Championship windows don’t last forever—but if you’re the Baltimore Ravens, you’ve got a compelling case that window isn't shutting any time soon.
In a new Pro Football Focus piece, Zoltán Buday looked ahead to the future and ranked the top 10 NFL teams with the biggest Super Bowl windows beyond 2025. No surprise here: the Ravens made the list. But what stood out wasn’t just the praise—it was the balance Buday struck between short-term strength and long-term sustainability.
As Buday put it:
“While Baltimore’s roster is set up to win now, it also has a relatively big window to compete, especially with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson still being only 28 years old. The Ravens added a handful of young players who became immediate contributors in recent years, with some playing at a very high level, such as safety Kyle Hamilton and center Tyler Linderbaum, who both ranked among the top three at their positions in 2024 with PFF overall grades of 90.0 and 79.9, respectively.”
He’s right. The foundation is as strong as it’s ever been. But Buday also flagged some fair concerns—specifically the age and short-term roles of players like Derrick Henry and Kyle Van Noy. The good news? This draft class is loaded with answers to both.
The 2025 NFL Draft is a perfect chance to extend Baltimore’s championship window
Let’s start with Henry. He’s 31, on a short-term deal, and while his 1,900-yard campaign last year was jaw-dropping, it’s smart business to start thinking about his successor now—not later. Lucky for the Ravens, the 2025 draft class is deep at running back.
If they want power and production, UCF’s RJ Harvey or Miami’s Damien Martinez could be great Day 3 options. If they want a potential three-down guy who can grow into the RB1 role, names like Cam Skattebo (Arizona State), TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State), and Dylan Sampson (Tennessee) make perfect sense on Day 2. None need to carry the load now. They just need to learn behind Henry—and be ready when the time comes.
Now let’s talk edge rushers. Van Noy will turn 35. Odafe Oweh is in a contract year. David Ojabo is still an unknown. If Baltimore’s going to keep getting after quarterbacks at a high level, it needs fresh juice on the outside.
This is where guys like Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College), Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), and Nic Scourton (also Texas A&M) come into play. Ezeiruaku is twitchy, polished, and NFL-ready. Stewart has a freakish build and high-upside traits. Scourton’s toolbox makes him an ideal fit for Baltimore’s 3-4 scheme. These are plug-and-develop types—guys who can rotate early and start later.
And if one of the big fish like James Pearce Jr. or Mykel Williams falls to pick 27? That’s a home run swing Eric DeCosta probably doesn't think twice about.
The Ravens already have the franchise quarterback, the all-world middle linebacker, and a secondary with young stars. But sustaining a window means reloading before the need becomes a crisis. This draft lets them do just that.
So yes—Buday’s right. The window is open. But if DeCosta plays this right, fans better get used to the breeze, because that thing isn’t closing anytime soon.