The Baltimore Ravens have 11 picks heading into the 2025 NFL Draft and no shortage of directions they could go with them. They finished last season 12-5, but a quick playoff exit at the hands of the Buffalo Bills and some creeping roster cracks have made this offseason a little more intriguing than usual.
One of the biggest looming issues is their pass rush. Odafe Oweh is entering a contract year with questions still hanging over his ceiling. Kyle Van Noy turned 34 in March and is a free agent after this season. David Ojabo hasn’t developed the way the Ravens hoped. That’s not an ideal trio when your defense just ranked 29th in pass rush win rate and 26th in blitz rate.
So while it would make sense to go big-name hunting early, Baltimore may instead look toward one of the most fascinating sleepers in this class: Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker.
Ravens continuously linked to Central Arkansas Edge David Walker
Walker’s name has been gaining serious traction after a dominant Senior Bowl showing and an even more dominant college career.
He led all Division I edge defenders last season in overall grade (94.4), per Pro Football Focus. In fact, he posted a 90+ pass-rush grade in each of the last three years. He’s totaled 37 sacks, 17 QB hits, and 97 hurries since 2022. Those numbers aren’t just good for an FCS player—they’re elite, period.
That small-school label might be what keeps him out of Round 1, but analysts aren’t so sure he’ll slip far. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. mocked Walker to the Ravens at pick No. 59 in the second round, calling him “a big fan” of his tape and praising his quickness, power, and polish.
If the Ravens wait until later, PFF's Mason Cameron thinks Walker would be the perfect Day 3 fit for Baltimore:
“His basketball background shows up frequently on tape in his quick feet and lateral movement skills,” Cameron wrote. “He generated a 91.1 overall grade against FBS competition at the Senior Bowl. He can compete at the next level.”
The size will scare some teams away—at the Senior Bowl, Walker measured in at just 6-foot with sub-32-inch arms—but the Ravens don’t shy away from unique profiles when the production backs it up. Walker doesn’t look like your typical edge rusher, but he wins like one.
Baltimore has been excellent at finding value in the middle rounds, especially on defense. Walker could be the latest name in that tradition—an overlooked FCS star who ends up playing a huge role. Keep an eye on this one.