quinshon Judkins is another versatile player who could be an excellent fit in the Ravens’ offense. A powerful, compact running back, Judkins has the ability to run with force between the tackles but also has the hands and athleticism to be a reliable target in the passing game. With his ability to contribute both as a rusher and as a receiver, Judkins could create mismatches in a variety of formations. Given that Lamar Jackson is often looking for dynamic weapons in the passing game, having a back like Judkins who can also make plays through the air would be an invaluable asset.

5. Marvin Harrison Jr. (Wide Receiver) – Ohio State

Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2025 draft, and while he is predominantly a wideout, his ability to impact the game in a multitude of ways is what sets him apart. Standing at 6’4″, he has ideal size to play as an outside receiver, but Harrison also excels at running routes out of the slot and can be used in motion to confuse defenses. His versatility could give the Ravens the ability to use him in multiple spots, allowing Lamar Jackson to take full advantage of his elite ball skills and separation ability. Pairing him with a backfield that already includes Derrick Henry could force defenses to pick their poison: stop the run, or deal with an elite receiver in one-on-one situations.

How This Player Would Fit with Jackson and Henry

The ideal versatile player for the Ravens would need to complement Lamar Jackson’s unique skill set while also enhancing Derrick Henry’s power running game. Here’s how the combination could work:

• In the Passing Game: A versatile player like Brock Bowers or Marvin Harrison Jr. could create matchup problems for defenses. Bowers could line up next to Jackson in a two-tight end set, creating additional blocking help for Henry or running routes to stretch the defense vertically. If he lines up as a receiver, he can win one-on-one battles against linebackers, freeing up Jackson to make plays through the air.
• In the Running Game: Players like Javonte Barnes or Quinshon Judkins could line up next to Jackson in the backfield, or even as a split-out option in a slot position, creating confusion for defenders. With Henry commanding attention in the box, the defense would have to account for the versatile player who can also make plays in the open field. This could open up lanes for Jackson to scramble or take advantage of misaligned defenses.
• Play-Action: The threat of the run with Henry, combined with the deep-ball potential of Lamar Jackson, would create the perfect setup for play-action. A versatile player could be used as a decoy or an additional target, forcing defenses to second-guess their coverage assignments and creating wide-open opportunities for Jackson downfield.

If the Baltimore Ravens were to add a versatile player in the 2025 NFL Draft, it could push their offense to new heights. The ability to complement Lamar Jackson’s unique playmaking ability and Derrick Henry’s punishing style of running could create an unstoppable combination. The versatility that such a player would bring—whether through their ability to run, catch, block, or line up in multiple positions—could enhance the Ravens’ offensive strategy, keeping defenses on their toes and forcing them to adapt to a variety of looks.

In the end, the addition of a versatile weapon would not only give Jackson and Henry the support they need to become even more formidable but also make the Ravens one of the most unpredictable and dangerous offenses in the NFL.