Central Michigan v Notre Dame | Justin Casterline/GettyImages
The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and as usual, the Baltimore Ravens head into it without any glaring roster holes. With 11 picks in hand and a rock-solid core already in place, General Manager Eric DeCosta has the flexibility to approach this draft like he usually does: best player available, most likely with a heavy lean toward defense.
That said, most fans and analysts have been zoning in on the trenches for Round 1. Whether it’s Georgia’s Mykel Williams, Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., or even a dark horse like Alabama's offensive guard Tyler Booker, the assumption has been that Baltimore would bulk up in the front seven—or maybe trade back and scoop up value on Day 2. But that’s not what Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman has in mind.
In a new mock that embraces surprise first-round picks, Wasserman projects the Ravens to do something unexpected (but also expected) for a pretty obvious reason: select Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison with the No. 27 overall pick.
Benjamin Morrison projected to Ravens in PFF surprise mock draft
Wasserman laid out a pretty compelling case for Morrison going in Round 1, despite most projections slotting him on Day 2:
“If there were full confidence in his recovery from hip surgery, Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison would likely be a first-round pick,” Wasserman writes. “He earned an elite 90.5 coverage grade over three seasons in South Bend — an especially impressive mark given Notre Dame’s frequent use of man coverage. Adding Morrison to a secondary that already features Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey could make life difficult for opposing offenses.”
First off, Morrison is definitely a name Ravens fans have heard in draft circles. He’s a long, physical corner with excellent instincts and ball skills—nine picks and 19 breakups in 31 games doesn’t happen by accident. His poise in man coverage fits what Baltimore asks of its corners, and the flexibility to line up inside or outside only adds to his value. The potential pairing with Nate Wiggins for the foreseeable future is an awesome thought.
But the reason he’s not a consensus Round 1 guy is simple: injury. That's the only reason. Morrison underwent hip surgery in October and missed most of the 2024 season. That’s the kind of medical red flag that usually causes a player of Morrison's caliber to slide. But if the Ravens’ staff is comfortable with his recovery—and DeCosta sees him as a long-term starter opposite Wiggins—it’s really not all that far-fetched.
The Ravens lost Brandon Stephens, Marcus Williams, and Arthur Maulet to the offseason. They could definitely use some defensive back reinforcements. While Chidobe Awuzie brings them a nice depth piece, there's a reason why the Tennessee Titans cut bait. DeCosta himself compared corners to Bugattis at his pre-draft presser, so don't be surprised if a name or two from that group is called.
So would it be surprising? Probably not. Would it be smart? Yes... with the contingency he's healthy. Because if Morrison hits, the Ravens might just walk away from Round 1 with one of the best corners in the class just like they did last year.