The Baltimore Ravens have had quite the turnover in their secondary this offseason. But with 11 draft picks, expect them to address their new depth concerns with at least one of them. General manager Eric DeCosta has never been shy about targeting local talent, and there’s a good chance he’ll go that route again.
Last year, the Ravens brought in Beau Brade, a safety from Maryland who worked his way onto the 53-man roster. Funny enough, Brade’s replacement for the Terrapins was the man of the hour, Dante Trader Jr.
Trader Jr.’s versatility is his calling card. While he’s not the biggest safety in the draft, he shows up all over the field. Don’t be surprised if he makes a sizable leap on draft night as teams dig into his toolbox and recognize the relatively raw potential he brings to the table.
Maryland Safety Dante Trader Jr. 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes
- Height: 5-foot-11
- Weight: 202 pounds
- Recruiting: 2021 3-star, No. 600 national, No. 49 CB
- Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Semifinalist
Positives
- Instinctive zone defender with natural feel for spacing, quarterback reads, and closing windows before the ball gets there
- Reliable tackler in space who takes great angles, wraps up with clean form and limits yards after contact
- Versatile chess piece who can drop deep, roll into the box, or slide into big nickel without looking out of place
- High-motor run defender who triggers fast, meets ball carriers with force and isn’t afraid to do the dirty work inside
To put it simply, Trader Jr. is a jack of all trades, master of none. He doesn’t shy away from contact, and his instincts pop on tape. He’s calculated in his angles and wraps up with consistency. He also comes from a chess background, which hints at the kind of mental processing that could help him thrive in more complex NFL schemes.
He’s not just a run-stopper either. He’s almost a Kyle Hamilton-lite—able to line up deep, take some slot reps, and play in the box. And let’s not forget: he figures to be a Day 1 contributor on special teams. There’s a universality to his game that would translate in just about any defensive system.
Negatives
- Man coverage can get dicey, especially against quicker slots and twitchy tight ends—tends to lose leverage and gets caught guessing at the break
- Not a true enforcer type, more of a wrap-and-drag tackler than a highlight hitter—doesn’t always bring that “tone-setting” presence over the middle
- Ball skills need a jump, solid at getting to the catch point but leaves plays on the field
Of course, like most prospects, he’s not a finished product. His biggest weakness right now is a lack of true ball skills. To be an elite safety, he’ll need to start converting more of those pass breakups into takeaways. He’s also not a thumper, so he’s not forcing many fumbles either.
Man coverage is another concern. It’s likely why he’s a safety and not a full-time cornerback. His stickiness needs work, especially against shifty slot receivers or athletic tight ends. But those are the types of traits that new senior secondary coach Chuck Pagano can help refine.
Dante Trader Jr. NFL Player Comparison: Jordan Whitehead
- Primary Comp: Jordan Whitehead
- Alternative: Xavier Woods
- Floor Comp: Nick Scott
A strong NFL comparison for Trader Jr. is Jordan Whitehead. Both are undersized but physical safeties who thrive in zone-heavy schemes and make their presence felt in the run game. Like Whitehead, Trader has quick feet, good instincts, and breaks well on the ball, making him a natural fit in two-high or split-safety looks.
Neither guy has elite speed or man-coverage chops, especially against twitchy tight ends, but both make up for it with reliability, awareness, and a strong downhill trigger. Whitehead carved out a role by being versatile, smart, and tough—all things that fit Trader Jr.’s projection. He may not light up the stat sheet, but he could be the kind of tone-setting safety who always seems to be in the right spot.
Dante Trader Jr. 2025 NFL Draft Grade: Late 4th/Early 5th
Ultimately, it’ll come down to the tape. Trader Jr. isn’t racking up accolades like some of the other defensive backs in this class, and that might hurt him on draft day. We have him going late fourth round-early fifth. But with his special teams upside, football IQ, and do-it-all ability, don’t be shocked if he outperforms his draft selection.
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