We’re just 10 days away from the Titans being on the clock in Round 1, and the next two weeks will be about finalizing draft boards.
Baltimore has the 27th overall pick in the first round, one spot ahead of the Detroit Lions and just behind the Los Angeles Rams. The Ravens have picked at No. 27 twice in franchise history, selecting wide receiver Rashod Bateman in 2021 and cornerback Jimmy Smith in 2011.
Baltimore has needs at cornerback, offensive guard, and edge rusher, and there are questions about whether Eric DeCosta will draft for need, take the best player available, or let the board dictate what happens.
With the draft fast approaching, we’re looking at 11 ideal candidates.
Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia
A former two-sport athlete who ran track in high school, Mondon won a pair of national championships and SEC titles during his four-year career with the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker battled through injuries his junior and senior seasons, but remained productive. In 2024, Mondon logged 57 tackles, three sacks, and three pass deflections. He finished the year as Georgia’s seventh-leading tackler. Mondon posted 39 tackles and three sacks down the stretch over Georgia’s final five games.
Overall, Mondon played in 51 games in his UGA career. He recorded 213 total tackles, including 17.5 tackles for a loss.
Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
In 2023, Booker surrendered just four pressures and one sack over 13 starts at left guard. Booker and Andrew Vorhees would give Baltimore two young, athletic offensive guards for the future while solidifying the offensive line for years to come outside of the left tackle spot currently manned by Ronnie Stanley.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge, Boston College
Ezeiruaku is a bit undersized (6-3, 248 pounds) but uses his 34-inch arms and elite first-step speed to get around the edge and under the hands of offensive tackles. He was highly productive this past season, with 80 tackles and 16.5 sacks, the second-best mark in the FBS.
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Ravens tendered defensive back Ar’Darius Washington and have second-year safeties Beau Brade and Sanoussi Kane as potential starters. Starks played three seasons for the Bulldogs, recording 197 total tackles, 17 pass deflections, and six interceptions in his collegiate career. In the 2024 season, he had 77 total tackles, four for loss, and one interception. He was an All-American in 2023.
Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Skattebo just completed an all-purpose season for the ages after racking up 1,711 yards rushing (5.8 yards per carry), 605 yards receiving (13.4 yards per catch) and 25 total touchdowns while leading Arizona State to an 11-3 record and a Big 12 championship. In Arizona State’s thrilling 39-31 double-overtime loss to Texas in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, Skattebo rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns and caught eight passes for 99 yards. He also threw a 42-yard touchdown pass.
David Walker, OLB, Central Arkansas
Walker is a highly productive FCS prospect, logging 31 sacks and 63 tackles for loss in three seasons while making numerous All-American teams. Walker was a 2024 United Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-UAC, FCS All-American, and FCS Defensive Player of the Year.
Mykel Williams, ED, Georgia
Williams was a second-team All-SEC selection during the 2024 college football season. Williams racked up 67 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks in 40 games.
Walter Nolen, DI, Mississippi
The All-American from Ole Miss fits the bill. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound dynamo led the Ole Miss defense in 2024, logging 48 tackles (career-high), two pass deflections (career-high), one fumble recovery, and 6.5 sacks (career-high).
James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
The 6-foot-5, 243-pound Pearce led Tennessee in sacks (7.5), tackles for loss (13), and quarterback hurries (10), while adding a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2024. Pearce earned first-team All-SEC honors and was a semifinalist for the Bednarik, Lombardi, and Walter Camp Player of the Year awards. He also earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2023, when he had 10 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hurries, an interception return for a touchdown and two forced fumbles.
Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
In his three seasons at Texas A&M, Stewart recorded 65 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He also added four passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, and two forced fumbles. Stewart brings good size, length, and frame for the position, but needs to be more consistent.
Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
During the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Walker was measured in at 6-foot-1, 243 pounds in Indianapolis with an armspan of 79⅞ inches — the reach length scouts want in rushers. By comparison, Ole Miss All-American Walter Nolen’s armspan, at 6-foot-3¾ and 296 pounds, was measured at 78⅝ inches. Walker was the Butkus Award winner as the nation’s best linebacker this past season as he led the Bulldogs’ defense in tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (6.5), with three of those sacks coming against Texas.
Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
Watts began his college career as a receiver in 2020 and moved to defense in his second season with the Irish. He had 13 interceptions over the past two seasons, more than any player in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He picked off six passes this season, running one back 100 yards to help Notre Dame seal its win against Southern California. He was voted to the Associated Press All-America first team in back-to-back seasons.
Marcus Wehr, OL, Montana State
Wehr started his career at Montana State as a defensive lineman before making the switch to the offensive line in 2022. In his first season,, he started five games before suffering a season-ending injury. The following season, Wehr started 11 games at right tackle and one game at right guard. This past season, Wehr started all 16 games at right guard for Montana State. He’s one of the best offensive linemen in the FCS, based on his accolades (All-America first team, unanimous All-Big Sky Conference first team)
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Morrison’s final season in South Bend was cut short due to a hip injury. In six games, Morrison recorded 20 tackles and four pass deflections. His hip injury comes after having shoulder surgery leading up to the 2024 campaign. Baltimore has Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey as starters, while T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis, and Chidobe Awuzie will vie for a starting spot.
Nic Scourton, Edge rusher, Texas A&M
Scourton is built like and plays like a Raven. Scourton was one of the highest-rated transfers ahead of the 2024 season due to his combination of size and speed. Standing at 6-4 280 pounds, he had 10 sacks and 50 tackles in his 2023 season at Purdue and finished his career at Texas A&M with five sacks, a forced fumble, 37 tackles, and two passes defended.
Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
Thomas is a smooth, fluid athlete who started all 12 games at cornerback and was second on the team with 52 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and four pass breakups. Thomas is an intriguing cornerback prospect from Florida State who combines impressive length and size with promising physical tools at 6’1″ and 191 pounds.
Tate Ratledge, OL, Georgia
Ratledge significantly helped his NFL draft stock at the NFL scouting combine. At Georgia, Ratledge earned two All-SEC selections and was a third-team AP All-American selection in 2024.
Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
Carter is an experienced player with 2,499 career college snaps. He’s found success as a Blitzer and has graded out well against the run, according to PFF’s metrics. In coverage, he’s allowed over 13.0 yards per catch the last two seasons with a completion rate of 63% and three pass breakups.
Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
The former walk-on made his first start in the third game this season and became an AP First-Team All-American. Schwesinger’s big break came in the third game of the season, after talented pass rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo moved from linebacker to defensive end.
Schwesinger was named an Associated Press First-Team All-American, a Butkus Award finalist, and made the All-Big Ten first team. He led the conference with 136 total tackles, 11.3 total tackles per game, 90 solo tackles, 7½ solo tackles per game, and nine double-digit-tackle games.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 11 ideal prospects for the Ravens after free agency
We’re just 10 days away from the Titans being on the clock in Round 1, and the next two weeks will be about finalizing draft boards.
Baltimore has the 27th overall pick in the first round, one spot ahead of the Detroit Lions and just behind the Los Angeles Rams. The Ravens have picked at No. 27 twice in franchise history, selecting wide receiver Rashod Bateman in 2021 and cornerback Jimmy Smith in 2011.
Baltimore has needs at cornerback, offensive guard, and edge rusher, and there are questions about whether Eric DeCosta will draft for need, take the best player available, or let the board dictate what happens.
With the draft fast approaching, we’re looking at 11 ideal candidates.
Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia
A former two-sport athlete who ran track in high school, Mondon won a pair of national championships and SEC titles during his four-year career with the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker battled through injuries his junior and senior seasons, but remained productive. In 2024, Mondon logged 57 tackles, three sacks, and three pass deflections. He finished the year as Georgia’s seventh-leading tackler. Mondon posted 39 tackles and three sacks down the stretch over Georgia’s final five games.
Overall, Mondon played in 51 games in his UGA career. He recorded 213 total tackles, including 17.5 tackles for a loss.
Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
In 2023, Booker surrendered just four pressures and one sack over 13 starts at left guard. Booker and Andrew Vorhees would give Baltimore two young, athletic offensive guards for the future while solidifying the offensive line for years to come outside of the left tackle spot currently manned by Ronnie Stanley.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge, Boston College
Ezeiruaku is a bit undersized (6-3, 248 pounds) but uses his 34-inch arms and elite first-step speed to get around the edge and under the hands of offensive tackles. He was highly productive this past season, with 80 tackles and 16.5 sacks, the second-best mark in the FBS.
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Ravens tendered defensive back Ar’Darius Washington and have second-year safeties Beau Brade and Sanoussi Kane as potential starters. Starks played three seasons for the Bulldogs, recording 197 total tackles, 17 pass deflections, and six interceptions in his collegiate career. In the 2024 season, he had 77 total tackles, four for loss, and one interception. He was an All-American in 2023.
Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Skattebo just completed an all-purpose season for the ages after racking up 1,711 yards rushing (5.8 yards per carry), 605 yards receiving (13.4 yards per catch) and 25 total touchdowns while leading Arizona State to an 11-3 record and a Big 12 championship. In Arizona State’s thrilling 39-31 double-overtime loss to Texas in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, Skattebo rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns and caught eight passes for 99 yards. He also threw a 42-yard touchdown pass.
David Walker, OLB, Central Arkansas
Walker is a highly productive FCS prospect, logging 31 sacks and 63 tackles for loss in three seasons while making numerous All-American teams. Walker was a 2024 United Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-UAC, FCS All-American, and FCS Defensive Player of the Year.
Mykel Williams, ED, Georgia
Williams was a second-team All-SEC selection during the 2024 college football season. Williams racked up 67 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks in 40 games.
Walter Nolen, DI, Mississippi
The All-American from Ole Miss fits the bill. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound dynamo led the Ole Miss defense in 2024, logging 48 tackles (career-high), two pass deflections (career-high), one fumble recovery, and 6.5 sacks (career-high).
James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
The 6-foot-5, 243-pound Pearce led Tennessee in sacks (7.5), tackles for loss (13), and quarterback hurries (10), while adding a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2024. Pearce earned first-team All-SEC honors and was a semifinalist for the Bednarik, Lombardi, and Walter Camp Player of the Year awards. He also earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2023, when he had 10 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hurries, an interception return for a touchdown and two forced fumbles.
Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
In his three seasons at Texas A&M, Stewart recorded 65 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He also added four passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, and two forced fumbles. Stewart brings good size, length, and frame for the position, but needs to be more consistent.
Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
During the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Walker was measured in at 6-foot-1, 243 pounds in Indianapolis with an armspan of 79⅞ inches — the reach length scouts want in rushers. By comparison, Ole Miss All-American Walter Nolen’s armspan, at 6-foot-3¾ and 296 pounds, was measured at 78⅝ inches. Walker was the Butkus Award winner as the nation’s best linebacker this past season as he led the Bulldogs’ defense in tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (6.5), with three of those sacks coming against Texas.
Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
Watts began his college career as a receiver in 2020 and moved to defense in his second season with the Irish. He had 13 interceptions over the past two seasons, more than any player in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He picked off six passes this season, running one back 100 yards to help Notre Dame seal its win against Southern California. He was voted to the Associated Press All-America first team in back-to-back seasons.
Marcus Wehr, OL, Montana State
Wehr started his career at Montana State as a defensive lineman before making the switch to the offensive line in 2022. In his first season,, he started five games before suffering a season-ending injury. The following season, Wehr started 11 games at right tackle and one game at right guard. This past season, Wehr started all 16 games at right guard for Montana State. He’s one of the best offensive linemen in the FCS, based on his accolades (All-America first team, unanimous All-Big Sky Conference first team)
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Morrison’s final season in South Bend was cut short due to a hip injury. In six games, Morrison recorded 20 tackles and four pass deflections. His hip injury comes after having shoulder surgery leading up to the 2024 campaign. Baltimore has Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey as starters, while T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis, and Chidobe Awuzie will vie for a starting spot.
Nic Scourton, Edge rusher, Texas A&M
Scourton is built like and plays like a Raven. Scourton was one of the highest-rated transfers ahead of the 2024 season due to his combination of size and speed. Standing at 6-4 280 pounds, he had 10 sacks and 50 tackles in his 2023 season at Purdue and finished his career at Texas A&M with five sacks, a forced fumble, 37 tackles, and two passes defended.
Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
Thomas is a smooth, fluid athlete who started all 12 games at cornerback and was second on the team with 52 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and four pass breakups. Thomas is an intriguing cornerback prospect from Florida State who combines impressive length and size with promising physical tools at 6’1″ and 191 pounds.
Tate Ratledge, OL, Georgia
Ratledge significantly helped his NFL draft stock at the NFL scouting combine. At Georgia, Ratledge earned two All-SEC selections and was a third-team AP All-American selection in 2024.
Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
Carter is an experienced player with 2,499 career college snaps. He’s found success as a Blitzer and has graded out well against the run, according to PFF’s metrics. In coverage, he’s allowed over 13.0 yards per catch the last two seasons with a completion rate of 63% and three pass breakups.
Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
The former walk-on made his first start in the third game this season and became an AP First-Team All-American. Schwesinger’s big break came in the third game of the season, after talented pass rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo moved from linebacker to defensive end.
Schwesinger was named an Associated Press First-Team All-American, a Butkus Award finalist, and made the All-Big Ten first team. He led the conference with 136 total tackles, 11.3 total tackles per game, 90 solo tackles, 7½ solo tackles per game, and nine double-digit-tackle games.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 11 ideal prospects for the Ravens after free agency
