Pre-Draft State of the Roster: Defense

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than a month away, and the Ravens will have 11 picks to augment their roster. Here’s where the offense stands after free agency and how it will impact the draft, along with a few potential fits at each position.

Interior Defensive Line

Likely roster spots: Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington

Room to add: I’m hoping the Ravens still re-sign Brent Urban, but Jones is entering a contract year and Washington could be a cap casualty next offseason. Madubuike leads at least one long-term running mate from this draft class, and its depth should encourage the Ravens to double-dip. I’d love to take an athletic interior disruptor and a run-stuffing nose tackle to continue Baltimore’s history of drafting and developing defensive linemen.

Potential draftees: Derrick Harmon, Tyleik Williams, Alfred Collins, C.J. West, Jordan Phillips, Ty Robinson, JJ Pegues

Edge Defender

Likely roster spots: Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac, David Ojabo

Room to add: I’m higher on this group than most: Robinson took clear steps forward in 2024 and Isaac will benefit from a full, healthy offseason. But Ojabo could be on the roster bubble and Oweh and Van Noy are slated to hit free agency in 2026. I think EDGEs will come off the board quickly, so the team may have to use one of their first three picks to secure a premium talent.

Potential draftees: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Nic Scourton, Landon Jackson, Quandarrius Robinson, Kaimon Rucker

Pre-Draft State of the Roster: Offense

Linebacker

Likely roster spots: Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Jake Hummel

Room to add: Baltimore will hope that Simpson can emerge as a better running mate for Smith, but they still need depth defensively and on special teams. A thin linebacker class will likely rule out any Day 1 or 2 picks at the position, but there are a host of Day 3 players who profile as potential Ravens.

Potential draftees: Chris Paul Jr., Jack Kiser, Teddye Buchanan, Jeffrey Bassa

Cornerback

Likely roster spots: Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Chidobe Awuzie, T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis

Room to add: The Ravens filled their short-term need by signing Awuzie, and I think Tampa could be a future starter on the outside. Still, no NFL team can never have enough corners, and Baltimore especially needs to add another nickel from this class. Other positions will likely be higher priorities early on, but Baltimore could look to catch a falling corner late on Day 2 or early on Day 3.

Potential draftees: Benjamin Morrison, Darien Porter, Jacob Parrish, Denzel Burke

Safety

Likely roster spots: Kyle Hamilton, Ar’Darius Washington, Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade

Room to add: Washington will hit free agency after 2025, so the Ravens should be looking for a long-term running mate for Hamilton who can play a third safety role as a rookie. I’m a huge fan of this draft class, which includes a number of players with strong coverage profiles that Baltimore should covet. Baltimore should avoid targeting more safeties like Kane and Brade who can run the alley and play special teams but lack NFL coverage chops.

Potential draftees: Malaki Starks, Xavier Watts, Andrew Mukuba, Malachi Moore

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/04/11/nfl-draft/pre-draft-state-of-the-roster-defense/