Interior defensive linemen don’t usually get much shine when it comes to draft pick history, but Pro Football Focus just gave Baltimore Ravens fans a new reason to pay attention to No. 27 this year.
According to Max Chadwick’s breakdown of the highest-graded first-rounders at every pick slot of the past decade, Kenny Clark of the Green Bay Packers holds the crown at No. 27 overall with an 88.4 career PFF grade.
Clark, who the Packers drafted in 2016, earned his stripes early. His 2017-18 run as one of the NFL’s top interior defenders made that pick feel like a steal. The problem? Since then, his play and production have dipped, and now his seat at No. 27 feels more vulnerable than it has in years. For Baltimore, that’s a target worth circling.
The Ravens own the 27th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. And with a few high-upside prospects in the mix, they just might have a shot to unseat Clark as the best to come out of that slot.
6 prospects Ravens must draft to unseat Kenny Clark at No. 27
Grey Zabel: OL, North Dakota State
Zabel might not be a household name, but he’s as Ravens-y as they come. He’s played every line position except center and brings grit, toughness, and above-average footwork. Baltimore values that type of interior flexibility, and if he’s there, he’d make for an instant contributor with long-term starter upside.
Jahdae Barron: CB, Texas
Baltimore loves versatility in the secondary, and Barron brings it in spades. He’s lined up everywhere from boundary corner to box safety and thrives in off-coverage. He doesn’t have elite speed, but the instincts are top-tier. If Baltimore wants another young, do-it-all chess piece alongside Kyle Hamilton and Nate Wiggins, this is your guy.
James Pearce Jr.: EDGE, Tennessee
Let’s be honest: if Pearce falls to 27, Eric DeCosta should sprint to the podium. Pearce is a twitchy, bendy pass rusher with real explosion and double-digit sack potential. Baltimore’s pass rush rotation is good—not great. Pearce would change that fast.
Malaki Starks: S, Georgia
Starks is a clean fit for Zach Orr's system—smart, rangy, and physical. He’s played deep safety and slot, with the football IQ to bait quarterbacks and the athleticism to finish. If the Ravens want to future-proof the secondary with a leader and tone-setter, Starks brings both immediately.
Tyler Booker: OG, Alabama
If the team wants to keep its identity as a gap-heavy, power-run team, Booker is the tone-setter inside. He’s a nasty finisher who moves bodies in the run game and plays with enough savvy in pass pro to start early. With Patrick Mekari gone, Booker could step into that role without missing a beat.
Walter Nolen: DT, Ole Miss
Nolen is all raw power and violent movement up front. He’s not a refined technician yet, but he’s the kind of athlete the Ravens could mold into something scary. With Michael Pierce retiring, Nolen’s explosiveness and gap-shooting potential make him a plug-and-play disruptor on early downs—especially in a rotational role alongside Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones.