The Baltimore Ravens didn’t need to swing for the fences in the 2025 NFL Draft. They just needed to play their game—stay patient, let the board work for them, and trust their evaluations. As usual, General Manager Eric DeCosta and his staff did exactly that, putting together another masterclass that quietly set the table for even more January runs.
From top to bottom, the Ravens found players who fit what they do: physical, smart, high-upside football players who actually match their style. But it’s what they did with their top two picks that really turned heads. Snagging Georgia safety Malaki Starks late in the first round and Marshall pass rusher Mike Green in the second wasn’t just good drafting—it was highway robbery.
Starks and Green are already being talked about as two of the biggest steals of the entire 2025 NFL Draft. And if early predictions are anything close to reality, Baltimore might’ve just walked away with two Day 1 impact players without even breaking a sweat.
Starks and Green viewed as two of the biggest steals
The praise for the Ravens’ draft work is coming in heavy, especially for Malaki Starks. Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team summed it up perfectly: “It’ll shock no one if Starks becomes one of the league’s best safeties and should be an impact player immediately. And yet again, the Ravens grab a big-time playmaker with a bunch of experience, and all they did was sit back and let the draft fall to them.”
Landing Starks at No. 27 was a borderline miracle. Widely graded as a top-15 talent, Starks is already expected to become a major contributor right away—and he should be the perfect complement to Kyle Hamilton on the back end. Don't be surprised if Starks finishes 2025 as a top-five contender for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
And then there’s Mike Green. If not for his off-field issues, Green probably would have been a first-rounder himself. USA Today’s Tyler Dragon pointed out exactly why this pick matters: “The Ravens ranked 29th in the NFL in pass rush win rate and 22nd in run stop win rate last year, per ESPN. Green has the ability to be Baltimore’s top pass rusher off the edge.”
This is the type of bet Baltimore makes better than anyone. They see the upside. They trust their locker room and their coaching staff. If Mike Green hits, the Ravens didn’t just add another guy to the pass-rushing rotation—they might’ve landed a future sack leader. Mike Green has the potential to lead all rookie edge rushers in sacks in 2025.
Bottom line? DeCosta didn’t force anything. He let the board fall to them, took two of the most talented players available, and added two guys who fit exactly what the Ravens needed without compromising value. Starks and Green aren’t just great picks—they’re the kind of picks that keep Baltimore in Super Bowl conversations year after year.