The 2025 Big Board is finally here. The goal of this pre-draft process is simple. Find which players at which positions fit the Ravens needs for 2025 and beyond. Then, estimate how much draft capital each player is worth to the Ravens. Over 180 players were reviewed this year.
Because the Ravens have pick 27 in the first round, many of the “famous” expected round one prospects were not reviewed. They simply have no chance of falling to Baltimore. The first round Ravens targets I list below are those who: (a) fill a significant need, and (b) have a reasonable chance of falling to within “range” of the Ravens pick number 27. This allows for the possibility that the Ravens might covet a player so much that they are willing to trade up to get him.
Before I get to the actual 2025 Big Board, there are a few other considerations for draft night. They focus on whether, and who, the Ravens are prepared to trade on Thursday night.
Ravens Potential Player Trades
There are three players who, under the right circumstances, the Ravens could part with in a trade. Mark Andrews is the obvious one.
Mark Andrews
To my mind, Eric DeCosta has made it very clear that he’s open for business for anyone interested in acquiring Andrews. I don’t think the Ravens are focused on trading Andrews due to his playoff failures. Rather, it’s mostly about contracts and Isaiah Likely.
Andrews is 30 years old and in the final year of his contract. The Ravens currently are $11.46 million under the salary cap. However, given their current 11 picks in the 2025 draft, the Ravens must allocate $3,087,000 of that cap for those picks. This leaves them with $8.3 million of available cap space.
It’s easy to see that if the Ravens intend to offer long term contracts to Kyle Hamilton, Isaiah Likely, and Tyler Linderbaum this year (each of whom will be an unrestricted free agent after 2026), they need a whole lot more cap space. If the Ravens trade Andrews, they will save $11 million in cap space immediately.
Secondarily, if the Ravens retain Andrews and he signs with someone else in 2026, the Ravens won’t receive any draft compensation until 2027. And the quality of any compensatory pick for Andrews depends on the size of the contract Andrews then commands (among other things). If he suffers a significant injury in 2025, or his performance materially declines, the value of the compensatory pick becomes negatively impacted. Effectively, the Ravens, by retaining Andrews, take this risk. They could wind up with a fifth round, sixth round, or even possibly just a seventh round compensatory pick for Andrews in 2027.
For all of these reasons, if there’s a reasonable suitor for Andrews on draft night, I expect Eric DeCosta to pull the trigger.
Teams That Might Want Andrews
This is actually a decently long list. What transpires within the first 15 picks of round one will be meaningful. I can realistically envision each of the following teams having an interest in Andrews:
New England
Miami
Indianapolis
Denver
Los Angeles Chargers
New York Giants
Andrews’ Trade Value
I believe the most motivated suitors for Andrews are New England (who spent a ton in free agency this year), Indianapolis, Denver (which believes its on a serious upward trajectory), and the Chargers. Could Andrews command a third round pick? If there’s a bidding war, perhaps the answer is yes.
Let’s say the Chargers are willing to surrender their third round pick. Under the old Jimmy Johnson trade value chart, that selection is worth 160 points of draft capital. Assume the Ravens are targeting someone in the first round who is not likely to reach them. That 160 points, when combined with the value of the Ravens first round pick (680 points), gives the Ravens a total of 840 points. That equates to the 20th pick in round one. Andrews could be traded so the Ravens move up in round one.
By happenstance Denver, a reasonably likely suitor for Andrews, currently owns pick 20 in the first round. Their third-round pick is worth 165 points. Would Denver consider trading pick 20 and their third-round pick for Andrews and the Ravens pick 27? That doesn’t seem crazy.
Of course, the Ravens could simply swap Andrews for a third rounder in these scenarios. No need to get fancy.
It might be more realistic to conclude Andrews will bring fourth-round compensation. But who knows. There are lots of possibilities.
Justin Tucker
No need to rehash that story. The Ravens are obviously contemplating a replacement for Tucker in 2025. Might anyone be interested in acquiring him for any compensation for the certainty that he’s on their roster? I don’t think that’s likely, but it’s not inconceivable. Tucker’s issues might not be seen as serious by some other teams, especially since there’s no allegation since 2016. Tucker’s leg still looked very strong at the end of 2024. At least one team might want him.
The Ravens would not get any salary cap relief by trading Tucker.
Odafe Oweh
Readers know that I’m a bigger fan of Oweh than the Ravens are. Oweh is on a one-year deal now with a 2025 cap number of $13.2 million. If the Ravens trade him, they recap that entire amount for cap purposes. I already believe that edge linebacker is the primary or second need for the 2025 team. After Oweh and Kyle Van Noy, they have no impactful edge rusher.
A trade of Oweh would lock the Ravens into selecting an edge linebacker, probably in round one. Now, Oweh was productive last year, even given his still minimized snap count, which puzzles me to no end. I believe he still has some rushing upside. Any rookie the Ravens draft, even a top-tier edge rusher rookie, has the risk of the NFL unknown. There’s a not insignificant risk the Ravens, by trading Oweh, wind up netting-out worse off in 2025.
But given that the Ravens apparently aren’t offering Oweh a long-term deal, it’s realistic to believe they might consider trading him now.
It’s a deep edge rusher class. There should be enough potential buyers for Oweh. What’s he worth? I could see a fourth rounder. Maybe he’s worth a third to a team like Dallas, who could team him up with Micah Parsons, or the Lions who could do the same with Aidan Hutchinson. You get the idea. A team that already has a tier-one rush linebacker would, by pairing Oweh, allow him to flourish on the opposite side.
Now, onto the 2025 Big Board.
Round One – First Take
Not taking trades into account, I have seven first round candidates who I believe the Ravens should target:
Maliki Starks, safety.
Mike Green, edge linebacker.
Shemar Stewart, edge linebacker.
Mykel Williams, edge linebacker.
Will Johnson, cornerback.
Kelvin Banks, Jr., guard (but he could also be a tackle).
Tyler Booker, guard.
As readers know, I’m not as big of a fan of safety Nick Emmanwori, who many pundits believe to be the best safety in the draft. I’ve given my reasons here. It’s just opinion, after all, but I think Starks is a much better fit for the Ravens.
Among my seven players, five of them play the positions that I believe are the greatest needs of the 2025 Ravens: edge linebacker (three), safety (one), and cornerback (one). In this draft there are very viable safeties and edge linebackers who could be had in the second and third rounds. The cornerback group is very weak at the top of the draft.
If all seven of these players are available at pick 27, for me the Ravens choice should be between Will Johnson and Maliki Starks. Johnson, to remind readers, has some injury history and it’s critical that the Ravens are satisfied with his medical report.
The problem here is that it’s reasonably likely that neither player will get anywhere near pick 27.
If the Ravens are targeting Starks, and there are sound reasons that they should, who the Dolphins select at pick 13 could be key. Miami has a big safety need. If they go in that direction, do they prefer Starks or Nick Emmanwori? If Starks survives that selection, there’s a good case to conclude he makes it to pick 27.
What If Starks and Johnson are Gone, Then Who?
What’s the order among the other five first round candidates?
If Mike Green’s character checks out, he might be the first. But if his character checks out, he’ll be long gone. At that point the choice comes down between going in the direction of another edge rusher, or guard.
The Allure, and Risk, of Shemar Stewart
I don’t think as highly of Mykel Williams as I do of Shemar Stewart. Yes, there’s that concern that Stewart, a truly amazing athlete, might be Odafe Oweh all over again. But Stewart is already something that Oweh isn’t. He’s an elite edge setter and run defender. I believe Stewart’s lack of sacks will disappear in the NFL with proper coaching. And remember, Stewart secured plenty of pressures. Odafe Oweh is a good athlete. Shemar Stewart is an athletic freak. Take a look at my Stewart analysis, found here.
But What About Guard?
However, there’s a very good argument that the Ravens, notwithstanding their defensive needs, should go in the direction of either Banks or Booker. Banks brings positional versatility at guard or tackle. Each player brings tremendous power to the inside. Booker, who I favor slightly because of his dominance in the run game, would bring a great physical presence to the inside.
Generally, I don’t favor drafting guards in the first round. But if Starks and Williams are both gone, there’s a good case the Ravens should go in that direction.
First Round – A Sleeper
Let’s assume that Starks and Williams are gone by pick 27. One player for whom I did not provide a written review but who could sneak in here is Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons. He suffered a left knee patella injury requiring surgery and missed the last ten games of the 2024 season. Without that injury Simmons was a surefire first round selection, and arguably the best left tackle in the class.
I don’t know the status of his recovery, and medicals are critical in considering Simmons. If the Ravens conclude he will be ready for the season, they could slide him in at left guard until they are ready to move on from Jonathan Ogden. And he could serve as their swing tackle. To be clear, Simmons won’t bring to the interior the brute force of Tyler Booker, who is a pure guard. But he should solidify the interior pass protection (where the Ravens fared poorly last year) and wind up as a starting left tackle in a year or two.
I apologize to loyal readers for failing to write-up Simmons. But until I sat down to pen this post, the possibility of Simmons being the Ravens choice at pick 27 hadn’t crossed what’s left of my mind.
2025 Big Board: First Round – Final Order
My favorite outcomes for round one are in this order:
- Maliki Starks, safety.
- Will Johnson, cornerback.
- Shemar Stewart, edge linebacker.
- Tyler Booker, guard.
- Kelvin Banks, guard.
- Mike Green, edge linebacker.
- Josh Simmons, offensive tackle.
- Mykel Williams, edge linebacker.
2025 Big Board: Round Two Favorites
I have no shame in admitting that I love defensive tackle Darius Alexander. He just brings so much to the defensive front. I also really like Carson Schwesinger, but if I’m the Ravens I’m not willing to go this high for an inside linebacker, unless they’ve thrown in the towel on Trenton Simpson.
If the Ravens fail to get Maliki Starks, then Xavier Watts is attractive (though I like three other safeties who I put into round three). And I’d also be satisfied, if they don’t go with Alexander, choosing Derrick Harmon or Shemar Turner.
I have Olu Oladejo ranked much higher than almost everyone. Maybe it’s me being a contrarian. Or maybe I’m just plain wrong. But he wowed me at the Senior Bowl practices, and I like him as an edge rusher a lot more than Nic Scourton.
2025 Big Board: Round Two Picks (in order of preference)
Note: Players preceded by an asterisk are personal favorites.
*Shavon Revel Jr., cornerback.
*Darius Alexander, defensive tackle.
Xavier Watts, safety (if Starks isn’t selected by the Ravens in round one).
*Olu Oladejo, edge linebacker.
Derrick Harmon, defensive tackle.
Tate Ratledge, guard (if medicals are good).
Nic Scourton, edge linebacker.
Shemar Turner, defensive tackle.
Carson Schwesinger, interior linebacker.
Jack Bech, wide receiver.
Donovan Jackson, guard.
Eiljah Arroyo, tight end (if Andrews is traded).
2025 Big Board: Round Three Choices (not in any order)
*Billy Bowman, safety.
Andrew Mukuba, safety.
*Caleb Ransaw, safety/cornerback.
*Bradyn Swinson, edge linebacker.
Donovan Ezeiruake, edge linebacker (almost all observers see him as a first round pick).
Nohl Wiliams, cornerback.
Jacob Parrish, cornerback.
Alfred Collins, defensive tackle.
T.J. Sanders, defensive tackle.
Jordan Phillips, defensive tackle.
Demetrius Knight, inside linebacker.
Shemar James, inside linebacker.
*Brayshul Tuten, running back.
Jalen Royals, wide receiver.
Elic Ayomanor, wide receiver.
Kyle Williams, wide receiver.
Tory Horton, wide receiver.
Terrance Ferguson, tight end.
Oronde Gadsden II, tight end.
Gunnar Helm, tight end.
Charles Grant, offensive tackle.
Ozzy Trapilo, offensive tackle.
2025 Big Board: Round 4
Marques Sigle, safety.
Ashton Gillotte, edge linebacker.
David Walker, edge linebacker.
Darien Porter, cornerback.
Joshua Farmer, defensive tackle.
JJ Pegues, defensive tackle.
Danny Stutsman, interior linebacker.
*Kobe King, interior linebacker.
Kain Medrano, interior linebacker.
Barrett Carter, interior linebacker.
Devin Neal, running back.
*Brashard Smith, running back.
Damien Martinez, running back.
Cameron Williams, offensive tackle.
Dylan Fairchild, guard.
2025 Big Board: Round 5
Jalen Reed, safety.
Zy Alexander, safety.
Jah Joyner, edge linebacker.
Barryn Sorrel, edge linebacker.
Mac McWilliams, cornerback.
Korie Black, cornerback.
*Isaac TeSlaa, wide receiver.
Moliki Matavao, tight end.
Jalin Conyers, tight end.
*Carson Vinson, offensive tackle.
Caleb Rogers, guard.
2025 Big Board: Rounds 6 and 7
Keondre Jackson, safety.
J.J. Roberts, safety.
Craig Woodson, safety.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, edge linebacker.
Upton Stout, cornerback.
Justin Walley, cornerback.
Marcus Harris, cornerback.
Yahya Black, defensive tackle.
CJ West, defensive tackle.
Nazir Stackhouse, defensive tackle.
Eugene Asante, interior linebacker.
Jordan Watkins, wide receiver.
Thomas Fidone III, tight end.
Jalen Travis, offensive tackle.
Daniel Jackson, safety.
Esa Pole, offensive tackle.
Round 1 Prospects I Wouldn’t Draft Given the Ravens Needs
Nick Emmanwori, safety.
Jalon Walker, edge linebacker.
James Pearce, edge linebacker.
Maxwell Hairston, cornerback.
Kenneth Grant, defensive tackle.
Walter Nolen, defensive tackle.
Jihaad Campbell, interior linebacker.
Round 2 Graded Prospects I Wouldn’t Draft
Jahdae Barron, cornerback (everyone has him as a round one player, except yours truly).
Azareye’h Thomas, cornerback.
Tyliek Williams, defensive tackle.
Round 3 Graded Prospects I Wouldn’t Draft
Kevin Winston, safety.
James Sanker, safety.
Lantham Ransom, safety.
Josiah Stewart, edge linebacker.
Jack Sawyer, edge linebacker.
Landon Jackson, edge linebacker.
J.T. Tuimoloau, edge linebacker.
Princely Umanmielen, edge linebacker.
Jordan Burch, edge linebacker.
Benjamin Morrison, cornerback.
Quincey Riley, cornerback.
Dorian Strong, cornerback.
Omarr Norman-Lott, defensive tackle.
Jarquez Hunter, running back.
Tre Harris, wide receiver.
Isaiah Bond, wide receiver.
Savion Williams, wide receiver.
Harold Fannin, Jr., tight end.
Jonah Savaiinaea, guard.
Marcus Mbow, guard.
Miles Frazier, guard.
Your blogger needs a break! But I’ll try to pen something after round one.
