TEAM: Baltimore Ravens
Overall Draft Grade: B+
CLASS OVERVIEW
Total Picks: 11
Primary Needs Entering Draft: Interior Offensive Line, Wide Receiver, Edge Rusher, Cornerback depth, Tight End depth, Defensive Line depth
Positions Addressed: G, EDGE, WR, TE, CB, RB, P, DL
Summary:
With this particular draft, the Ravens knew what they wanted to do as far as their future was concerned since they were going to base their team on their franchise quarterback as well as maintaining a certain style of play. As for the draft itself, they had players who would fit several positions in need, including offensive line positions, pass rushers, wide receivers, as well as defensive back positions. They also managed to get players who may not have contributed much right away but would later be helpful to them. Overall, this can be said to be one of the best drafts the Ravens have done recently.
PICK-BY-PICK BREAKDOWN
Round 1, Pick 14 – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
- Evaluation: Exceptional guard with a high degree of athleticism who regularly creates movement in the running game and is excellent as a pass protector. He has great strength, leverage, and better footwork, which makes him one of the most solid offensive linemen in the draft.
- Value: High-value player and certainly one of the top interior offensive linemen in the draft. Baltimore acquired one of its most needed players who is able to start right away.
- Scheme Fit: Excellent fit within Baltimore’s downhill run scheme as he opens up rush lanes and enhances interior pass protection for Lamar Jackson. However, it also has the versatility to be dominant in zone concepts as a puller.
- Projected Role: Elite Day 1 starter with Hall of Fame potential.
Round 2, Pick 45 – Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
- Evaluation: Possesses the power to dominate the run and pass game. Has a large enough frame making it easy to anchor and take on multiple blocks to allow his teammates to shoot gaps.
- Value: Provides good value considering he addresses an area of need for the Ravens. Even though other players might have had a little more upside, his overall package makes him a safe pick.
- Scheme: Fits right into the Ravens’ style of play as a physical rusher of the quarterback that can also set the edge.
- Projected Role: Rotational edge with starting potential.
Round 3, Pick 80 – Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
- Evaluation: Large-frame wide receiver who possesses a huge catch radius and contested catch abilities. He is an ideal red-zone threat but must show more improved consistency with securing the ball in open space.
- Value: Great value for a wide receiver that has true potential of being a WR2.
- Scheme Fit: Provides Baltimore a true boundary target who can make contested catches as well as create matchup problems down in the red zone.
- Projected Role: WR3 with WR2 potential.
Round 4, Pick 115 – Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
- Evaluation: Polished receiver with good route running and ball skills. Sarratt’s IQ, body control, and reliability in the redzone make up for his lack of speed and overall athleticism.
- Value: Solid fourth round value for a reliable, all-around receiver.
- Scheme Fit: Gives the Ravens a reliable possession receiver behind their numerous starting pass catchers.
- Projected Role: Developmental receiver with a role in rotation early.
Round 4, Pick 133 – Matthew Hibner, TE, SMU
- Evaluation: A versatile offensive weapon that possesses good athleticism and can play multiple positions. Presents interesting upside potential as a developing receiving tight end.
- Value: Poor value because Baltimore traded draft capital to acquire him, even though comparable players were left on the board. They also took Josh Cuevas, a better tight end, one round later.
- Scheme Fit: Fits well into Baltimore’s system as an H-back and receiving tight end.
- Role Projection: Developable Tight End 2/Tight End 3 with specialty package.
Round 5, Pick 162 – Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
- Evaluation: Highly competitive slot corner with great instincts, good ball skills, and effective blitzing. Although undersized for the position, he always manages to make plays.
- Value: Tremendous value pick in the fifth round. Rivers is talented enough that he can easily exceed expectations.
- Scheme Fit: Fits perfectly as a nickel cornerback in this aggressive Baltimore defense under Jesse Minter.
- Projected Role: Will be an immediate sub-package player and special teams player
Round 5, Pick 173 – Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama
- Evaluation: Solid-blocking tight end who understands his assignment and has good hand placement. Plays hard and consistently with knowledge of leverage and toughness.
- Value: Very good value considering that he was considered among the more NFL-ready tight ends in the draft class.
- Scheme Fit: A perfect fit for Baltimore’s physical style offense that likes to use heavy personnel sets.
- Projected Role: Blocking tight end with some decent pass catching upside.
Round 5, Pick 174 – Adam Randall, RB, Clemson
- Analysis: Big, well-rounded runner with ability as a rusher and receiver. His combination of power and receiving ability makes him a tough matchup for any defender.
- Value: Low risk-high reward in the mid rounds based on versatility and athleticism. Can easily turn into more than just a depth piece if fully healthy.
- Scheme Fit: Adds a powerful and versatile back that could see more reps as Derrick Henry slows down.
- Projected Position: RB3 with passing downs usage.
Round 6, Pick 224 – Ryan Eckley, P, Michigan State
- Evaluation: Strong-legged punter, puts the ball inside the 20 from distance regularly.
- Value: Decent value considering they went into the draft needing a punter.
- Scheme: Can contribute immediately on special teams.
- Projection: Starting punter.
Round 7, Pick 250 – Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan
- Evaluation: Tough and disciplined interior defender who doesn’t miss many tackles. Shows effort on defense and is an effective run stopper.
- Value: Great value at this point in the draft with solid production and consistent play.
- Scheme Fit: Fills the need of Baltimore’s defensive line depth as a rotational player against the run.
- Project Role: Rotational defensive tackle.
Round 7, Pick 253 – Evan Beernsten, G, Northwestern
- Evaluation: Proven veteran interior offensive lineman with the versatility and awareness to be a solid role player.
- Value: Solid developmental prospect late in the draft. By taking a versatile interior lineman, Baltimore addressed some of their depth issues up front.
- Scheme Fit: Depth at both center and guard that fits the tough running game scheme that Baltimore runs.
- Role: Interior offensive line reserve.
TOP ADDITION
Olaivavega Ioane, G
Olaivavega Ioane was clearly Baltimore’s best signing and will instantly solve one of the biggest problems that the Ravens had in 2025. Olaivavega’s skillset that combines size, techniques, and pass blocking abilities will instantly improve the offensive line protecting Lamar Jackson. In tandem with Ronnie Stanley, the Ravens may have the ability to open up monstrous holes for Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, and even Jackson on the right side. Olaivavega’s ability to dominate from various run schemes, such as zone running or gap schemes, as well as providing pass protection, makes him a top talent from Day 1.
BIGGEST QUESTION MARK
Matthew Hibner, TE
Matthew Hibner may be the biggest unknown in this year’s draft class, given that the Ravens not only selected him early on in the draft but also moved up to pick him. Although Hibner may provide positional flexibility and athleticism, he was seen as a third-day pick by many analysts, thus raising the question as to whether he was worth the cost that the Ravens had to pay to trade up for him. This move would become questionable after picking up Josh Cuevas in the fifth round.
SLEEPER PICK
Chandler Rivers, CB
There is no doubt that Chandler Rivers has all the necessary tools for him to be a very good value player based on his versatile skills, his intuition, and overall abilities to make plays. Despite being undersized, he always has an impact in a game with his cover skills, blitzing, and special teams plays. Overall, he is very tough, and the Ravens will love him due to his football IQ, competitiveness, and fit to their defense scheme.
SCHEME AND ROSTER FIT ANALYSIS
Scheme Alignment
It is evident that the front office had given much thought into enhancing Lamar Jackson’s supporting cast. The signing of Ioane means a solidification of the interior offensive line. Josh Cuevas, Adam Randall, and Matthew Hibner have further provided much-needed flexibility to the heavy personnel packages in the run game and play action for Baltimore. On the other hand, Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt bring additional size and red zone capabilities to the wide receiver group, who was otherwise limited to Zay Flowers.
Roster Impact
This draft enhances the support system for Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, along with addressing many long-term needs. The immediate addition to the offensive line is Ioane, while Lane and Sarratt provide more depth at the wide receiver position alongside Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. On defense, Young helps solidify the edge rotation, Rivers provides depth to the secondary beside Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, and Benny supports the front beside Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones.
Positional Value
Should compliment Baltimore here as they poured serious draft resources into the premier positions on offensive line, edge, and wide receiver while addressing some clear needs. Ioane, Young and Lane all have positional value and are significant future building blocks. The biggest question on value with this draft class is the trade up to get Hibner, who was a day three guy, and then they drafted Cuevas as well one round later.
FINAL TAKE
The Baltimore Ravens entered the draft with a clear plan and that was to bulk up the roster around Lamar Jackson and improve the depth of the roster at several positions. Olaivavega Ioane is a player that can contribute at the starting level immediately and has the tools to become a cornerstone for the Ravens offensive line for years to come, and will immediately improve their running game as well as pass protection. The Ravens also added depth at the wide receiver, tight end, edge rusher, corner, and both lines of scrimmage which should allow them to increase their overall roster competition. With some questionable pick value selections such as trading up to grab Matthew Hibner, Baltimore seemed to fill many holes to increase depth and ended up with an above average, but solid B+ draft class.
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