The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
With 2025 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2025 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Baltimore Ravens, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the Baltimore Ravens rookies?
- Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
- Mike Green (EDGE, Marshall)
- Emery Jones Jr. (OT, LSU)
- Teddye Buchanan (LB, Cal)
- Carson Vinson (OT, Alabama A&M)
- Bilhal Kone (CB, Western Michigan)
- Tyler Loop (K, Arizona)
- LaJohntay Wester (WR, Colorado)
- Aeneas Peebles (DT, Virginia Tech)
- Robert Longerbeam (CB, Rutgers)
- Garrett Dellinger (OG, LSU)
Baltimore Ravens Draft Class Grade:
The Baltimore Ravens received a B- draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Ravens Rookies Will Make An Impact?
Baltimore elected to continue rebuilding the secondary with the selection of Malaki Starks (first round), the second consecutive year the team has addressed the unit in the first round. Starks should primarily serve as the free safety, with Kyle Hamilton in the strong safety role.
Although Starks has been praised for his football IQ, there are concerns about his range in the deep secondary, especially given Baltimore’s tendency to line up in single high formations (62% rate in 2024).
Mike Green (second round) is a tough selection to assess because of conflicting football and off-field related issues. The Ravens, while dealing with the fallout of Justin Tucker’s sexual assault allegations, probably should have stayed away from the prospect with two sexual assault accusations in his past. From a football standpoint, however, it’s easy to understand the team’s interest in Green, who generated a 22% pressure rate when quarterbacks took a traditional dropback last year.
Emery Jones Jr. (third-round pick) was a three-year starter at right tackle at LSU and will have an opportunity to compete with Roger Rosengarten for that job. If he loses, he’ll be the swing tackle and may also get some reps at guard in training camp. Jones is just 21 years old, so the Ravens are likely less concerned with his short-term contributions and will try to develop him for a starting role down the road.
Jones will be joined on the offensive line by Carson Vinson (fifth round), who was a five-year starter at Alabama A&M. Vinson has the size and length (34.5-inch arms) the Ravens typically look for in tackles, so the Ravens will try to groom him for a role in the future.
Teddye Buchanan (fourth round) was added for depth at linebacker. Both Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson are under contract for multiple years. Expect Buchanan to see significant action on special teams.
Bilhal Kone (sixth round) and Robert Longerbeam (sixth round) will compete for a job in the crowded secondary. There appear to be at least five cornerbacks ahead of them on the depth chart, however, so it won’t be easy to earn a roster spot. Kone probably has more upside of the two given his size and testing numbers. With extensive experience on special teams, he has a decent chance to earn a job.
Tyler Loop (sixth round) will be expected to replace Tucker at kicker. He clearly has the leg for the job, nailing 11 of 15 attempts of at least 45 yards last year at Arizona, including a long of 62 yards.
Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester (sixth round) was the Ravens’ only offensive skill position addition. Wester’s best chance to earn a spot on the roster will probably be as the punt returner. Baltimore used six different players to return kicks in 2024, and the primary returner, Chris Collier, is no longer on the roster.
Aeneas Peebles (sixth round) is a potential steal for the Ravens, as he was one of the most dangerous interior pass rushers in the college game in recent years. Peebles generated an 11.7% pressure rate from the interior last year, the second-best rate among Power Four defensive tackles. Size is the reason Peebles was available in the sixth round. He’s just 282 pounds with 31-inch arms. He was likely removed from many boards entirely for failing to meet certain weight and length thresholds, but he’s well worth the gamble late on Day 3.
Garrett Dellinger (seventh round) has a surprisingly clear path to a roster spot given the Ravens' lack of depth on the interior offensive line. Dellinger primarily played guard at LSU, but he also saw some action at center and left tackle. If he can provide five-position versatility, he’ll stick around the league even if he never earns a starting job.
The Ravens put together a unique draft class. We don’t often see teams spend six picks in the final two rounds. This was likely done in an effort to stockpile rookie contracts on the back end of the roster. Lamar Jackson’s cap hit continues to rise ($43.5 million this year, $74.5 million the following two), so it will be critical for those young rookies to earn their keep in reserve roles to offset that price tag.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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- Rookie draft class deep dive into impact for every team
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