The Baltimore Ravens’ season is over. They watched their playoff hopes slip away at the last second in a 26-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Week 18 was the perfect encapsulation of what 2025 has been like: heartbreak after heartbreak.
With the loss, General Manager Eric DeCosta and the front office can now focus on reforming the team into a contender. The Ravens have a loaded free agent class due to new contracts this offseason, and there are plenty of key contributors who need to return.
However, improvements need to come far beyond free agency. Like usual under DeCosta, that will come through the NFL Draft.
After losing Sunday night’s contest and missing the playoffs, the Ravens will be picking 14th in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Ravens set to pick 14th in upcoming draft
The last time the Ravens sat in a spot higher than the 22nd selection come draft time was the 2022 NFL Draft. Oddly enough, they also picked 14th in that draft. It’s to say that night worked out well for them, as they picked safety Kyle Hamilton. He is on his way to his third Pro Bowl this year.
In fact, it seems every time Baltimore picks inside the top 20, they come out with a highly successful starter more often than not. Of the 14 times they have picked in that range, 12 of those players have turned into quality contributors, and 10 have gone to at least one Pro Bowl.
The Ravens could use that first-round pick to make a blockbuster trade. A deal for Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive end Maxx Crosby would certainly fill the team’s pressing need for pass rush help. However, DeCosta has shown a reluctance to trade draft picks for most of his tenure.
In the instance that he hangs on to the pick, edge rusher, interior defensive line, and offensive line are the three areas he should look to address.
At edge, some possible options include Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, Texas Tech’s Romello Height, and, in the case of a draft fall, Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr.
The defensive line could be a need if star defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike’s neck injury is career-threatening. Clemson’s Peter Woods has been mentioned as a potential fit by numerous outlets, and Florida’s Caleb Banks is another option.
As for offensive line, the Ravens desperately need offensive guard help to protect quarterback Lamar Jackson. There aren’t many standout guards at this point in the draft process, but Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane may prove to be worth a top-15 selection. Guards aren’t often chosen this high, but the Dallas Cowboys’ selection of Tyler Booker at pick-12 was a hit this season.
After such a disappointing campaign, DeCosta and company need to take advantage of picking so high in the draft. They’ve been praised as one of the best drafting teams in the NFL, and they can prove that this offseason.