2025 NFL Draft: Identifying Ravens' Best And Worst Draft Pick

Newsweek

29-04-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The Baltimore Ravens have a reputation as being one of the best drafting teams in the league.
It's hard to see that reputation changing at all after the 2025 NFL Draft. The team picked a whopping 11 players, and several of these players could be ticketed for big roles.
Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.In the first round, the team selected Malaki Starks, a talented safety prospect out of Georgia. Starks receives praise for his toughness and leadership and should thrive in Baltimore's system.
In the second round, the team added edge-rusher Mike Green. Green was widely expected to be a top-20 pick in the draft, but some troubling allegations caused the pass-rusher to slip.
Some of the teams' other notable picks include offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr., linebacker Teddye Buchanan, cornerback Bilhal Kone, and defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles.
Now, let's identify the best and worst pick the team made over the weekend.
Best: Round 1, Pick 27- Malaki Starks, WR, Georgia
You don't have to go far to find the Ravens' best pick.
The team's selection of Malaki Starks in the first round was not only incredible value, but it also fills a need. Kyle Hamilton is an elite safety, and now the team has a potentially elite running mate in Starks.
Starks is a tackling machine who is elite against the run and holds his own in pass coverage. Some mock drafts had the defender going in the top-10, yet the Ravens got to stand pat and select Starks at the bottom of the first round.
The Ravens routinely stand pat and let good players come to them. That's exactly what happened here, and the team didn't overthink it.
Worst: Round 5, Pick 141- Carson Vinson, OL, Alabama A&M
The Ravens had a good draft and I didn't hate any of these selections, but if I had to pick the worst one, it would be Carson Vinson out of Alabama A&M in the fifth round.
The Ravens already took one developmental offensive lineman in Emery Jones Jr. Offensive line depth was a concern, but Vinson played at the FCS level, and competing against lesser compeition may mean Vinson needs a ton of developing.
At this point in the draft, the Ravens would have been better off addressing another area of need, like the defensive line. When the team took Vinson, talented defensive linemen who could've made an impact immediately like Rylie Mills, Jordan Phillips, or Ty Hamilton were all available.