The Baltimore Ravens’ mock draft adds a playmaking safety and wide receiver.
The Baltimore Ravens have a storied franchise history, with a rich tradition of strong defenses and hard-nosed football. After a rollercoaster 2024 season, the Ravens find themselves with several critical needs heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. The team has bolstered its roster in some areas through free agency, but there are still positions of need that must be addressed in order to keep pace with the other AFC contenders, especially in the highly competitive AFC North.
In this mock draft, we will focus on the Ravens’ primary needs: a playmaking safety and wide receiver. While the team’s defense is known for its physicality and schemes, adding an elite safety could take the secondary to the next level. On the offensive side, although Lamar Jackson has a talented supporting cast, the wide receiver corps still lacks a true game-changing presence. By targeting both positions, the Ravens can address these holes and further solidify their roster for the future.
First Round (Pick 22): Jordan Battle, Safety, Alabama
The safety position has long been one of the Ravens’ staples. Over the years, players like Ed Reed and Earl Thomas have made the Ravens’ secondary one of the league’s most feared. However, with the departure of key defensive backs and the aging of some current players, it is crucial to invest in the future of the defensive backfield.
Jordan Battle from Alabama checks all the boxes as a potential game-changer in the secondary. Standing at 6’1″ and weighing 210 pounds, Battle is a well-rounded player who excels in both coverage and run support. His football IQ is off the charts, with the ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and anticipate throws, allowing him to excel in pass coverage. Additionally, Battle is a physical tackler, and his ability to provide support in the run game makes him a versatile asset.
Battle’s athleticism, coupled with his experience in Nick Saban’s defense, gives him the ability to be impactful right away. He has a knack for creating turnovers and reading opposing offenses, and his leadership qualities make him a natural fit for the Ravens’ defense-first mentality. Pairing him with incumbent star safety Kyle Hamilton could give the Ravens a dynamic safety tandem, capable of controlling the middle of the field and limiting big plays.
Furthermore, Battle’s ability to line up in various defensive schemes will allow him to seamlessly integrate into the Ravens’ complex system, which frequently involves multiple looks and rotating personnel. Adding a playmaking safety like Battle would not only address an immediate need but would also ensure that the Ravens’ secondary remains one of the NFL’s best for years to come.
Second Round (Pick 55): Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College
While the Ravens have made strides in recent seasons to improve their receiving corps, the team still lacks a true number-one wide receiver. DeVonta Smith and Ja’Marr Chase have redefined what it means to be a top-tier receiver in the NFL, and the Ravens need to find their own version of that player. Enter Zay Flowers from Boston College.
Flowers is a dynamic and explosive wide receiver who can do it all. At 5’10″ and 175 pounds, he may not be the tallest receiver on the board, but his short-area quickness, separation ability, and deep-threat skills make him one of the best wideouts in this draft class. Flowers is known for his incredible agility, especially when working in the open field. His ability to create space with quick cuts and change-of-direction ability is elite, and he can make defenders miss in the open field.
Flowers also possesses excellent hands, and his catching radius allows him to make difficult catches in tight spaces. As a deep threat, he can stretch the field vertically, giving Lamar Jackson another option for explosive plays down the field. His route running is crisp, and his quickness allows him to break free from defensive backs even in tight coverage. He also has the ability to make plays after the catch, something that could take the Ravens’ offense to another level.
In a Ravens offense that relies on the deep ball and spreading the field, Flowers would provide the perfect complement to the run-heavy scheme. His speed and playmaking ability would make him a constant threat, and his route-running proficiency would enable him to get open quickly in any situation.
Pairing Flowers with the likes of Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews would give Lamar Jackson a truly dynamic trio of weapons, capable of attacking defenses from every angle. The Ravens’ offense would become far more balanced and unpredictable, forcing opposing defensive coordinators to focus on all areas of the field. If Flowers can make an immediate impact, he could quickly become one of Jackson’s go-to targets and provide a vertical element the Ravens have been missing.
Third Round (Pick 85): Kyu Blu Kelly, Cornerback, Stanford
Though the focus here is on adding a playmaking safety and wide receiver, the Ravens cannot ignore their need for depth in the secondary. With cornerbacks like Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters leading the way, the Ravens have a solid base in the defensive backfield, but they can always use another young corner who has the potential to step up.
Kyu Blu Kelly from Stanford fits the bill. Standing at 6’0″ and weighing 190 pounds, Kelly is a physical cornerback with a strong work ethic and competitive nature. He’s a smart player who thrives in man coverage, with the ability to stay with receivers on any route. He’s not the most explosive athlete, but his understanding of the game and his technical skills make him a formidable defender. Kelly’s ball skills are excellent, and he has the ability to track passes and make timely interceptions.
Kelly has the versatility to play inside or outside, giving the Ravens a potential starter who can step in and contribute immediately. His knowledge of route concepts and his ability to stick to receivers makes him an excellent addition to the defensive backfield. While Kelly may need some time to develop into a starter, he’s a high-upside prospect who can eventually grow into a solid contributor for the Ravens.
Fourth Round (Pick 122): Charlie Jones, Wide Receiver, Purdue
In a deep wide receiver class, the Ravens have another opportunity to add a talented pass-catcher who can contribute early in his career. Charlie Jones from Purdue is a name to keep an eye on in the fourth round. Jones is a smooth, polished route runner who knows how to create separation and get open in all areas of the field.
At 6’0″ and 185 pounds, Jones has solid size, but his true strength lies in his ability to make quick adjustments and track the ball effectively. He’s a precise route runner, particularly on intermediate and short routes, and his ability to make plays after the catch is impressive. Jones’ competitive nature and work ethic should make him a favorite of Ravens’ coaches, who place a premium on tough, gritty players.
While Jones may not have the blazing speed or elite explosiveness of some of the top receivers in this draft, his high football IQ, reliable hands, and consistency would make him a perfect complement to the other wideouts in Baltimore’s system. He could quickly develop into a trusted chain-mover for Lamar Jackson, and his technical skills could allow him to thrive in the Ravens’ offense right away.
Fifth Round (Pick 160): Taron Vincent, Defensive Tackle, Ohio State
Though the Ravens have established themselves as a defensive powerhouse over the years, adding another interior defensive lineman to the mix could help solidify their defensive line. Taron Vincent from Ohio State is a powerful and athletic defensive tackle who can contribute in both run defense and pass rush situations.
Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 310 pounds, Vincent is a strong player who can shed blockers with ease and disrupt the quarterback’s pocket. He’s not an elite pass rusher, but his strength and ability to control the line of scrimmage make him a valuable asset. The Ravens can afford to take a developmental player here and allow Vincent to grow into a rotational player over time.
In this 2025 mock draft, the Ravens add a dynamic safety and wide receiver, two key positions that have been in need of an upgrade. With Jordan Battle, Zay Flowers, and Kyu Blu Kelly, the Ravens are addressing their most pressing concerns while providing Lamar Jackson with more weapons on offense and giving their defense a more versatile, impactful secondary. This draft class could be the key to pushing the Ravens back into title contention as they continue their quest for another Super Bowl.