NFL Draft best available players for Baltimore Ravens: Jaydon Blue, kicker prospects
The Ravens started the 2025 draft with defense, taking Georgia safety Malaki Starks in the first then stopping the slide of Marshall edge rusher Mike Green, who likely dropped due to two sexual assault allegations in his past (he denies both), in the second. They finished Day 2 by addressing the O-Line with LSU's Emery Jones Jr., who could be viewed as a potential starting guard or a swing tackle.
Baltimore has eight picks to work with on Day 3; these are some of the players who could make sense on Saturday.
(Ravens have two picks in the fourth round at Nos. 129 and 136; one pick in the fifth at No. 176; four in the sixth at Nos. 183, 203, 210 and 212; and one pick in the seventh at No. 243)
Korie Black, CB, Oklahoma State: A three-year starter, Black had a strong senior season with three interceptions and nine pass breakups. He's a long outside corner and plays with physicality and attitude. Black started 38 games in college and brings special teams value.
Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas: Despite being part of a running back-by-committee at Texas, Blue managed 1,098 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024. Due to his explosiveness, receiving ability and special teams experience, he could find his place in a crowded backfield.
Andres Borregales, K, Miami: With Justin Tucker's future uncertain, the Ravens have done extensive work on kickers. Brugler ranks Borregales as the top kicker in the draft after a season in which he made 18 of 19 field goal attempts and all 62 of his extra-point tries. Borregales was 7-of-10 from 50-plus yards in his college career.
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Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State: Ravens senior special teams coach and kicking guru Randy Brown led a private workout for Fitzgerald last week. He made all 13 of his field goal attempts last year and was 5-of-5 from 50-plus yards, including a 59-yarder.
Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech: While the Ravens don't currently need a tight end, that could change if they deal Mark Andrews this offseason. Hawes, who started his college career at Yale, had 51 catches over four college seasons. He's one of the most physical and technically sound blocking tight ends in the draft, and that appeals to the run-heavy Ravens.
Shemar James, ILB, Florida: Per Brugler, James models his game after Ravens 2020 first-round pick Patrick Queen. James was a two-year starter at Florida who plays with speed and energy, but he has to show better play recognition. He had 64 tackles and two sacks last season.
Kyle Kennard, DL, South Carolina: He's coming off a season in which he had 11 1/2 sacks and became the first South Carolina player to win the Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation's top defensive player. At 6-foot-4, 254 pounds, Kennard lacks a cohesive pass-rush plan and doesn't stand out as a run defender, but he has a nose for the quarterback.
Keandre Lambert-Smith, WR, Auburn: The Penn State transfer developed into a major big-play threat in his final college season, finishing second in the SEC in receiving yards per game (81.8) and top-10 nationally in yards per catch (19.6). He's a deep threat, which is a piece the Ravens could use.
Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech: At 5-foot-10, 191 pounds, Lane projects as a slot receiver at the next level. It's his return skills that should intrigue the Ravens. He averaged 10.9 yards per punt return and 21.8 yards per kickoff return to go along with two return scores in college.
Rayuan Lane III, S, Navy: A four-year starter at Navy, Lane III established himself as a ball hawk and one of the country's top special teams players. Lane, who grew up in Baltimore and attended the Ravens' local pro day, had six interceptions and five forced fumbles over his final two college seasons.
Smael Mondon Jr., ILB, Georgia: He's one of the best athletes in the draft. A three-year starter at Georgia, Mondon plays with physicality and explosiveness — durability questions likely pushed him to Day 3. Mondon was one of the Ravens' top-30 visits.
Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State: Reed was a defensive enforcer for the Nittany Lions, leading the team in tackles (98) and tying for the team lead in interceptions (three). The 6-foot, 211-pound safety loves getting downhill and trying to land big hits on the ball carrier. He does have some lapses in discipline.
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Elijah Simmons, DT, Tennessee: A projected NFL nose tackle, Elijah Simmons ultimately could replace the retired Michael Pierce and play behind Travis Jones. Simmons didn't play many snaps at Tennessee, and his production has never really matched his ability, but he has upside as an early-down run stuffer.
Jackson Slater, G/C, Sacramento State: Slater is a natural guard, but he took reps at all five positions during the Senior Bowl. He has the versatility and size (6-foot-3, 311 pounds) to be a potential NFL starter.
Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M: One of the top non-FBS prospects in the draft, Vinson was a five-year starter at Alabama A&M. At 6-foot-7, 314 pounds, he possesses strong physical traits and plays with good balance and power.
(Photo of Jaydon Blue: Tim Warner / Getty Images)
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The betting pick is for Namajunas to beat Maverick by decision. *Odds via BetMGM Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley - Welterweight Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick - Women's Flyweight Cody Garbrandt vs. Raoni Barcelos - Bantamweight Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage - Middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Petroski - Middleweight Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy - Light Heavyweight Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato - Light Heavyweight Michael Chiesa vs. Court McGee - Welterweight Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Kris Moutinho - Bantamweight Cody Durden vs. Jose Ochoa - Flyweight Ricky Simón vs. Cameron Smotherman - Bantamweight Phil Rowe vs. Ange Loosa - Welterweight Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Vanessa Demopoulos - Women's Flyweight Buckley to beat Usman via KO/TKO: +140 Namajunas to beat Maverick via decision: -185 Maverick to beat Namajunas via decision: +300 Edmen Shahbazyan to beat Andre Petroski via KO/TKO in Round 1: +245 Petroski to beat Shahbazyan via decision: +375 Cody Garbrandt to beat Raoni Barcelos via KO/TKO: +285 Mansur Abdul-Malik to beat Cody Brundage by KO/TKO: -325 Abdul-Malik to beat Brundage in Round 1: -105 Abdul-Malik to beat Brundage in Round 2: +275 Alonzo Menifield to beat Oumar Sy: +500 *All bets and odds via BetOnline Stay tuned for more coverage for tonight's UFC Atlanta fight card: Usman vs. Buckley, including results, video highlights and more from the UFC Fight Night event.
