2025 NFL draft: Mel Kiper breaks down which key position can get Ravens over the hump
After months of waiting, we're just ten days away from Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft, where Tennessee is expected to land Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick. Baltimore will pick at No. 27 overall, and the assumption is that the Ravens will add another defender to the roster.
The question becomes, does Eric DeCosta draft another cornerback in the first round, or should he pivot and add an edge rusher, or dynamic safety. Legendary ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper was a guest on 'The Lounge Podcast' and joined team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing to break down why he loves Georgia safety Malaki Starks, and why a top pass rusher like Shemar Stewart suits Baltimore best.
Stewart would bring athleticism and physicality to a position that will see Van Noy one year older and Ojabo likely as the odd man out. Baltimore was third in the NFL with 34.5 sacks, but the team needs an edge rusher to complement Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh. David Ojabo has underperformed, while Tavius Robinson and Adisa Isaac have yet to produce on a week-to-week basis.
Stewart joined Texas A&M as one of the top recruits in the 2022 class, appearing in 37 games for the Aggies over the last three seasons and amassing 65 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, four passes defensed, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in those games. The production from a sack and pressure standpoint was lacking at times. Still, Stewart cemented his status at the NFL Scouting Combine, weighing 267 pounds and recording an unofficial Relative Athletic Score of 10.00, surpassing former A&M star Myles Garrett.
If it's safety, Malaki Starks could make Kyle Hamilton even more dangerous thanks to both players' versatility. Starks played three seasons for the Bulldogs, recording 197 total tackles, 17 pass deflections, and six interceptions in his collegiate career. In the 2024 season, he had 77 total tackles, four for loss, and one interception. He was an All-American in 2023.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Orioles top prospect Dylan Beavers to make his major league debut
HOUSTON (AP) — Touted prospect Dylan Beavers is set to make his major league debut after the Baltimore Orioles selected the outfielder's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday. Beavers, rated Baltimore's No. 3 prospect by was the 33rd overall pick by the Orioles in the 2022 amateur draft. The left-hander slugger spent this season at Norfolk, where he hit .304 with 18 homers, 51 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 94 games. The 24-year-old is expected to boost an outfield that sent center fielder Cedric Mullins to the Mets at the trade deadline. The 6-foot-5, 206-pound Beavers was drafted by Baltimore after three college seasons at California. The Orioles designated outfielder Greg Allen for assignment to make room for Beavers on the roster. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Baltimore Orioles' Brandon Young loses perfect game in heartbreaking fashion
Baltimore Orioles rookie Brandon Young was closing in on a perfect game, a feat that had the entire stadium on the edge of their seats. However, it was not to be as he lost it in a cruel fashion on Friday, Aug. 15, resulting in the Houston Astros' only hit in Baltimore's 7-0 victory at Daikin Park. In what was nearly eight flawless innings during his 11th career start, Young retired 23 Houston batters before allowing a two-out infield single in the eighth inning to Ramón Urías, a former Oriole who had been traded to the Astros. Urías hit a ground ball in Young's vicinity, and although Young quickly fielded the ball, he threw wide of first base. More: From nightmare to no problem: How workers in two cities handled Phillies' travel debacle The error allowed Urías to advance to second base, ending what could have been a perfect game. The play was ruled a hit, ending Young's no-hitter. 'I thought I could make the play,' Young said, according to 'I got there in time. I think I had a little more time to maybe take a step and make a better throw. I obviously rushed it, yanked it. It sucks. Definitely want it back.' Young got the final out of the inning and Baltimore's Yaramil Hiraldo pitched the ninth as Young picked up the first victory of his career in a familiar spot. Young grew up in Texas and had gone to the Houston stadium as a child. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Orioles rookie Brandon Young loses perfect game in cruel fashion
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lions' 1,001-yard, 7-TD WR faces fantasy bust warning in 2025 drafts
Lions' 1,001-yard, 7-TD WR faces fantasy bust warning in 2025 drafts originally appeared on The Sporting News Ben Johnson is no longer with the Detroit Lions. That means there will be questions about how the offense will perform under new coordinator John Morton. Under Johnson, the Lions offense was one of the most feared in the league. Now, uncertainty looms over whether that success can continue. Pessimism will outweigh optimism, and some players are expected to regress. Fantasy football managers must steer clear of those risks. Wide receiver Jameson Williams is one of them. According to CBS Sports' fantasy football expert Ryan Wooden, Williams is now facing a fantasy football bust warning for 2025. Despite the strong production in 2024, Wooden's model lists the receiver as one of the players to avoid in upcoming fantasy drafts. The primary reason for this dark outlook lies in Detroit's offensive changes. Wooden points out that "the man calling the plays is different." Williams' improvement last season was largely attributed to Johnson's offensive schemes. Statistically, the wideout had immense growth under Johnson with 58 receptions, 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns, up from just 24 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns in the previous year. Wooden explained that "Williams benefited from Johnson's ability to scheme the speedy receiver open down the field and into space." Now, that opportunity may no longer be available to the same extent. The model ranks the receiver outside the top 40 at his position for the 2025 season. Considering the offensive uncertainty and current draft position, Wooden's model sees the Lions WR as "a prime candidate for a 2025 fantasy football bust." So, be cautious.
