The 2025 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and while all eyes will be set on night one to see which prospects teams select in the first round, Days 2 and 3 are where the money is made.
Whether it's future stars, rotational players, or substantial depth, most NFL teams’ rosters hinge on those mid-round selections. Eric DeCosta and the Ravens have become famous for their deep prospect analysis and lengthy draft boards.
So who could Baltimore’s front office target in the middle rounds to help build a stronger backbone for this team in 2025?
Three mid-round draft prospects Ravens must target
Kevin Winston Jr: Safety, Penn State
One of the top needs that Baltimore needs to address in this year’s draft is defensive back. Whether it’s cornerback, safety, or both, there’s a desperate need for defensive back depth and star power. Kevin Winston Jr. could give the Ravens what they’re looking for.
Winston would allow Kyle Hamilton to move back to his do-it-all role. With Ar’Darius Washington breaking out and filling one safety spot, the Penn State product could play alongside him, pushing Hamilton back down closer to the line of scrimmage.
Winston, a Maryland native, had a strong showing in his sophomore season and everyone was eager to see what he could contribute during his junior campaign. However, a partially torn ACL cut his season short, and as a result, it looks like he’ll be a later day-two pick.
The 21-year-old would be the perfect pairing with Washington. He offers a physical playstyle that brings pop and he can consistently bring down ball carriers. He pairs this with above-average athleticism and the ability to cover tight ends and break up passes. There is some worry about coverage skills, as he can be a step slow in diagnosing routes and may struggle to turn and run with quicker receivers. However, the potential is through the roof.
Tate Ratledge: Offensive Guard, Georgia
The Ravens’ offensive guard room is built of mostly bigger, more physical blockers. Daniel Faalele, Andrew Vorhees, and Ben Cleveland are all mauler-type guards, who lack above-average athleticism. Tate Ratledge, one of the draft’s best athletes on the O-line, could add something new to the group.
Ratledge has been battle-tested at Georgia, and he’s a winner. Since coming to Athens in 2020, the 23-year-old has been a major part of their winning culture. He's a two-time champion, even starting in their championship in 2022.
His demeanor tells the story of a player ready to go to war on each down. Ratledge can be found doing the dirty work and playing through the whistle of every snap. He comes into blocks with his hair on fire ready to dominate in the trenches. He’s dominant in the run game, where he can control blocks and seal rushing lanes.
The troubles with Ratledge lie in his measurables. His arms are shorter than most linemen, and his hands can quickly get displaced against longer pass rushers. However, his technique is sound, and he possesses a high blocking IQ, making him a valuable Day 2 prospect. If he makes it to Baltimore in the second round and the guard spot hasn’t been addressed yet, Ratledge could be the guy.
Jeffrey Bassa: LB, Oregon
After the losses of Malik Harrison and Chris Board in the offseason, the Ravens' linebacker depth looks slim. Outside of Roquan Smith, there’s no proven linebacker on the team. The signing of Jake Hummel adds talent as a special teamer, but the current landscape has Trenton Simpson as the next man up after Smith. Since Simpson fell out of favor with the coaching staff last season, Jeffrey Bassa is a player who could quickly find himself starting in Baltimore.
Bassa came to Oregon as a safety, and it shows on tape. He can fly for a linebacker, giving him sideline-to-sideline range and helping him run with most routes stride-for-stride. He’s shown flashes in all three phases — blitzing, defending the run and covering. Bassa’s also proven to be a consistent wrap-up tackler and can stay off blocks, raising his ceiling.
The former Duck is still learning the position, so his instincts aren’t fully developed. His reaction quickness and nose for the ball carrier can be a tick slow, especially in the run game. He can also be overpowered at the point of attack due to his slighter frame.
He could be an option late in the third round or near the start of Day 3, so while he’s still coming along as a player, his communication and love for the game make him a desirable prospect with a bright future.
As it stands, the Ravens need some crucial depth. They’ll look to find a few key contributors with the middle to late-round draft picks, as they continue to fill out the roster and prepare for the 2025 season.