With the 2025 NFL Draft less than a week away, the buzz around possible trade activity is picking up steam—and the idea of other teams sliding back to snatch Baltimore Ravens-linked prospects is starting to feel like an actual problem. In a new article for Bleacher Report, Gary Davenport highlighted four teams who could trade down in Round 1... and the targets tied to those moves? They all hit a little too close to home.
We’re talking James Pearce Jr., Benjamin Morrison, Azareye’h Thomas, and Josh Conerly Jr. Four players Ravens fans have seen mocked to Baltimore over the last few months. Four players who should be in range if the board breaks right. And now? Teams like Atlanta, Minnesota, Washington, and Los Angeles (Rams) might be plotting to trade back and take them instead.
Call it a trade-back nightmare. Because that’s exactly what it is.
Trade-back teams targeting Ravens-linked prospects in Round 1
Davenport projects the Atlanta Falcons to move back and still land Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. That would be a pretty big draft-night deflator. Pearce’s length, speed, and explosiveness off the edge make him a dream fit in Baltimore’s defense—especially now with Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy's future in Baltimore uncertain after 2025. If Atlanta moves down and still grabs him before pick 27? That’s a gut punch.
Next up is Josh Conerly Jr., an athletic but raw tackle out of Oregon. Davenport links him to the LA Rams, another team with reason to trade back. Baltimore might not be desperate for a left tackle today, but Conerly’s upside as a long-term swing tackle (and eventual Ronnie Stanley replacement) makes him a very real option. Seeing him go late first? Another quality fallback plan wiped off the board.
And then it doesn't get much better.
Two corners—Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) and Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State)—are mocked to Washington and Minnesota after hypothetical trade-backs. Both have been pegged as second-round targets for the Ravens at pick 59. Morrison has first-round tape but injury concerns. Thomas is a twitchy athlete with the tools to start early. Either one would slot in perfectly as Baltimore’s CB3 behind Marlon Humphrey (in the slot) and Nate Wiggins. If they’re both gone before the Ravens are back on the clock? That presents a problem.
The frustrating part is that none of this is unrealistic. The Ravens are sitting at 27, just behind that late-first-round sweet spot where teams start getting antsy—especially teams with fewer picks looking to add value. And if these four players all get scooped up by teams adding draft capital in the process? Baltimore loses both talent and flexibility.
This draft was shaping up to fall into DeCosta’s lap. But if teams start jumping back and plucking these names ahead of Baltimore, he might have to get more aggressive than planned. Luckily he has the draft ammo to do exactly that.
We know the Ravens love to let the board come to them. But if Gary Davenport’s scenario plays out on April 25, they might not like what’s left when it does.