2025 NFL Draft grades aren’t as heavily favored toward the Ravens as years prior.
It’s about this time each year where the Baltimore Ravens are showered in praise for being a dominant drafting organization. Curiously, that hasn’t been the case this year. Instead, it’s a hodge-podge of A’s, B’s and a C grade.
Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer: “Grade: A. The Ravens should be the prime example of “letting the draft come to them.” They needed more safety playmaking and added a lot more production to the pass rush while getting two early first-round defensive talents in Starks and Green. Jones also filled a need for a backup tackle option. Don’t sleep on Buchanan being a dream tackler for them.”
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter: “Grade: A. The Ravens are perennial contenders because they let the draft board come to them. Starks will be a playmaker no matter where he lines up. Green was still available late in Round 2 because of off-field concerns, but he has a chance to provide a lot of value off the edge. Jones could be a solid starter at guard or tackle in time. Buchanan met a need for Baltimore and Peebles should immediately step into the D-line rotation. The Ravens took a massive tackle in Vinson and a tough guard in Dellinger, who will compete for playing time early. The fluid Kone and quick Longerbeam figure to make an impact in the secondary as rookies. Loop might be the replacement for Justin Tucker amid questions about his future with the team. Wester is a tough, quick slot receiver and punt returner.”
Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi: “Grade: B+. S Malaki Starks (27) is mature, talented and can thrive on a team that knows how to develop safeties. Edge Mike Green Jr. (59) is excellent value. He was a first-round projection who slipped due to off-field concerns. OT Emery Jones Jr. (91) and LB Teddye Buchanan (129) are possible Day 3 steals.”
CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso: “Grade B+. General manager Eric DeCosta is one of the savviest decision-makers in football, routinely allowing the draft to come to him. Starks creates a crowded element in the safety room, but he can do it all as a defensive back. Green and Buchanan are two explosive defenders up front with modern-day, well-rounded games, and Jones and Vinson are two developmental types up front on offense, although Jones is much closer to being starter-ready. Kone has the ball skills to be a starting outside corner sooner than later, and there probably was a legitimate need to add a new kicker. Keep an eye on Peebles as an explosive interior pass-rusher. Great Round 6 find. Another prudent draft weekend for Baltimore.”
The Score’s Dan Wilkins: “Grade: B+. Starks is the quintessential Ravens pick; it shouldn’t be surprising they were the ones to scoop him up when he fell further than expected in the first round. His instincts, range, and ball skills will make him a great fit next to Kyle Hamilton in the secondary. Green fills a big need on the edge, and the expected first-round pick was available on Day 2 because he’s twice been accused of sexual assault. Jones is a talented lineman who could have some starter upside with a transition inside to guard, and Buchanan’s coverage skills at linebacker made him one of my hidden gems of this class. Another strong year for Baltimore.”
USA Today’s Nate Davis: “Grade: B. From a football perspective, they got two standouts in the first two rounds with S Malaki Starks and OLB Mike Green, respectively – each addressing what are among the few needs for one of the league’s powerhouses, Starks likely to start from Day 1. Green led FBS with 17 sacks in 2024 and could make an immediate splash, too. Still, as much as GM Eric DeCosta defended Green’s selection, it’s a pretty bad organizational look. The Ravens have significant issues here currently with K Justin Tucker (who they are apparently in the process of replacing with sixth-rounder Tyler Loop) and in their past – yet chose a guy with multiple sexual assault allegations in his past (Green has denied both). Baltimore is a more talented football team today than it was a week ago, but at what cost?”
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame: “Grade: B. Baltimore has a type, and it certainly stuck to it this year. The Ravens took Starks in the first round to pair with Kyle Hamilton, giving them one of the league’s top safety pairings if Starks reaches his full potential. They also landed Green in the second round, a first-round talent who fell due to sexual assault allegations. Jones is a value pick on the offensive line, but whether he sticks at tackle or kicks inside remains to be seen.”
The Washington Post’s Mark Maske: “Grade: B-. Put aside the propriety of whether the Ravens should have drafted pass rusher Mike Green despite his off-field issues — particularly given that their longtime kicker, Justin Tucker, is being investigated by the NFL under its personal conduct policy. Both players have denied wrongdoing. Purely on football considerations, the Ravens fortified their defense meaningfully by getting safety Malaki Starks in the first round and Green in the second. They did far less to help quarterback Lamar Jackson and the offense. The selection of kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round gives the Ravens a potential alternative to Tucker.”
New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy: “Grade: B-. Starks-Kyle Hamilton could quickly become the NFL’s best young safety tandem. Green in the late second round was great football value, but his two separate sexual assault allegations (both denied) brought more focus to veteran kicker Justin Tucker’s ongoing sexual misconduct investigation. Jones has inside-outside versatility.”
The Ringer’s Danny Kelly: “Grade: C. The Ravens scooped up excellent value in Georgia safety Malaki Starks, a versatile playmaker in the secondary who should complement Kyle Hamilton perfectly and give defensive coordinator Zach Orr incredible flexibility. In the second round, Baltimore added Marshall edge rusher Mike Green, whose draft-day fall stems primarily from the two separate accounts of sexual assault that have surfaced, one from high school and another from college (he was not charged in either case). The team addressed offensive line depth by grabbing LSU tackle Emory Jones Jr. and Alabama A&M’s Carson Vinson and added some defensive depth in Cal linebacker Teddye Buchanan and Western Michigan corner Bilhal Kone. Starks is the anchor of this class, but outside of that, I’m left with some concerns. Vinson, Kone, and Green all come from smaller schools, and Green’s background is troubling. They also drafted kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round to ostensibly replace Justin Tucker, after 16 massage therapists have come forward with detailed accounts of his sexual misconduct. Overall this doesn’t feel like a typical Ravens home run draft.”