With the 2025 NFL draft concluding on Saturday, WGAL is examining each draft selection for the local teams around the Susquehanna Valley. In this edition, we are looking at the Baltimore Ravens. Round 1, No. 27 overall – Georgia S Malaki Starks Heading into the draft, one of the Ravens’ biggest needs was in the secondary at safety and cornerback.One of my favorite picks of the entire first round was Baltimore’s selection of Malaki Starks. Starks was the top safety prospect in the draft, and the Ravens wasted no time in selecting the 2024 second-team All-SEC defender. After losing Marcus Williams in free agency, Starks should plug in as a starter, opposite of all-pro Kyle Hamilton at safety. Starks can play at free safety or close to the line of scrimmage. The Ravens wanted to move Hamilton back to playing deep safety, and with the selection of Starks, they have the opportunity to do so. The Ravens allowed the fewest points in the NFL (15.4) in its last eight weeks when Kyle Hamilton moved to deep safety, according to ESPN.Draft grade: A+Round 2, No. 59 – Marshall defensive end Mike GreenThe Ravens did another excellent job of addressing a major need at defensive end in the second round with the powerful Mike Green. Green led the FBS in sacks (17) and had 22 tackles for loss, trailing only No. 3 overall selection Abdul Carter in 2024. Green possibly fell due to character concerns, but the Ravens are an organization that can turn that around. Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, and David Ojabo are all entering the final year of their contracts. Green will serve as a rotational defensive end to begin his career, but could easily elevate to a starter in 2026. Draft grade: A Round 3, No. 91 – LSU OT Emery Jones Jr. With no backup offensive tackles on the active roster behind Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten, the Ravens filled one of their biggest offensive needs in Jones. Playing exclusively at right tackle in college with over 2,300 snaps, Jones will work as the swing tackle in 2025.Draft grade: ARound 4, No. 129 – California LB Teddye BuchananAfter losing two middle linebackers in free agency, the Ravens had to address depth at the position. Buchanan led Cal’s defense with 114 tackles and 12 tackles for loss.Look for him to compete with Trenton Simpson for the starting weak-side linebacker. If he doesn’t win the starting spot, he will be used on special teams. Draft grade: B+Round 5, No. 141 – Alabama A&M OT Carson VinsonThe Ravens solved one of their reserve tackle positions in the third round and found another two rounds later in Vinson. Vinson was the only player from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to be invited to the NFL Combine and Senior Bowl this season. He will take some time adjusting to the NFL after playing in the FCS and will more than likely be the No. 4 tackle on the team.Draft grade: B-Round 6, No. 178 – Western Michigan CB Bilhal KoneGeneral manager Eric DeCosta said that the Ravens would draft a cornerback, selecting Kone, who played primarily as an outside corner. He won’t start in 2025, but the Ravens needed to add depth to a thin room. Draft grade: BRound 6, No. 186 – Arizona K Tyler LoopLoop made history as the first kicker selected by the Ravens in team history. With Justin Tucker being investigated by the NFL for sexual misconduct allegations, the Ravens felt the need to take a kicker with a cannon for a leg. Loop converted 6 of 9 attempts from 50-plus yards, including making a 62-yarder last season. At the NFL combine, Loop hit 13 of 14 field goal attempts (93.3%) and finished by making a 60-yarder. Draft grade: ARound 6, No. 203 – Colorado WR LaJohntay WesterIn 2024, the Ravens struggled to get going in the punt return game, finishing 16th in the NFL in punt return average (9.7) with four separate players. Wester is fast and averaged over 12 yards per punt return at Colorado, including a 76-yard touchdown return. Look for him to take over as primary punt return and used as a reserve at wide receiver. Draft grade: B+Round 6, No. 210 – Virginia Tech DT Aeneas PeeblesI think the Ravens found great value in Peebles, who was projected to go as high as the third or fourth round in the draft. His 25 pressures were tied for the most among ACC defensive tackles.With Michael Pierce retiring, the Ravens did not have a lot in way of depth behind the starters at defensive tackle. Draft grade: ARound 6, No. 212 – Rutgers CB Robert LongerbeamFor the fourth time in five seasons, the Ravens drafted two cornerbacks in the NFL draft.Longerbeam displayed good ball skills at Rutgers in 2024, racking up 30 pass breakups. He should slot in as the reserve nickel corner for the Ravens after measuring in under six feet.Draft grade: B Round 7, No. 243 – LSU G Garrett DellingerAfter taking two tackles earlier in the draft, the Ravens added some depth along the interior with Dellinger. He has experience with 30 career starts, 24 at left guard. Dellinger was flagged just twice for penalties in 1,937 snaps.Draft grade: B
With the 2025 NFL draft concluding on Saturday, WGAL is examining each draft selection for the local teams around the Susquehanna Valley.
In this edition, we are looking at the Baltimore Ravens.
Round 1, No. 27 overall – Georgia S Malaki Starks
Heading into the draft, one of the Ravens’ biggest needs was in the secondary at safety and cornerback.
One of my favorite picks of the entire first round was Baltimore’s selection of Malaki Starks.
Starks was the top safety prospect in the draft, and the Ravens wasted no time in selecting the 2024 second-team All-SEC defender.
After losing Marcus Williams in free agency, Starks should plug in as a starter, opposite of all-pro Kyle Hamilton at safety.
Starks can play at free safety or close to the line of scrimmage. The Ravens wanted to move Hamilton back to playing deep safety, and with the selection of Starks, they have the opportunity to do so.
The Ravens allowed the fewest points in the NFL (15.4) in its last eight weeks when Kyle Hamilton moved to deep safety, according to ESPN.
Draft grade: A+
Round 2, No. 59 – Marshall defensive end Mike Green
The Ravens did another excellent job of addressing a major need at defensive end in the second round with the powerful Mike Green.
Green led the FBS in sacks (17) and had 22 tackles for loss, trailing only No. 3 overall selection Abdul Carter in 2024.
Green possibly fell due to character concerns, but the Ravens are an organization that can turn that around.
Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, and David Ojabo are all entering the final year of their contracts. Green will serve as a rotational defensive end to begin his career, but could easily elevate to a starter in 2026.
Draft grade: A
Round 3, No. 91 – LSU OT Emery Jones Jr.
With no backup offensive tackles on the active roster behind Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten, the Ravens filled one of their biggest offensive needs in Jones.
Playing exclusively at right tackle in college with over 2,300 snaps, Jones will work as the swing tackle in 2025.
Draft grade: A
Round 4, No. 129 – California LB Teddye Buchanan
After losing two middle linebackers in free agency, the Ravens had to address depth at the position.
Buchanan led Cal’s defense with 114 tackles and 12 tackles for loss.
Look for him to compete with Trenton Simpson for the starting weak-side linebacker. If he doesn’t win the starting spot, he will be used on special teams.
Draft grade: B+
Round 5, No. 141 – Alabama A&M OT Carson Vinson
The Ravens solved one of their reserve tackle positions in the third round and found another two rounds later in Vinson.
Vinson was the only player from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to be invited to the NFL Combine and Senior Bowl this season.
He will take some time adjusting to the NFL after playing in the FCS and will more than likely be the No. 4 tackle on the team.
Draft grade: B-
Round 6, No. 178 – Western Michigan CB Bilhal Kone
General manager Eric DeCosta said that the Ravens would draft a cornerback, selecting Kone, who played primarily as an outside corner.
He won’t start in 2025, but the Ravens needed to add depth to a thin room.
Draft grade: B
Round 6, No. 186 – Arizona K Tyler Loop
Loop made history as the first kicker selected by the Ravens in team history.
With Justin Tucker being investigated by the NFL for sexual misconduct allegations, the Ravens felt the need to take a kicker with a cannon for a leg.
Loop converted 6 of 9 attempts from 50-plus yards, including making a 62-yarder last season. At the NFL combine, Loop hit 13 of 14 field goal attempts (93.3%) and finished by making a 60-yarder.
Draft grade: A
Round 6, No. 203 – Colorado WR LaJohntay Wester
In 2024, the Ravens struggled to get going in the punt return game, finishing 16th in the NFL in punt return average (9.7) with four separate players.
Wester is fast and averaged over 12 yards per punt return at Colorado, including a 76-yard touchdown return.
Look for him to take over as primary punt return and used as a reserve at wide receiver.
Draft grade: B+
Round 6, No. 210 – Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles
I think the Ravens found great value in Peebles, who was projected to go as high as the third or fourth round in the draft.
His 25 pressures were tied for the most among ACC defensive tackles.
With Michael Pierce retiring, the Ravens did not have a lot in way of depth behind the starters at defensive tackle.
Draft grade: A
Round 6, No. 212 – Rutgers CB Robert Longerbeam
For the fourth time in five seasons, the Ravens drafted two cornerbacks in the NFL draft.
Longerbeam displayed good ball skills at Rutgers in 2024, racking up 30 pass breakups. He should slot in as the reserve nickel corner for the Ravens after measuring in under six feet.
Draft grade: B
Round 7, No. 243 – LSU G Garrett Dellinger
After taking two tackles earlier in the draft, the Ravens added some depth along the interior with Dellinger.
He has experience with 30 career starts, 24 at left guard. Dellinger was flagged just twice for penalties in 1,937 snaps.
Draft grade: B