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Malaki Starks makes quite the first impression. When the Ravens drafted the Georgia safety with the 27th pick in the NFL draft, general manager Eric DeCosta said that Starks had one of the most impressive combine interviews he’d ever seen. Coach John Harbaugh was smitten by tape of do-it-all secondary help. And when defensive coordinator Zach Orr saw Starks’ athleticism up close for the first time, he thought, “no way he’s going to get to 27.” That wasn’t all. It wasn’t just Baltimore’s decision makers who were sold on Starks’ potential right away. “When I first met him — I deal with so many young men that are in their early 20s — a lot of times you say, ‘They just got a little maturing to do. They just gotta be a little more process driven,’” said former NFL wideout turned trainer, Yo Murphy. “With Malaki, it wasn’t like that. “You got a guy that has that type of athletic ability but really thinks through and wants to know everything about his body, everything about performance. He wants to be great.” Murphy trains out of a state-of-the-art facility in Tampa, Florida. Each spring, he’ll bring in, at most, 24 athletes to help prepare for the NFL draft. Starks was deemed a good fit (as was Western Michigan cornerback Bilhal Kone, the Ravens’ sixth-round selection). They spent about seven weeks together in the build-up to the NFL scouting combine. Because all those soon-to-be-draftees were still recovering from the end of their respective seasons and the stretch of preparation work can be demanding without ample recovery time, Murphy is careful about putting every athlete on a shot clock. Murphy wanted to give Starks “small bites of the apple.” Starks wanted to show up at 5 a.m. for extra work before the other 23 prospects arrived for 6 a.m. lift. “As long as he knows it’s a benefit and how it’s going to benefit,” Murphy said, “that kid will do anything.” That’s essentially how his Georgia career played out. Starks was a freshman on the Bulldogs’ 2022 national championship team. At that point, a large share of his playing time came at deep safety. That’s how coach Kirby Smart first envisioned deploying him. Starks was called on to shift around to the slot and into the box out of necessity. The past two years in Athens, he shined as a multi-faceted defender, capable of stopping the long ball or sticking his nose in the backfield. Malaki Starks working with Tampa-based trainer Yo Murphy. The Ravens' first-round pick routinely got up at 5 a.m. to meet Murphy for one-on-one work before his fellow draft prospects arrived. (Courtesy: Hunter Brandon)Malaki Starks spent seven weeks in Tampa, Florida preparing for the NFL Draft. One former NFL veteran called him, "the smartest young guy I ever met.” (Courtesy: Hunter Brandon)Show Caption1 of 2Malaki Starks working with Tampa-based trainer Yo Murphy. The Ravens' first-round pick routinely got up at 5 a.m. to meet Murphy for one-on-one work before his fellow draft prospects arrived. (Courtesy: Hunter Brandon)Expand In 2024, Starks played 400 snaps at deep safety, 271 in the slot and 215 in the box, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s a tad undersized at 6-foot-1, 197 pounds, which he masks with a sprinting background (10.55 seconds in the 100-meter dash in high school, 4.50 40-yard dash) and the smarts to be a versatile puzzle piece. For Murphy, that meant honing in on the details of athletic movements that apply more broadly to various positions around the secondary. He had to get creative in putting Starks and the other defensive backs in uncomfortable positions, like having them run routes alongside receivers to stress linear movement, contrasting the backpedaling he’s accustomed to. Starks won’t be tasked to run routes in Baltimore. But his new coaches, less than 24 hours after submitting the pick, were already giddy to game plan how he can help. “I ran into Coach [Harbaugh] this morning,” Orr said, sounding more excited with each word. “We were already talking about all the different ways how he adds to our defense, man, and we talk about the advantage that we feel like we have here in Baltimore is being positionless. And that’s all over the field, but especially with our secondary. He helps create an advantage for us and a disadvantage to the offense.” Earlier this year, Starks was wrapping up a workout in Tampa when Antoine Winfield Sr. stopped by. Murphy made the introduction, then gave the two some space to connect. They had known each other for all of 90 seconds, Murphy made it only a few steps away, and the 21-year-old was already peppering the three-time Pro Bowl defensive back about his process. “I could hear him asking questions,” Murphy said, “like, ‘What’s the hardest thing about your position?’ Or, ‘What do you do to prepare?’” Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens still need help in the trenches | COMMENTARY Ravens make fifth-year option decisions on Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum Way-too-early look at Ravens depth chart following 2025 draft READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? Ravens draft by the numbers: One stat to know about all 11 picks Starks did the same thing when meeting former Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, Murphy said. The first trait folks notice in Starks is his inquisitiveness and his attention to detail. He wants to learn, wants to grow. And his football GPA, DeCosta said, is “very, very high.” Murphy has been in this business a while. He’s trained many pros. He considers cornerback Logan Ryan to be one of the smartest. Ryan played 11 seasons in the NFL (2013 to 2023), winning a pair of Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots. Even in retirement, Ryan still comes around to lend a hand with Murphy’s predraft crew. After his first day in Tampa with select members of this draft class, Ryan walked out of the room and told Murphy, “He’s the smartest young guy I ever met.” Ryan isn’t the friendliest in the room. He doesn’t say that kind of thing just to say it for sake of being nice. From him, that praise carries weight. Even Murphy was taken aback to hear the word “brilliant” come out of Ryan’s mouth about a prospect who hasn’t played a snap in the NFL yet. “His maturity, professionalism and his approach,” Murphy said, “his interviewing me about where he’s gonna train, just showed a lot about him.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

The Ravens added bulk and depth over the weekend during the annual NFL draft, but it remains to be seen if any of the linemen (three offensive and one defensive) will have an immediate impact. The NFL season can be long and grueling, especially if a team is fortunate enough to play in the Super Bowl. Coaching legend Bill Belichick, now at the University of North Carolina, always said that a team can never have enough defensive linemen. The Ravens have seven on the roster, and one of those is undersized Aeneas Peebles, a 6-foot, 282-pound defensive tackle taken in the sixth round out of Virginia Tech. Peebles might have been a better option in years past, but 6-foot, 345-pound run-stopping nose guard Michael Pierce retired over a month ago, leaving the Ravens with one player — 6-4, 325-pound Travis Jones — in that class. The position is also brutal on the body because of the constant double teams and angle blocking. Jones suffered an ankle injury in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wasn’t quite the same for the rest of the season. Peebles might help in passing situations because of his quickness, but the Ravens still need another big body up front. “I think we got some great football players at important positions, guys that can make plays on the football, guys who can get to the quarterback,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said. “I think that’s great, and probably the one thing we couldn’t do is get that big wide-body-type guy, and I think that’s something that we’ll assess and address after the draft, and we’re already starting to talk about that, so we’re aware of that. “Yes, just a big first- and second-down run-stuffing type of guy. We had a couple of guys late that got picked in late [rounds] in the draft that we were targeting potentially, and they got picked. But I think we do have some options with street free agents.” The same can be said about the three offensive linemen chosen over the weekend. Offensive tackle Emery Jones Jr. was a solid choice taken in the third round out of LSU, but offensive tackle Carson Vinson was a fifth-round selection from Alabama A&M and LSU guard Garrett Dellinger was a seventh-round pick. At least with Jones, he could be a stop-gap player filling in for a couple of games, but Vinson and Dellinger are basically projects who might end up on the practice squad. Jones gives the Ravens options. He can play either guard or tackle, even though the transition is tough for a player who has been on the right or left side his entire career. Jones, though, is a mauler who fits the Ravens’ criteria of being versatile. Baltimore also signed left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a three-year, $60 million contract before free agency began. He played well in 2024 after rebuilding the lower half of his body during the offseason, but there will always be questions about him being injury-prone after missing 36 regular-season games from 2020 to 2023 because of ankle and knee ailments. So, if Stanley goes down, the Ravens could move second-year right tackle Roger Rosengarten to the left side, but do they insert right guard Daniel Faalele back to his more natural position of right tackle, or do they put Jones in at right guard? Those are situations the Ravens can work out. A bigger question is if Andrew Vorhees can start at left guard in place of Patrick Mekari, who signed with the Jaguars as a free agent. Vorhees was a starter until he injured his ankle early in the season, and he never got back on the field after Mekari took over. The Ravens have fewer options among other starting offensive linemen outside of Ben Cleveland, the backup right guard. Vinson is 6-7 and 314 pounds. There have been others who have played in similar smaller conferences, but former Ravens such as center Wally Williams and the late Orlando Brown Sr. weren’t ready until after a couple of years in the league. Related Articles Ravens’ Malaki Starks wows former pros: ‘Smartest young guy I ever met’ Ravens make fifth-year option decisions on Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum Way-too-early look at Ravens depth chart following 2025 draft READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? Ravens draft by the numbers: One stat to know about all 11 picks Dellinger is a seventh-round pick, and that says it all. Every year, there are always questions about the Ravens’ interior lines, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Last year, the offensive line was in flux with Stanley coming back from injury, Vorhees and Faalele possibly starting at guard, and Rosengarten backing up an injury-prone Mekari. There are fewer questions this season, but they are still out there. The great neutralizer in all of this is quarterback Lamar Jackson, who can make an ineffective pass-blocking offensive line look much better. But even he might struggle more this season. The Ravens don’t have a big run stopper on defense, and they lack depth on the offensive line. Oh well, it’s business as usual for the Ravens. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Emery Jones Jr., shown at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in February, gives the Ravens options on their offensive line. (George Walker IV/AP file) View the full article

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton had one of the best seasons of any player at his position in the NFL last year. Now, he’ll get paid commensurately. Baltimore picked up the fifth-year option on Hamilton on Wednesday, the team said. Doing so means the 14th overall pick out of Notre Dame in 2022 will remain with the Ravens through at least the 2026 season. Picking up the option will cost $18.6 million, which for now would make him the third-highest paid safety in the league in terms of average annual value behind only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Antoine Winfield Jr. ($21.02 million) and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James ($19 million). The decision, which Baltimore had until Thursday to make, was expected. Hamilton was an All-Pro in 2023 and has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of the past two seasons. He’s also been the lynchpin to one of the league’s best defenses in that span and is one of the sport’s most versatile players, able to be deployed at deep safety, in the box and seemingly everywhere in between. Last season, he finished ninth in the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year voting after being the only defensive back in 2024 to finish with at least 100 tackles, an interception, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. Meanwhile, Baltimore did not pick up the fifth-year option on center Tyler Linderbaum. That decision was also not a major surprise, even with the 25th overall pick in 2022 being selected to each of the past two Pro Bowls. Picking it up would have cost the Ravens $23.4 million for 2026, or, put another way, the 2025 average of the top five offensive line salaries over the previous five years, a number that is high because of the value of offensive tackles. Currently, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey is the league’s highest-paid center at $18 million per season. By declining it, the two sides can instead try to work out a long-term extension. Related Articles Way-too-early look at Ravens depth chart following 2025 draft READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? Ravens draft by the numbers: One stat to know about all 11 picks 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 2025 draft Ravens draft grades: Analysts again give high marks — with notable caveat If they’re unable to reach an agreement by March, Baltimore could place the franchise tag on Linderbaum, which would cost $27.6 million, according to Over The Cap, and then pull the tag if they’re able to work out an extension. Another option would be the less-likely transition tag (projected $25 million), which would allow the Ravens to match any offer sheet that he signs with another team. Like Hamilton, Linderbaum has been integral to the Ravens’ success. He is the centerpiece of an offensive line that helped clear the way for the league’s top offense in 2024. Baltimore also last year became the first team to top 4,000 yards passing and 3,000 rushing in the same season last year. Said general manager Eric DeCosta in announcing the moves: “It is our intention for him to remain a Raven long term.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. The Ravens did not pick up the fifth-year option on center Tyler Linderbaum, but general manager Eric DeCosta said, "It is our intention for him to remain a Raven long term." (Kevin Richardson/Staff) View the full article

With the draft behind them and the signing already of several undrafted free agents, the Ravens will next turn their attention to rookie minicamp (Saturday through Tuesday), the NFL schedule release (May 14), followed by voluntary organized team activities (May 27-29, June 3, June 5-6, June 9-12) and then mandatory minicamp (June 17-19) before players are dismissed until the start of training camp in late July. There’s a long way to go until Baltimore fills out its 53-man roster to start the season, but the truth is much of it has already begun to take shape, especially with few starting jobs expected to be open. That’s the reality of a Super Bowl-caliber roster. It’s a point that was further emphasized when general manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged that probably not all 11 draft picks would make the team. With that in mind, here’s a way-too-early look at the way the depth chart could shape up for now: (* denotes 2025 rookie) Quarterbacks: Lamar Jackson, Cooper Rush, Devin Leary Rush gives the Ravens the best backup quarterback they’ve had in a long time after he spent seven years with the Dallas Cowboys, who were 9-5 with him as a starter in games across three seasons. Running backs: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, Rasheen Ali Henry is in the final year of his two-year contract, has expressed interest in retiring in Baltimore, and the Ravens have likewise said they’d like to get a contract extension worked out after he finished second in the league in rushing last season. Fullback: Patrick Ricard The versatile sledgehammer of the Ravens’ offense returned on a one-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $2.87 million. Related Articles READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? Ravens draft by the numbers: One stat to know about all 11 picks 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 2025 draft Ravens draft grades: Analysts again give high marks — with notable caveat Ravens 2025 undrafted free agent tracker: Auburn DL, Rutgers DB added Wide receivers: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker, Anthony Miller, Keith Kirkwood, LaJohntay Wester*, Dayton Wade, Malik Cunningham The free-agent addition of Hopkins gives the Ravens much-needed quality depth. Wester, the sixth-round rookie out of Colorado, is small but a speedster who could push Wallace for the punt return job. Tight end: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Patrick Ricard, Zaire Mitchell-Paden Andrews was likely never getting traded, barring a desperate offer, a truth that became solidified when general manager Eric DeCosta finally and definitively said after Day 2 of the draft that he expects him to be on the team next season. Left tackle: Ronnie Stanley, Carson Vinson* The importance of re-signing Stanley before he had a chance to hit the free-agent market is even more glaring now. The Ravens likely would have significantly altered their draft plan if they hadn’t, though there are still depth concerns here with Vinson, a fifth-round pick out of Alabama A&M, dubbed a project. Left guard: Andrew Vorhees, Garrett Dellinger*, Corey Bullock Vorhees was the starter last season before suffering an ankle injury, being replaced by Patrick Mekari and never getting his job back. With Mekari signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Ravens not drafting a true guard until Dellinger in the seventh round, his path to returning to a starting role was made that much easier. Center: Tyler Linderbaum, Nick Samac, Darrian Dalcourt The thing that will be worth watching here is whether the Ravens exercise the fifth-year option for Linderbaum, sign him to an extension, or wait until next offseason then use a franchise tag, which they could later pull if they work out an extension. Whatever happens, he’ll be their center for a while, though with some injury concerns cropping up last season, the Ravens will need a dependable backup. Right guard: Daniel Faalele, Ben Cleveland Like Vorhees, Faalele figures to have little in the way of competition from the rookie class for the starting right guard job. Re-signing Cleveland at a minimum after he was arrested on suspicion of DUI this offseason at least provides some familiar depth. Emery Jones Jr. talks at the NFL scouting combine in February. The draft pick out of LSU could be a swing tackle or move to guard for the Ravens. (George Walker IV/AP) Right tackle: Roger Rosengarten, Emery Jones Jr.* Rosengarten is firmly entrenched as the starter after a solid rookie season. Baltimore hopes that Jones, a third-round rookie out of LSU, could be its next version of Mekari as a swing tackle who can also possibly play guard. Defensive line: Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington, Aeneas Peebles*, CJ Ravenelle, Adedayo Odeleye, C.J. Okoye The one thing DeCosta acknowledged the Ravens did not get in the draft was a true wide-body, run-stuffing defensive tackle. Peebles, a sixth-round pick out of Virginia Tech, is an interesting player, though, as a tackle who’s on the smaller side for the position but is quick and explosive and plays with a high motor. Inside linebacker: Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Teddye Buchanan*, Jake Hummel, William Kwenkeu Harbaugh said he expects Simpson to start alongside Smith, but he’ll face competition from Buchanan, a fourth-round pick out of California and an excellent tackler. Expect Buchanan and Hummel, who signed with the Ravens this offseason, to be special teams regulars. Former Marshall edge rusher Mike Green, shown running through drills during Senior Bowl practices, is expected to compete for a starting spot at outside linebacker with the Ravens. (Butch Dill/AP) Outside linebacker: Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, Mike Green*, Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac, David Ojabo, Malik Hamm Green comes with concerns over two previous sexual assault accusations, though the Ravens said they are comfortable with their background work on him and Green has denied the accusations. The second-round pick out of Marshall saw his stock plummet from a possible top-10 pick because of off-field concerns, but on the field there’s little question about his talent. He was the Football Bowl Subdivision leader in sacks (17) last season and projects to be an excellent pass rusher and strong run defender at the NFL level, something Baltimore desperately needed. Cornerback: Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, T.J. Tampa, Chidobe Awuzie, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Bilhal Kone*, Robert Longerbeam* The Ravens are expecting Tampa, who is entering his second year, to be a meaningful contributor. The hope is that between him and veteran free-agent Awuzie, they will find an outside corner opposite Wiggins, with Humphrey, an All-Pro in the slot last year, continuing to play a good bit inside again. Kone and Longerbeam have a chance to be special teamers while they develop. Safety: Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks*, Ar’Darius Washington, Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade Starks was a home-run first-round pick by all accounts and is a player who the Ravens hope will be a smaller version of Hamilton — an immensely talented performer with a high football IQ who can play all over the field. His addition also means that Baltimore can utilize Hamilton closer to the line of scrimmage this season after he had to play deeper more often in 2024 to help cover up issues on the back end. Tyler Loop, middle, kicks a field goal while at Arizona last season. (Tyler Tate/AP) Kicker: Justin Tucker, Tyler Loop* It’s likely a matter of when the Ravens will cut ties with Tucker after drafting Loop. The NFL investigation into the more than a dozen sexual misconduct allegations against Tucker is still ongoing, and it’s likely he remains a Raven until that wraps up. Long snapper: Nick Moore Moore returns for his fifth season in Baltimore, though it could be worth watching how he and Loop mesh as a new battery. Punter: Jordan Stout Stout is in the final year of his rookie contract and has been a mostly solid performer for the Ravens. Kick returner: Keaton Mitchell, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali It’ll be interesting to see how Mitchell looks in his second season since a torn ACL in December 2023. Usually, backs returning from such injuries bounce back in their second year, and that could be a boost to the offense as well as on special teams. Punt returner: Wallace, Wester Wallace lost the job last year and he’ll get another crack at it this year. But expect Wester, who led the American Athletic Conference in punt return yards (278) and yards per return (19.9) in 2023 when he was at Florida Atlantic and had two career punt returns for a touchdown, including last season at Colorado, to get a look as well. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens added 11 players over the weekend during the NFL draft, including one of the top safeties and kickers. How would you grade Baltimore’s haul? We want to hear from you. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. Don’t see the poll? Click here to vote. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

The NFL draft can feel like drinking from a firehose. The three-day event included seven rounds, 257 picks and more storylines than could ever fit on a six-hour telecast. On Day 3, many picks flashed across the ESPN ticker while a commercial played. It’s just the nature of the beast. So for diehard fans and casual consumers alike, there’s a lot of information to sort through. In this exercise, we attempt to boil it down. Here’s one stat to know about each of the Ravens’ 11 draft picks this year: Georgia safety Malaki Starks 42 consecutive starts They don’t get more reliable than Starks, who coach Kirby Smart said was the Bulldogs’ best player at five positions on defense. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound Starks lined up all over the field, playing 271 snaps in the slot, 215 in the box and 400 as a deep safety in 2024. Playing for a team that consistently produces some of the top talent in the country — Georgia had 13 players selected in this year’s draft, just one shy of Ohio State — Starks became an immediate starter as a true freshman and never relinquished his spot. He ended his three-year career with six interceptions and 197 tackles. Marshall edge rusher Mike Green 17 sacks It’s the simplest stat, but it speaks to just how good Green was in his final college season. The 6-3, 241-pound defensive end led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 17 sacks, getting to the quarterback with ease thanks to his combination of power and quickness. According to Pro Football Focus, Green posted a 20.2% pass-rush win rate, which means he was beating his block within 2.5 seconds on basically one out of every five attempts. His 32 run stops (tackles that constitute a “loss” for the offense) also ranked first in the class. LSU offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. (50) sets up to block against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) LSU offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. 34 1/4-inch arms Arm length matters more for tackles than it does for guards, where Jones projects to play in Baltimore. But when it comes to keeping defenders away from your chest, it certainly helps to have tree trunks that rank in the 76th percentile among the 853 offensive line prospects in the MockDraftable database. Jones’ hands also measure 10 3/4 inches, which ranks in the 92nd percentile. Those big mitts will help when it comes to using his punch and anchoring against talented pass rushers. California linebacker Teddye Buchanan 40-inch vertical jump The 6-2, 233-pound Buchanan is a twitchy, explosive athlete. His athletic testing numbers at the NFL scouting combine prove it. In Indianapolis, Buchanan recorded a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, 26 reps on the bench press, a 10 foot, 5-inch broad jump and – wait for it – a 40-inch vertical jump. Only three wide receivers and one running back matched or exceeded that mark at this year’s combine. Buchanan put that explosiveness to good use with the Golden Bears, recording 25 pressures and five sacks in coach Justin Wilcox’s simulated-pressure packages. He’ll be able to feast on those same opportunities in an aggressive Baltimore defense. Alabama A&M offensive lineman Carson Vinson 247th-ranked offensive guard in 2020 recruiting class Never tell Vinson the odds. The 6-7, 314-pound tackle was a two-star recruit who played his entire senior season at Panther Creek High in North Carolina without a Division I offer before Alabama A&M took a chance on him. On Saturday, he became the program’s first draft pick since 2011 and its first offensive player drafted in over 30 years. Western Michigan defensive back Bilhal Kone runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Western Michigan cornerback Bilhal Kone 70 tackles After rising up from junior college to Indiana State, Kone transferred to Western Michigan in part to test himself against the premier opponents on the Broncos’ schedule: Iowa, Ohio State and Wisconsin. So you could say that he’s always up for a challenge. That applies to his play style, too. The 6-1, 190-pound Kone was one of only four FBS cornerbacks to record 70 or more tackles in 2024. Arizona kicker Tyler Loop 83.8% career field goal rate As the potential replacement to Justin Tucker in Baltimore and the Ravens’ first draft pick at kicker, there’s a lot of pressure on Loop to succeed. If he can continue his college performance in the NFL, he has a great chance. Loop’s career field goal accuracy would rank 33rd all-time in league history, ahead of reliable veterans such as Adam Vinatieri, Graham Gano, Matt Stover and Matt Prater, to name a few. Loop has already earned renowned special teams coach Randy Brown’s seal of approval. Now he’ll just have to prove it on the field. Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester 326 career catches Wester is most likely going to make his biggest impact in Baltimore as a punt returner, having averaged 11.2 yards per return with two touchdowns in his college career. But don’t overlook his receiving chops, either. Playing at Florida Atlantic for coach Willie Taggart, now the Ravens’ running backs coach, the 5-10, 163-pound Wester ranked second in the FBS with 107 catches in 2023. After recording 74 more catches with Shedeur Sanders in Colorado, he finished his college career with 326 receptions, which ranks sixth all-time in FBS history. Virginia Tech defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Virginia Tech defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles 37 pressures The 6-1, 282-pound Peebles isn’t your typical run-stuffing defensive lineman. His quick first step allows him to knife into the backfield, as evidenced by his 17.8% pass-rush win rate and 91.2 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024. After leading Duke in tackles for loss and sacks in 2023, Peebles only recorded three sacks with the Hokies. But according to The Athletic, he still made a big impact, as his 37 quarterback pressures ranked third among all FBS interior defensive lineman. Related Articles READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 2025 draft Ravens draft grades: Analysts again give high marks — with notable caveat Ravens 2025 undrafted free agent tracker: Auburn DL, Rutgers DB added Ravens draft kicker for first time amid Justin Tucker uncertainty Rutgers cornerback Robert Longerbeam 42 passes defended While the 5-11, 175-pound Longerbeam is undersized, particularly against NFL competition, there’s no questioning his competitiveness. The former high school quarterback led the Scarlet Knights in passes defended in three of the past four seasons, totaling 42 with five interceptions over that span. Longerbeam’s speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash) is impressive, and he stood out during the East-West Shrine Bowl practices for his work as a slot defender. LSU offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger 80-plus pass-blocking grade The four-year starter primarily played left guard for the Tigers, where it was difficult for defenders to get around him and left tackle Will Campbell, the New England Patriots’ No. 4 overall selection on Friday night. While injuries have been a concern during his career, including tightrope surgery on his right ankle during his senior season, Dellinger has been an extremely reliable blocker. According to PFF, he posted 80-plus pass-blocking grades in three straight seasons and was penalized just once over his final 26 games. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

The Ravens entered this year’s NFL draft with 11 picks and three days later had 11 new players. That fact seems axiomatic, but is also revealing when it comes to Baltimore’s roster-building philosophy. In short and simplified, general manager Eric DeCosta is willing to dole out big bucks to high-impact, star players like quarterback Lamar Jackson, linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and a few others, then likes to use an abundance of selections to try to find quality, inexpensive players that fit culturally to fill out the bulk of the roster. Some teams prefer packaging picks to move up to land a big-time talent; DeCosta avoids doing so like a crab evades the midday sun. Doing so has generally worked out, too. To borrow from ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., there’s a reason some teams are always picking at the top of the draft every year and Baltimore is not one of those teams. Put another way, it’s a numbers game, and generally speaking the Ravens have played it well, often nailing their mid-to-late first-round picks and finding meaningful contributors on Day 3, which is when eight of their selections took place this year. While DeCosta uses “best player available” ad nauseam, Baltimore also addressed several needs this year with players it believes fit scheme and personality-wise. There was plenty to be gleaned from what the Ravens did — and didn’t do — as well. Here are five things we learned from this year’s draft. Defense needed upgrading and was a focus That six of the Ravens’ picks — including each of their first two on safety Malaki Starks and controversial edge rusher Mike Green — were spent on defensive players was telling. Though Baltimore ranked a respectable eighth in both points (21.2) and yards allowed per game (319.2) last season, the defense took a big step back, especially through the air. The Ravens were an abysmal 27th in passing yards allowed (238.3) and only some schematic changes and personnel adjustments helped turn things around the second half of the season. It was also a short-term fix. By adding what many consider to be the top safety in the class who has a resume filled with consequential plays at a school (Georgia) that played a ton of big games the past few years, the Ravens’ pass defense should immediately get better on the back end and in the middle. Starks is also a high-character, high-football-IQ guy who played all over the field for the Bulldogs’ defense and will do the same here, from deep safety to nickel, like a smaller version of All-Pro Kyle Hamilton. The other way to improve a secondary is to get to the quarterback. Green did that persistently at Marshall (17 sacks, 59 pressures, 20.2% pass rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus), and if it weren’t for concerns over two previous sexual assault allegations he would have been long gone by the second round. But DeCosta said that he feels “comfortable” with the Ravens’ due diligence on those matters, the organization likely feels its culture can help Green avoid any further issues and is clearly willing to take that gamble in exchange for a highly talented player who should improve Baltimore’s middle-of-the-pack pressure rate from last season. The one thing DeCosta acknowledged the Ravens did not get was a “big, wide-body-type” defensive lineman, though sixth-round tackle Aeneas Peebles, while on the smaller side, is an interesting player who has a chance to be the kind of late-round find they covet given his vigor and array of moves. Arizona kicker Tyler Loop participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, , in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Justin Tucker’s days in Baltimore appear to be numbered DeCosta was never going to flat-out say that he expects that sixth-round pick Tyler Loop will be Baltimore’s kicker next year and that the team is moving on from Justin Tucker, who is being investigated by the NFL over sexual misconduct allegations by several massage therapists from numerous Baltimore-area spas. Instead, he offered up a predictable line, saying, “They’re both on the roster, and there’s a situation for us where we’re just trying to find the best football players.” But he didn’t have to be declarative — Loop’s selection as the first kicker drafted in the organization’s 30-year history all but was. Unless Loop is lousy in rookie minicamp and beyond — something that seems unlikely as Kiper’s top-rated kicker in the class and the only kicker Ravens senior special teams coach Randy Brown coveted, according to DeCosta — it’s all but certain that he will be the Ravens’ kicker this season. If Tucker, who has maintained his innocence, is hit with a suspension from the league, that would presumably be the final nail in his time here. But even before the disturbing allegations emerged, there were already questions about the 35-year-old and team’s longest-tenured player’s future, who is relatively pricey and was coming off easily the worst season of his career. For Loop’s part, following in the footsteps of a team legend in at best an awkward scenario doesn’t seem to faze him. “I think it’s really exciting more than pressure, just because it gives you something to shoot for,” he said. “Getting to follow in the footsteps of a guy like him who’s been so elite and get to compete with him and maybe learn from him, that gets me fired up.” Mark Andrews was never (likely) going anywhere The combination of Andrews being in the final year of his contract, the emerging Isaiah Likely behind him and DeCosta before the draft stopping short of definitively saying that he would be on the team this season was convenient kindling to trade speculation. But any such flames were fully doused after the draft’s second day. “I would never say if I entertained any trade offers at this point,” DeCosta said. “I would really expect Mark to be on this team.” Now, what if a tight-end-needy team that had missed out on Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, both of whom went in the first round, offered the Ravens a deal that included a second- or third-round pick? “You would only deal him if you knew you could get a [third-round pick],” one agent told The Baltimore Sun before the draft. Even then, would that really be worth it given Andrews’ role in the offense, his being a security blanket to a star quarterback on a Super Bowl-caliber roster and the fact that Baltimore would recoup a similar compensatory pick should he leave in free agency next offseason? “It’s not even close,” said the agent, who was granted anonymity to speak openly about sensitive league matters. “With all these draft picks, nobody knows. Why get rid of Andrews for a third-round pick that you don’t even know is going to make it in the NFL? There’s first-rounders getting cut after a year. You’ve got a Pro Bowler there who’s probably one of the heartbeats of the team. That’s a winning team. There’s a reason why they’re picking where they’re picking every year.” Virginia Tech defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) They still need help on both lines Going into the draft, DeCosta made it clear Baltimore was looking to add to its defensive and offensive lines. The latter was addressed with third-round pick and swing tackle Emery Jones Jr. out of LSU, fifth-round pick and true tackle Carson Vinson out of Alabama A&M and seventh-round guard Garrett Dellinger. Meanwhile, Peebles ended up being the lone defensive lineman the Ravens selected and even that doesn’t fulfill the need for a true run-stuffing nose tackle given his lack of size. In other words, expect them to continue to beef up both fronts both in the undrafted free agent market and the veteran free agent market this summer when signing an available player would not count against the league’s compensatory pick formula. Already, Baltimore has reportedly signed three undefeated free agent tackles and an interior defensive lineman along with extending minicamp invites to at least two interior offensive linemen. It just makes sense and there’s a need to build depth, particularly given Ronnie Stanley’s injury history, among other potential concerns. For one, teams need 15 or so offensive linemen (and around half as many defensive linemen) just to get through training camp. For another, coach John Harbaugh ostensibly believes in the law of averages when it comes to ultimately filling out the 52-man roster and practice squad, particularly along the offensive line, which the Ravens currently allocate the least amount of salary cap space to of any team in the league, per Over The Cap. In other words, the more (inexpensive) players competing for spots, the more likely they are to find guys who will fit what they need, which was the case last summer even with three open jobs on the starting offensive line. Related Articles READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? Ravens draft by the numbers: One stat to know about all 11 picks Ravens draft grades: Analysts again give high marks — with notable caveat Ravens 2025 undrafted free agent tracker: Auburn DL, Rutgers DB added Ravens draft kicker for first time amid Justin Tucker uncertainty Drafting a quarterback was a possibility The Ravens are in the best shape they’ve been in at quarterback in a long time, with of course two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Jackson and a quality No. 2 in veteran and former Dallas Cowboys backup Cooper Rush, whom they signed this offseason. Still, DeCosta said he considered drafting a quarterback in the later rounds, likely as someone who could be developed into a reliable backup or perhaps striking gold like the San Francisco 49ers did with Brock Purdy, the last pick in the 2022 draft. “We had a few guys that we liked,” he said. “I can tell you that one guy got picked that we really did. We talked about it.” He also said that he still thinks current third-stringer and 2024 sixth-round pick Devin Leary still has a chance to develop, but the Ravens targeting a quarterback along with Leary’s obvious struggles last summer probably means it’s a long shot that he’ll become a backup anytime soon. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The 2025 NFL draft is over, which means it’s time to hand out the report cards. Draft grades have become a staple of the business, with experts weighing in on not only who picked the best players but who squeezed the most value out of their selections. Of course, it’s a silly exercise. Nobody knows for sure how well these players will perform on an NFL field, no matter how impressive they were in college. But an attempt to analyze the process of how teams make selections and where they value players in relation to consensus rankings is worthwhile. Not surprisingly, the Ravens have routinely earned high marks over the years for their draft picks. General manager Eric DeCosta has often been patient and let the top players fall to Baltimore, and there’s no better example than this year’s first two picks. Georgia safety Malaki Starks was ranked No. 16 on Arif Hasan’s annual consensus big board, which takes into account evaluations from 112 analysts, and he was picked No. 27 overall. Marshall edge rusher Mike Green, ranked No. 17 by consensus, was picked 59th, but he dropped because of two sexual assault allegations that he’s since denied and has not been charged for. Here’s a look at the Ravens’ 11-player full draft class and where the players rank on the consensus board: Round 1, No. 27: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (No. 24) Round 2, No. 59: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall (No. 14) Round 3, No. 91: Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU (No. 98) Round 4, No. 129: Teddye Buchanan, LB, California (No. 177) Round 5, No. 141: Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M (No. 205) Round 6, No. 178: Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan (No. 188) Round 6, No. 186: Tyler Loop, K, Arizona (not ranked) Round 6, No. 203: LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado (No. 279) Round 6, No. 210: Aeneas Peebles, DL, Virginia Tech (No. 132) Round 6, No. 212: Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers (No. 228) Round 7, No. 243: Garrett Dellinger, G, LSU (No. 231) There are some notable “reaches” in that group but not enough to sway the experts. Here’s a look at what draft analysts are saying about this year’s Ravens class: ESPN: B+ Baltimore native and Calvert Hall graduate Mel Kiper Jr. listed the Ravens’ top needs as edge rusher, cornerback, safety, guard and kicker entering the draft, and they checked those boxes without making any big moves. “The Ravens didn’t make any in-draft trades last year, they had made only eight over the prior five drafts, and they traded down twice this year. They let the board come to them and got some good prospects,” Kiper writes. Kiper said that Starks will help tighten up the coverage in the secondary and “has the closing speed to arrive as the ball does and either break up the pass or immediately wrap up the receiver.” He ranked Green 18th on his big board, noting that his “speed, power and a wide array of pass-rush moves allow him to consistently get pressure.” Loop was also his top-ranked kicker. NFL.com: A Chad Reuter explains that the Ravens “are perennial contenders because they let the draft board come to them.” “Starks will be a playmaker no matter where he lines up,” Reuter writes. “Green was still available late in Round 2 because of off-field concerns, but he has a chance to provide a lot of value off the edge. Jones could be a solid starter at guard or tackle in time.” Buchanan, Peebles, Kone and Longerbeam are expected to make an impact on defense, Vinson and Dellinger “will compete for playing time early,” and Wester is highlighted as “a tough, quick slot receiver and punt returner.” New York Post: B- Although praising the pick of Starks to pair with Kyle Hamilton to form what “could quickly become the NFL’s best young safety tandem,” Ryan Dunleavy questions the decision to take a prospect falling because of off-the-field concerns. “Green in the late second round was great football value, but his two separate sexual assault allegations (both denied) brought more focus to veteran kicker Justin Tucker’s ongoing sexual misconduct investigation,” he writes. Pro Football Focus: A The scouting and analytics website highlighted the Ravens as one of 10 teams to earn a true “A” grade or better. In breaking down each player, PFF was mostly impressed by the top two selections of Starks and Green. “The Ravens let the board fall to them and take the best available player on the PFF Big Board,” PFF writes of Starks. “Starks brings high-level football intelligence and great anticipation to make plays on the ball in coverage.” PFF notes that Green, while facing off-the-field concerns, “has the talent to be one of the biggest steals” of the draft. He posted a 20.2% pass-rush win rate and a 9.4% run-stop rate while earning 90.0-plus grades in each of the past two seasons. Sports Illustrated: B “Baltimore has a type, and it certainly stuck to it this year,” Matt Verderame writes. The addition of Starks gives the Ravens “one of the league’s top safety pairings,” and Green is described as “a first-round talent.” “Jones is a value pick on the offensive line, but whether he sticks at tackle or kicks inside remains to be seen,” Verderame writes. USA Today: B Acknowledging that the Ravens “got two standouts in the first two rounds” to address their needs, Nate Davis called the selection of Green a “pretty bad organizational look.” “The Ravens have significant issues here currently with K Justin Tucker (who they are apparently in the process of replacing with sixth-rounder Tyler Loop) and in their past — yet chose a guy with multiple sexual assault allegations in his past (Green has denied both),” he writes. “Baltimore is a more talented football team today than it was a week ago, but at what cost?” CBS Sports: B+ Chris Trapasso said that DeCosta “is one of the savviest decision-makers in football, routinely allowing the draft to come to him.” He calls Green and Buchanan “two explosive defenders up front with modern-day, well-rounded games,” while Jones and Vinson “are two developmental types up front on offense, although Jones is much closer to being starter-ready.” Peebles is highlighted as “an explosive interior pass-rusher” and a “great Round 6 find.” “Another prudent draft weekend for Baltimore,” he writes. Associated Press: B+ Rob Maadi praises Starks as a “mature, talented and can thrive on a team that knows how to develop safeties” while calling the selection of Green “excellent value” as “a first-round projection who slipped due to off-field concerns.” Jones and Buchanan are highlighted as “possible Day 3 steals.” Washington Post: B- “Put aside the propriety of whether the Ravens should have drafted pass rusher Mike Green despite his off-field issues — particularly given that their longtime kicker, Justin Tucker, is being investigated by the NFL under its personal conduct policy. Both players have denied wrongdoing,” Mark Maske writes. “Purely on football considerations, the Ravens fortified their defense meaningfully by getting safety Malaki Starks in the first round and Green in the second.” Maske notes that Baltimore “did far less to help quarterback Lamar Jackson and the offense,” though the selection of Loop “gives the Ravens a potential alternative to Tucker.” Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

With the 2025 NFL draft over, the Ravens have turned their attention to the undrafted market. Baltimore entered the draft with 70 players and made 11 picks, leaving room for more additions. Here’s a look at who they’ve added so far (this article will be updated): Auburn defensive lineman Jayson Jones (according to The Draft Network): The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Jones was a starter at Oregon before transferring to Auburn, where he recorded 37 tackles in two seasons. The Under Armour All-American posted 2 1/2 tackles for loss and 1 1/2 sacks in four college seasons. Rutgers defensive back Desmond Igbinosun (according to CBS Sports): The 6-2, 213-pound Igbinosun made 29 starts at safety for the Scarlet Knights, recording 186 tackles with 15 for loss and two sacks in his career. The Union, New Jersey, native played running back, wide receiver and defensive back at at Union High School. Memphis linebacker Chandler Martin (according to Memphis): The 6-foot, 229-pound Martin played at East Tennessee State before transferring to Memphis, where he was twice named first-team All-American Athletic Conference after leading the team in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks in 2023 and 2024. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds. Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins (according to The Athletic): The 6-foot, 224-pound Higgins spent five seasons at Iowa and led the FBS in combined tackles (295) over the past two seasons. The two-time first-team All-American learned behind Detroit Lions first-round pick Jack Campbell for three years before taking over as the starter. Monmouth RB Sone Ntoh (according to FCS Football Central): The 5-11, 235-pound Ntoh scored a touchdown in 21 of 23 career games and ranks second in program history with 39 career rushing scores. He rushed for 487 yards on 109 carries in 2024, good for an average of 4.5 yards per carry. Ntoh played in 19 games in three seasons at Harvard University, where he graduate in May 2023. Minnesota running back Marcus Major Jr. (according to Coach J.D. Runnels Jr.): The 6-foot, 213-pound Major rushed 194 times for 833 yards and eight touchdowns in five seasons at Oklahoma before transferring to Minnesota, where he rushed for 371 yards and three touchdowns and caught 20 passes for 144 yards and a score in 2024. Oregon State offensive lineman Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan (according to Sportskeeda): The 6-8, 315-pound Christian-Lichtenhan played in 33 games, including 19 starts, at Colorado (including blocking for Shedeur Sanders in 2023) and graduated with a degree in communications before spending his final season at Oregon State. He made 12 starts at left tackle for the Beavers, earning an 81.8 overall by Pro Football Focus. Temple defensive end Diwun Black (according to Temple News Sports): The 6-4, 246-pound Black played two seasons with at Temple after spending two at Florida and one in junior college at Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Jackson, Mississippi, native recorded four sacks in 2024 and earned a second-team All-AAC honors. Minnesota-Duluth tight end Sam Pitz (according to Christian Shanafelt): The 6-6, 248-pound Pitz recorded 940 receiving yards and 17 touchdown catches over the four seasons in Division II. He posted a vertical jump of 34 inches while running the 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds. Illinois State defensive back Keondre Jackson (according to Illinois State): The 6-2, 207-pound Jackson ranked third on the team with 99 tackles and contributed 1 1/2 sacks, 4 1/2 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three interceptions to earn FCS All-American honors in 2024. Albany offensive lineman Ozzie Hutchinson (according to Albany): The 6-3, 305-pound Hutchinson was an All-Coastal Athletic Association selection for the Great Danes but was limited to just six games last year because of foot and ankle injuries. He recorded 26 reps on the bench press, a broad jump of 8 feet, 6 inches and a vertical jump of 26 inches at his pro day. Arizona State wide receiver Xavier Guillory (according to Arizona State): The 6-2, 201-pound Guillory was one of the top receivers in the FCS at Idaho State, recording 52 catches for 785 yards and four touchdowns in 2022. He had 43 catches for 565 yards and six touchdowns in two seasons with the Sun Devils. Guillory ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds and posted a vertical jump of 39 inches at his pro day. Miami (Ohio) offensive tackle Reid Holskey (according to Aaron Wilson): The 6-6, 306-pound Holskey started all 14 games and earned first-team All-Mid-American Conference honors after helping the Red Hawks rush for 135.3 yards per game. The four-year starter was named Miami’s Offensive Power Player of the Year. Towson linebacker Nchabanu Fortaboh (according to Towson): The 6-3, 225-pound Fortaboh earned a rookie minicamp invite from Baltimore. The Germantown native led the Tigers with 6 1/2 sacks and nine tackles for loss in 2024 while recording 33 tackles and a forced fumble after transferring from Virginia University of Lynchburg. James Madison linebacker Jacob Dobbs (according to Draft Diamonds): The 6-foot, 233-pound Dobbs was invited to rookie minicamp. The 2024 second-team All-Sun Belt selection led the Dukes in tackles (74) to go with 3 1/2 tackles for loss, three sacks and three fumble recoveries. Nebraska wide receiver Jahmal Banks (according to Aaron Wilson): The 6-4, 220-pound Banks, a former St. Frances star who was born in Washington, played four seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to Nebraska, where he led the Huskers with 587 receiving yards and ranked second with 44 catches and three receiving touchdowns in 2024. Arkansas cornerback Marquise Robinson (according to Aaron Wilson): The 6-1, 192-pound Robinson began his career at Southwest Mississippi Community College before moving to South Alabama and finally Arkansas, where he recorded 36 tackles, seven pass breakups and one interception in 2024. Baylor wide receiver Ketron Jackson Jr. (according to Aaron Wilson): The 6-3, 205-pound Jackson was invited to rookie minicamp. The former four-star recruit played two seasons at Arkansas before transferring to Baylor, where he had 28 catches for 489 yards as a junior in 2023 and 12 receptions for 236 yards in 2024 while missing two games because of injury. Louisiana cornerback Keyon Martin (according to Aaron Wilson): The 5-9, 166-pound Martin was invited to rookie minicamp. The Youngstown State transfer had three interceptions and 17 pass breakups in 36 games at Louisiana. Middlebury College offensive lineman Thomas Perry (according to NFL Network): The 6-3, 317-pound Perry earned an invitation to rookie minicamp. The Division III standout and first-team All-American became the first player from Middlebury to be invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl. Maryland offensive lineman Isaac Bunyun (according to Aaron Wilson): The 6-3, 321-pound Bunyun was invited to rookie minicamp. After switching from defensive line to offensive line in the offseason, the Ghana native made 12 starts at left guard for the Terps. Wyoming kicker John Hoyland (according to The Draft Network): The 5-10, 200-pound Hoyland received an invitation to rookie minicamp. He made 72 of 91 field goal attempts (79.1%) in his four-year career at Wyoming with a long of 56 yards. He also recorded 118 touchbacks on 246 kickoffs with eight going out of bounds. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Justin Tucker is still a Raven. For how much longer remains to be seen. On Saturday, Baltimore used a draft pick on a kicker for the first time in the organization’s history, selecting Arizona’s Tyler Loop in the sixth round. “I just thought he was a really talented player,” general manager Eric DeCosta said. “It made sense for us to do that for a lot of different reasons. I told you guys multiple times this spring we would look at kickers.” When DeCosta was asked whether Loop will simply compete for the job or if the expectation is that he will be the team’s kicker moving forward, he demurred. “Right now, they’re both on the roster,” he said. “It was a situation for us where we’re just trying to find the best football players. “[Loop] will be here next week, get a chance to see his leg and that will help us address what our decision making is going to be moving forward.” The move comes as Tucker, 35, is being investigated by the NFL over sexual misconduct allegations brought against him by several massage therapists from numerous Baltimore-area spas. Tucker has denied the allegations and no criminal or civil actions had been filed against him. Given that investigation and a potential suspension, the decision by the Ravens to choose a kicker with one of their 11 draft picks this year was not a surprise. Tucker is also coming off the worst season of his career after converting just 73% of his field goal attempts in 2024. Coach John Harbaugh said that Tucker was at the team’s facility working out this week and that the two spoke about the possibility of Baltimore drafting a kicker. “He already understood,” Harbaugh said of Tucker. “He knew the situation. He’d seen all those quotes, too, [about drafting a kicker], so he knew that was a possibility.” Ravens senior special teams coach Randy Brown had also been traveling the country meeting with and working out kicking prospects in the weeks leading into the draft. Loop, who has one of the strongest legs in this year’s class, was of course one of those kickers. He met with Ravens scouts at the Hula Bowl All-Star game in January. He met with Brown at the scouting combine in February. He continued to talk with Brown and exchanged film with him. So when Miami’s Andres Borregales was selected 182nd overall by the New England Patriots, four spots ahead of where Baltimore was picking, the Lou Groza Award semifinalist had a feeling where he was about to go. Even before then he had an inkling, ordering a Ravens T-shirt a couple of days earlier that he wore during a call with reporters on Saturday. “Oh dude, total elation getting the call,” he said. “I saw the area code come across my phone and I was like, ‘Let’s go, I’m going to Baltimore.'” Arizona kicker Tyler Loop made 67 of 80 field goal attempts in college to finish with the highest field goal rate (83.75%) in school history. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Now the question is if he will replace Tucker, who joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2012 and has since become the most accurate kicker in NFL history. While it’s unclear when the NFL’s investigation into Tucker will conclude, or what, if any, punishment he will face, Ravens brass clearly felt that kicker was a position that needed to be addressed given the uncertainty surrounding Tucker. DeCosta said he has not gotten any recent updates on when the investigation could be finished and likewise said that he has not been given a timeline. Related Articles READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? Ravens draft by the numbers: One stat to know about all 11 picks 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 2025 draft Ravens draft grades: Analysts again give high marks — with notable caveat Ravens 2025 undrafted free agent tracker: Auburn DL, Rutgers DB added In drafting Loop, the Ravens landed at least one of the best kickers in the draft. An All-Big 12 honorable mention last season, Loop converted 18 of 23 field goal attempts and set a school record with a 62-yard field goal against Houston. For his career, he made 67 of 80 field goals to finish with the highest field goal rate (83.75%) in school history. Loop also made 23 of 25 extra point attempts last year to go with 53 touchbacks on 56 kickoffs. There’s a familiarity with Tucker as well. Loop said that as a Texas Longhorns fan growing up, Tucker was one of his favorite kickers. So was Arizona alum Nick Folk. “There’s elements of guys like that who’ve had success in the league and been regarded as elite placekickers in the NFL,” he said. “I admire a lot of parts of their games, but it’s one of those things, it’s like I’ve got things I can do to learn from them but I’ve also got my own style.” He also said it’s not daunting either competing with or following in the steps of Tucker, who is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. “I think it’s really exciting more than pressure just because it gives you something to shoot for,” he said. “You always want to be improving, we always want to be chasing perfection. “Getting to follow in the footsteps of a guy like that who’s been so elite and get to compete with him and maybe learn from him, that gets me fired up.” Now the only question perhaps is when Baltimore will move on from Tucker. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The annual NFL draft has always been a gamble for teams looking for prospective players, but the Ravens went off script Friday night in the selection of Marshall edge rusher Mike Green with the 59th overall pick in the second round. It could be the difference in Baltimore’s recent postseason failures. Overall, this draft could have significant impact even though the outcome won’t be determined for another three or four years until this class has developed. The Ravens drafted Georgia safety Malaki Starks in the first round Thursday night with the 27th pick and then selected LSU right tackle Emery Jones Jr. in Round 3 on Friday night after Green. But it’s Green that has this city buzzing in more ways than one. He faced sexual assault allegations in high school and at the University of Virginia in 2022 before transferring to Marshall in 2023. Those allegations forced him to drop from the top 20 list of prospects, and it comes as the NFL continues to investigate numerous sexual misconduct allegations by massage therapists in the Baltimore area against Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. This also follows the Ray Rice incident from 2014 in which video showed the former Pro Bowl running back punching his then-fiancée in the face in an elevator in a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It would seem that the Ravens would stay away from players with these reputations, but they still selected Green. “I would say that we investigated this situation very thoroughly. I think we have the best scouts in the NFL,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Friday night. “We’ve got great scouts that go into Virginia. They go into Marshall. We’ve got people that work for investigating different incidents with players all the time, and we felt comfortable taking [Mike Green]. “We think he’s a talented player. We understand the severity of what these allegations were, of course, but doing our due diligence, we are comfortable with Mike. I personally spent an hour and a half with him in my office, and I think the best is yet to come with him, and I’m glad we got him.” Let’s be honest, what did you expect him to say? I believe DeCosta. At this point, the Ravens have too much to lose. Because of the video, Rice became the centerpiece of many discussions about domestic abuse in America and Tucker’s alleged misconduct has become the topic of numerous conversations around the NFL, especially since he might be the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history. But the Ravens’ zero tolerance policy in regards to players was fictional, even amusing. If that were the case in either the league or with the Ravens, there would be no NFL or Baltimore Ravens. There are few choir boys in the NFL, which is why the Ravens’ selection of Green was so intriguing. DeCosta revealed the most basic truth when he said, “We think he’s a talented player.” Case closed. If other teams wanted to pass over Green in the first round and late into the second, that’s their problem. If the Ravens did their due diligence, then they might have gotten perhaps the best pass rusher in college football even though he went to a smaller school like Marshall. If he doesn’t pan out in Baltimore, so what? This team has a history of messing up in the second round with clunkers like linebackers Sergio Kindle (2010 draft), Arthur Brown (2013), Kamalei Correa (2016) and Tyus Bowser (2017) and tight end Maxx Williams (2015). Ring a bell? The Ravens were in desperate need of edge rushers. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy had a career-high 12 1/2 sacks this season but he recently turned 34. The other edge rusher, Odafe Oweh, had 10 sacks but neither showed up in big games. Replacements Tavius Robinson, David Ojabo, Adisa Isaac and Malik Hamm combined for 5 1/2 sacks. That’s not good enough, especially in the postseason. That’s where the Ravens will face the best in the likes of Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes. The Ravens were in need of some fresh legs and some new blood, which they got in Green. It’s hard to tell if he will be the next Peter Boulware or Terrell Suggs, but at 6-foot-3 and 251 pounds, he led the nation in sacks with 17 in 2024. He doesn’t have great bulk but an explosive first step, and his wrestling background allows him to gain leverage. He lines up on the outside but can twist inside against slower guards. He has a nonstop motor and can play with power, having bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. The Ravens have done well in the first three rounds. Starks’ ability to play the deep ball allows them to move fellow safety Kyle Hamilton up near the line of scrimmage, where he becomes an impact player. Jones fits the Ravens’ mold as a run blocker even though he has a strong punch and can neutralize an end once he gets his hands on him. But the addition of Green might be outstanding. In the past, the Ravens have remained status quo with their philosophy of drafting the best player possible even though they “stretch” like most other teams in certain situations. This time, though, they reached and gambled on Green. It could pay off. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

The Ravens came into this year’s NFL draft with 11 picks and needs at safety, edge rusher, offensive line and elsewhere. With eight of those selections coming between rounds 4 and 8, they will be busy Saturday. After opening the draft with Georgia safety Malaki Starks, Marshall edge rusher Mike Green and LSU offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr., there is still room to fill out a large rookie class. Baltimore entered the final day of the draft Saturday loaded with eight picks — Nos. 129 (fourth round), 136 (fourth), 176 (fifth), 183 (sixth), 203 (sixth), 210 (sixth), 212 (sixth) and 243 (seventh). Here’s a closer look at who they took. No. 129 (fourth round): California LB Teddye Buchanan Buchanan led UC Davis in tackles for two straight seasons before transferring to Cal for a fifth year. There, he led the Bears in both tackles and tackles for loss in addition to five sacks. The 6-foot-2, 233-pound linebacker from San Francisco projects as linebacker depth and a special teams contributor. Buchanan played quarterback until his junior year of high school. According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, a broken thumb sidelined Buchanan, but he didn’t want to miss any football so he wrapped it up and moved to linebacker — a position he blossomed at from a two-star recruit to Day 3 draft pick. This pick shows how heavily the Ravens are investing on the defensive side of the ball. There was a need for safety depth beside an All-Pro so they drafted a player who can provide versatility to shore up the back end. And Baltimore strengthened its defensive line Friday night. At linebacker, the Ravens have an All-Pro in Roquan Smith with some uncertainty in who could be his No. 2. Chris Board, Malik Harrison and Kristian Welch, the trio who handled duties by committee after Trenton Simpson was benched last season, all left in free agency. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

A pair of sexual assault allegations against Mike Green sent the Marshall edge rusher’s stock tumbling down the board at the NFL draft this week. Friday night, his free-fall ended perhaps surprisingly in Baltimore. Widely viewed as a top-20 prospect based on his ability and production that included leading the country in sacks with 17 last season, Green was instead selected 59th overall by the Ravens in the second round. In the end, while 31 other teams passed on Green, which included some that reportedly took him off their draft board entirely, the Ravens ultimately picked him because of his talent but also because general manager Eric DeCosta, coach John Harbaugh and others in the organization felt “comfortable” doing so. Comfortable with their due diligence into the allegations. Comfortable with Green’s character. Comfortable with the scrutiny that will undoubtedly come with investing in a player who faced the kinds of allegations the organization has spoken out against with a perceived zero-tolerance policy that eventually was clarified as not being one at all, with each matter determined on a case-by-case basis. “We investigated the situation very thoroughly,” DeCosta said of the allegations that were made against Green. “We’ve got people that work for us investigating different incidents with players all the time. We felt comfortable taking him. We think he’s a talented player. We understand the severity of what these allegations were, of course, but doing our due diligence we are comfortable with Mike.” While Green, a Williamsburg, Virginia, native and an All-American, has never been charged and has denied the accusations, he faced sexual assault allegations both in high school and at the University of Virginia in 2022. He was also suspended from Virginia before transferring to Marshall ahead of the 2023 season. Green’s selection also comes against the backdrop of an NFL investigation into Justin Tucker after voluminous sexual misconduct allegations against the kicker by numerous massage therapists from spas around the Baltimore area. It also calls into question the perceived zero-tolerance policy, which was emphasized by owner Steve Bisciotti after the release of running back Ray Rice. In 2014, a video showed Rice punching his then-fiancee and future wife in the face in an elevator inside a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Still, DeCosta said he personally spent 90 minutes in his office with Green ahead of the draft. He also said the organization did more work behind the scenes looking at different things relating to Green and the allegations. “We got as much information as we could,” he said. “We considered the facts, we considered the allegations, we considered what the reports actually were and what they actually weren’t and we made the decision based off of that.” Yet even with the cloud of the Tucker investigation hanging over the organization, DeCosta stressed that it did not play a part in his decision on whether or not to draft Green. “I don’t think it would be fair to either player,” he said. “It’s two different situations. Allegations are severe. We take it seriously, we look at them individually and do as much homework as we can and specifically to Mike I feel like we did a good job talking to as many people as possible.” As for Green, he was not made available to reporters Friday night. He did, however, volunteer the allegations during the scouting combine in February and spoke at length. He also met with the Ravens during that process. Related Articles Ravens select OL Emery Jones Jr. at No. 91 in 3rd round of NFL draft Ravens draft Marshall’s Mike Green, who has denied sexual assault allegations Inside Malaki Starks’ journey from being homeless to Ravens draft pick Over 30 NFL drafts, the Ravens have made more than 240 picks. Search, sort and browse them all. Ravens draft highlights: Malaki Starks gets party started in Round 1 “There’s accusations out there. I’ve never been questioned,” he told reporters then. “I’ve never been asked. Nobody ever asked me a question about what happened before I departed from Virginia. It was just accusations that caused me to leave. “I have no problem with talking to these teams about it because I know who I am and I know the truth.” Harbaugh, meanwhile, echoed similar sentiments as DeCosta. He also called the due diligence the Ravens did exhaustive. Asked if it was still a difficult decision to use the pick on Green, DeCosta compared it to a multitude of factors. “It’s a difficult decision when a guy runs a slow 40 [yard dash]. It’s a difficult decision when a guy has allegations. It’s a difficult decision when a guy has an injury that you think he can’t overcome that but maybe he can overcome,” he said. “That all gets factored in because in the end there is an element of risk mitigation with everything we do.” Harbaugh also called him a “relentless” player. “The first thing that jumped out is his motor,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a guy thats gonna come in here Day 1 and he’s gonna make a mark.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

After choosing safety Malaki Starks in the first round and edge rusher Mike Green with their second pick, the Ravens took Emery Jones Jr. with their third-round selection in the NFL draft. Jones, an offensive lineman from LSU, started at right tackle for the Tigers opposite Will Campbell, who the New England Patriots selected at No. 4 overall. The 6-5, 315-pound Jones played every snap last season and nearly all of them over his first two years in college at right tackle. The Ravens view the two-time All-SEC selection as a swing tackle, general manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh said Friday night, but they did not dismiss the possibility of him also playing at guard. “He’s got the chance to be a swing backup tackle for us right away,” Harbaugh said. “We’re gonna put him in there at guard and see how he does to get a feel for him.” It’ll be difficult for Jones to start immediately at either tackle position with left tackle Ronnie Stanley and right tackle Roger Rosengarten entrenched on both sides. But offensive tackle depth is difficult to acquire, as the Ravens learned when Stanley spent stretches over the past few years sidelined with injury. The interior is Jones’ easiest path to immediate playing time. DeCosta said Jones worked inside in front of scouts at the Senior Bowl. “I was just really impressed with his competitiveness in practice,” DeCosta said. “A lot of times, some players go down there and they sort of treat it as a fun week. With Emery, the one-on-ones, this guy was fighting and battling in all the competitive periods and really showed a lot of effort, tenacity. It just seemed like watching him, he’s a Ravens type of player.” DeCosta added he considered trading up to secure Jones. “Emery was a guy that we really liked,” the general manager said. “I thought there was a chance to get Emery down there, but it’s a long day. And you start to see linemen go. I’m just glad he was there.” If the Ravens view Jones as a future guard, there’s a potential opening on the left side opposite Daniel Faalele. Patrick Mekari, who started there for much of last season, departed in free agency. Andrew Vorhees could also be in line to start at left guard next season. The Ravens did not immediately make Jones available to the media Friday night through a Zoom or conference call, which the team did for Starks and is standard practice for every team with Day 1 and 2 selections, after also not making Green available to the media earlier in the evening. Green, who posted 17 sacks last season and was considered by many a first-round talent, was accused of sexual assault twice, once in high school and again in college at Virginia. He was dismissed from the team before transferring to Marshall and has denied both allegations. Baltimore is also navigating allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior against kicker Justin Tucker. “We investigated this situation very thoroughly,” DeCosta said. “We felt comfortable taking [Green].” Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons. Related Articles Ravens draft Marshall’s Mike Green, who has denied sexual assault allegations Inside Malaki Starks’ journey from being homeless to Ravens draft pick Over 30 NFL drafts, the Ravens have made more than 240 picks. Search, sort and browse them all. Ravens draft highlights: Malaki Starks gets party started in Round 1 3 takeaways from Ravens’ first-round draft pick, Georgia’s Malaki Starks View the full article

The Ravens selected Marshall edge rusher Mike Green with the 59th overall pick in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday night, taking a first-round-caliber prospect who dropped because of sexual assault allegations. Green spent two years at Virginia before transferring in 2023 to Marshall, where he become one of the most productive players in the country. This past season, the Williamsburg, Virginia, native led all of college football in sacks (17), ranked second in the country in tackles for loss (22 1/2) and was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award given to the nation’s top defensive end. Entering the draft, Green was ranked No. 17 overall on the consensus big board and a projected first-round pick. However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday night that Green had been taken off several teams’ draft boards because he faced sexual assault allegations both in high school and at the University of Virginia in 2022, the latter of which Green previously said was an “anonymous report.” Green said he was suspended from Virginia before transferring to Marshall ahead of the 2023 season. He was never charged and denies any wrongdoing. “We investigated this situation very thoroughly,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Friday night. “We have the best scouts in the NFL. We’ve got great scouts who go into Virginia, they go it Marshall. We’ve got people that work for us investigating different instances with players all the time and we felt comfortable taking him. “He’s a talented player. We understand the severity of what these allegations were, of course. But doing our due diligence, we are comfortable with Mike.” Green was not made available to speak with local reporters after the Ravens drafted him Friday night. In recent years, the Ravens have routinely set up a Zoom or conference call shortly after almost all their draft picks are made. Green’s lone comments were a post on X shortly after the pick became official, “#RavensFlock Watch what I do for y’all.” He did, however, address the allegations fairly transparently during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. “There’s accusations out there. I’ve never been questioned,” Green said in February. “I’ve never been asked. Nobody ever asked me a question about what happened before I departed from Virginia. It was just accusations that caused me to leave.” Green acknowledged that he would have no problem talking openly about it with teams during the predraft process. The Ravens brought him to Baltimore for a visit as part of their preparation before drafting him. They interviewed him at the combine as well. Coach John Harbaugh said that the team’s due diligence before making this pick was “exhaustive.” Baltimore made this pick while already under a microscope for an NFL investigation into Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. At least 16 massage therapists from Baltimore-area spas accused the 35-year-old kicker of sexual misconduct, The Baltimore Banner reported earlier this year. Tucker has not been charged or faced any civil lawsuits as a result of the alleged incidents, which were reported to have taken place between 2012 and 2016. Ravens brass said they will let the investigation play out before making any formal decisions. In 2022, Harbaugh was asked about Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was suspended by the NFL for 11 games and fined $5 million in 2022 after multiple accusations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. At the time, Harbaugh said, “Basically, we’re kind of zero tolerance. You have to know the truth, you have to try to understand the circumstances, but we’ve stayed away from that particular situation — when we draft players, when we sign them as free agents.” Related Articles Ravens select OL Emery Jones Jr. at No. 91 in 3rd round of NFL draft Inside Malaki Starks’ journey from being homeless to Ravens draft pick Over 30 NFL drafts, the Ravens have made more than 240 picks. Search, sort and browse them all. Ravens draft highlights: Malaki Starks gets party started in Round 1 3 takeaways from Ravens’ first-round draft pick, Georgia’s Malaki Starks DeCosta was asked about the team’s “zero-tolerance policy” at the combine in regards to how they may proceed with Tucker. “I think the biggest thing that we have to do is look at every single case differently,” DeCosta said at the time. “There are no absolutes. I think in this case, we’re still awaiting as much information as possible.” After the allegations against Tucker surfaced, the Ravens stated that they do not have a defined, written zero-tolerance policy and added that each situation stands on its own and that actions are determined once the facts are known. The mention of the Ravens and a zero-tolerance policy traces back more than a decade. After the 2014 release of running back Ray Rice after a video emerged of him punching his then-fiancee and future wife in the face, team owner Steve Bisciotti was asked if the Ravens would have zero tolerance for domestic violence going forward. He said, “Some things are going to change. I give you my word. I think that’s pretty safe [to say].” In 2015, during the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix, then-team president Dick Cass said specifically that Baltimore did not have a zero-tolerance policy, even after the release of three players that offseason following their arrests. Then, during last year’s police investigation into Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers over an alleged domestic violence incident that was later suspended without any criminal charges, current team president Sashi Brown was asked about the team’s “zero-tolerance” policy. “No change in terms of our philosophy and our approach,” Brown said in part during the league’s owners meeting in Orlando, Florida. “Very hard circumstances, always complicated for us, for the league that investigates it, for law enforcement.” On the field, Green, at 6-foot-3, 248 pounds with a knack for bringing down the quarterback, blossomed into an All-American defensive lineman at Marshall, helping lead the Thundering Herd to a 10-win season culminating in a Sun Belt championship. During the Senior Bowl, he went viral for leveling eventual Washington Commanders first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr. There was talk of the Ravens possibly drafting an edge rusher in the first round, so it’s no surprise that they capitalized early on Day 2. Under pass rush coach Chuck Smith, Baltimore has been among the league leaders in sacks each of the past two seasons. But 34-year-old Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh — both of whom broke out for career highs in sacks last year — as well as David Ojabo are all on expiring contracts in 2025. Tavius Robinson will be a free agent the year after. DeCosta said last month that he felt this was one of the deeper positions in the draft. There were several edge rushers on their draft board who “we think could come in and compete to play right away,” DeCosta said last month, “or develop and become really good players, so that’s exciting for us.” Green will benefit from strong mentorship in an impressive pass rush room. And Harbaugh said that he’s a guy who could arrive at rookie minicamp and make his mark immediately. Even if he’s not an immediate starter, Green figures to have high upside on the field despite arriving in Baltimore under a murky cloud of past allegations. “I think the best is yet to come with him,” DeCosta said, “and I’m glad we got him.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Malaki Starks is a hugger, always has been. “He’d give you a hug before practice, after practice,” Shane Sorrow, his former youth football coach in Jefferson, Georgia, told The Baltimore Sun. “He’d never curse. He told you he loved you.” Even when, as a 6-year-old playing against kids a year older in that small town (population 15,756) in the shadow of the University of Georgia where he would later star, he once took a handoff and ran 20 yards backward, out of bounds, behind the bench and down along the track because he didn’t like getting hit. Before his next time touching the ball, Sorrow told him to run toward the white lines in front of him. “He was 20 yards ahead of everybody, touchdown,” Sorrow continued in his deep Southern drawl. “It was cash money.” The Ravens’ newest safety, whom Baltimore selected with the 27th overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday night, has always had a way, on the field and off. One day, as a sophomore at Jefferson High and already a budding star, his coach, Gene Cathcart, had to leave a film session early to deal with a relative out of state who was battling addiction. A curious Starks asked an assistant where he was going, and when he didn’t get a full explanation, continued to pry. Later that day, Cathcart said, he got a voicemail from Starks telling him that the coach was family and therefore whoever he was going to see was as well — and to let him and the rest of the team know if he needed anything. “I remember thinking, ‘I’m 57 years old and I’m not that mature,’” Cathcart told The Sun, a crack in his voice. “He didn’t have to kiss up for playing time. He was already the guy he was.” The next year, after losing 30-14 in the Class 4A state title game to Marist — the same school that Baltimore All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton prepped at — Starks was giving another hug. Tearing up from the defeat, he noticed assistant coach Devon Gales heading toward him in a wheelchair as he was walking off the field. Gales, a former college player at Southern, had been paralyzed during a 2015 game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium. Starks leaned over and the two embraced for several seconds, a moment that was captured in a photograph that still hangs in Cathcart’s office and is even closer to his heart. “Here’s an example of someone who’s literally the pride of his hometown,” Cathcart said. “He loves the game and the game has loved him back.” Safety Malaki Starks, second from right, the Baltimore Ravens first round draft pick, poses with defensive coordinator Zack Orr, left, head coach John Harbaugh, and general manager Eric DeCosta during an introductory press conference at the Under Armor Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Friday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Georgia safety Malaki Starks, the Ravens' first-round draft pick, speaks to the media on Friday in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Safety Malaki Starks, left, the Baltimore Ravens’ first-round draft pick, speaks to the media alongside defensive coordinator Zach Orr during a press conference at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Friday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Safety Malaki Starks, center, the Baltimore Ravens first round draft pick, poses with head coach John Harbaugh, and general manager Eric DeCosta during an introductory press conference at the Under Armor Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Friday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Safety Malaki Starks, the Baltimore Ravens first round draft pick, speaks to the media during a press conference at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Friday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Safety Malaki Starks, the Baltimore Ravens first round draft pick, speaks to the media during a press conference at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Friday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Safety Malaki Starks, center, the Baltimore Ravens first round draft pick, poses with head coach John Harbaugh, and general manager Eric DeCosta during an introductory press conference at the Under Armor Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Friday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Safety Malaki Starks, left, the Baltimore Ravens’ first-round draft pick, speaks to the media alongside defensive coordinator Zach Orr during a press conference at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Friday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Safety Malaki Starks, second from right, the Baltimore Ravens first round draft pick, poses with defensive coordinator Zack Orr, left, head coach John Harbaugh, and general manager Eric DeCosta during an introductory press conference at the Under Armor Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Friday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Safety Malaki Starks, left, the Baltimore Ravens’ first-round draft pick, speaks to the media alongside defensive coordinator Zach Orr during a press conference at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Friday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Safety Malaki Starks, the Baltimore Ravens first round draft pick, speaks to the media during a press conference at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Friday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Show Caption1 of 11Safety Malaki Starks, second from right, the Baltimore Ravens first round draft pick, poses with defensive coordinator Zack Orr, left, head coach John Harbaugh, and general manager Eric DeCosta during an introductory press conference at the Under Armor Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md., on Friday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff)Expand It didn’t matter that Starks was once homeless. When he was between the third and sixth grades, his mom Tisha and dad Larry bounced between hotels and a relative’s living room or a spare couch to find shelter wherever they could for Malaki and his older sister Mariah. His parents kept working and kept attending all of his practices and games and eventually things got better. The experience also had a profound and shaping impact. “I think when you look back on things that me and my family have been through, just being able to stay true to ourselves, but also keep God first,” Starks said Friday during his introductory news conference in Owings Mills. “Things happen for a reason, and you may never know, and you may know right away, but just having faith in that and staying true to ourselves is what really got me to my point today.” Athleticism and football IQ, among myriad attributes, didn’t hurt, either. In addition to being a top football recruit coming out of high school, Starks was a track star, too. He won the 4A individual state title in long jump (23 feet, 7 inches) and flashed elite speed by running the 100-meter dash in 10.55 seconds. Once he got to Georgia, his impact on the football field was immediate. On the first series of his college career, he recorded his first interception in leaping, dazzling fashion, picking off Oregon quarterback and future Denver Broncos first-round pick Bo Nix. Two games later in his first start in a game against South Carolina, he snagged another one on a wheel route pass intended for a running back. Starks finished the season with 68 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups — but that was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. As a sophomore, Starks was even better as a first-team Associated Press All-American selection and finalist for the Bronko Nagurski (top defender) and Jim Thorpe (top defensive back) Awards after 52 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups as he helped the Bulldogs to a national championship. Last year, he led Georgia in tackles (77) to go with four tackles for loss, four pass breakups and an interception. Then came the NFL scouting combine in February. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound Starks’ athleticism stood out in the form of a 4.5-second 40-yard dash time and 33-inch vertical jump. But it was his 15-minute interview with the Ravens that blew general manager Eric DeCosta, coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Zach Orr away. “It was remarkable the way that he could discuss football, his awareness, his ability to call out the plays from their defense before we even show the plays, just based on formation,” DeCosta said. “His ability to dissect and talk about what happened at any given play and to know what his teammates were doing on any given play. It was like he was a coach, and when he got up, we were all kind of looking at each other.” DeCosta said the highest grade Baltimore gives prospects is a 7 and that Starks got that mark in every category. Harbaugh noted that Starks was given a “red star,” the team’s highest designation for a draft prospect. It’s easy to see why. In addition to his maturity, production and football IQ, Starks is versatile. At Georgia, he played multiple positions in the secondary. From deep safety to in the box to even playing some man coverage on receivers — a rare trait for a safety — he was all over the field. The possibilities are tantalizing to Orr. “We were already talking about all the different ways [of] how he adds to our defense, man, and we talk about the advantage that we feel like we have here in Baltimore is being positionless, and that’s all over the field, but especially with our secondary,” he said Friday. “He helps create an advantage for us and a disadvantage to the [opposing] offense, because he can line up all over the field for us and be productive along with the other DBs we have in the room, so we’re excited to continue to add to that, and it’s going to be great for us.” Related Articles Ravens select OL Emery Jones Jr. at No. 91 in 3rd round of NFL draft Ravens draft Marshall’s Mike Green, who has denied sexual assault allegations Over 30 NFL drafts, the Ravens have made more than 240 picks. Search, sort and browse them all. Ravens draft highlights: Malaki Starks gets party started in Round 1 3 takeaways from Ravens’ first-round draft pick, Georgia’s Malaki Starks It’s been that way since Starks’ early days. When he was about 9 or 10 years old, Sorrow said, he was playing defensive end when a toss sweep went the other direction. He contained his side of the field — then pursued the running back with such speed a verve that he beat the cornerback on that side of the field to make the tackle. Now, he hopes to be the next in a line of great safeties to play for Baltimore, from Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed to Hamilton now. He’ll wear No. 24, just as he did in college. He also hasn’t forgot how far he’s come and the journey that got him to Baltimore. “I was homeless twice and there was a period of time where I didn’t really see my parents because they were working day shifts, night shifts, whatever the case be,” he said. “But I’ve never seen them not work for anything, and I saw it, and it turned me into who I am today. “When things don’t go my way, when I don’t know what to do, I put my head down and work. It’s always been what I do.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Since their founding in 1996, the Ravens have drafted more than 240 players, more than enough to cover each sideline if draftees stood a yard apart. The group includes 34 wide receivers (the Ravens’ most drafted position going into the 2025 draft) and 12 players from the University of Alabama (most common school). It includes nine Ravens Ring of Honor members and three members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Heading into the 2025 draft, it included 22 players who never made it into a regular-season NFL game. Search, sort and browse the full list below. Position key: C – center | CB – cornerback | DB – defensive back | DE – defensive end | DL – defensive lineman | DT – defensive tackle | FB – fullback | G – guard | LB – linebacker | OL – offensive lineman | OLB – outside linebacker | P – punter | QB – quarterback | RB – running back | S – safety | T – tackle | TE – tight end | WR – wide receiver View the full article

The NFL draft is a whirlwind. Sometimes, it’s hard to keep track of it all. In recognizing that fact, The Baltimore Sun has devoted this space to highlighting the most important stories and key moments involving the Ravens’ selections from the opening round on Thursday night all the way to pick No. 257 on Saturday afternoon. Best targets on Day 2 Who could be on the clock when the Ravens are picking at No. 59 overall (second round) and No. 91 (third) on Friday night? They still need to address defensive line, edge rusher, cornerback and offensive line. Here’s a look at some of the top players at those spots: Defensive line Darius Alexander, Toledo T.J. Sanders, South Carolina Alfred Collins, Texas Edge rusher Nic Scourton, Texas A&M Landon Jackson, Arkansas JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State Cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State Offensive line Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota Jonah Savaiinaea, G/T, Arizona Tate Ratledge, G/C, Georgia Continue reading here. 5 things to know about Malaki Starks Here’s a handful of things to know about Baltimore’s first-round pick. He was a three-year starter at Georgia He was a “red-star guy” It’s the third time in the past four years the Ravens took a defensive back in the first round He was a state champion track athlete in high school Thursday night felt long for Starks, too Continue reading here. 3 takeaways from Ravens’ first-round pick Here are three things we learned from the Ravens’ joyride that was Day 1 of the draft. Starks shined in predraft process The Ravens brought Starks in for a predraft meeting at the NFL scouting combine with DeCosta, coach John Harbaugh and numerous other team staffers. It lasted only about 15 minutes. That was plenty to knock their socks off. Versatility for the Ravens’ secondary John Harbaugh was already licking his chops. Asked if, between the 30 minutes after making the pick official and sitting down to field questions from reporters, he’d already started visualizing what that defense might look like, Harbaugh gave a big smile. “We have, we have.” DeCosta fielded trade calls The phone in the Ravens’ war room started ringing. They had a chance to trade back. DeCosta weighed the possibility of adding a draft capital, which they covet, versus the potential available in sticking and picking. Continue reading here. Mike Preston: Starks makes defense better, but maybe not enough The hope was that the Ravens would secure a top pass rusher on the first day of the draft. That didn’t happen, but they did get better on defense. They still might be able draft a talented pass rusher on Day 2, but it appears more likely that the team will have to sign another veteran free agent. Instead, on Thursday night, the Ravens selected Georgia safety Malaki Starks with the No. 27 overall pick in the first round. Together with Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Washington, the Ravens will have one of the best safety tandems (or trios) in the NFL. Continue reading here. Starks ‘ready to dive into the whole process of being a Raven’ Malaki Starks was sitting on a couch at the NFL draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Thursday night getting ready to play UNO as he tried to keep his mind occupied as the minutes and hours ticked away. “It’s been a long night, so I was just trying to stay calm through the whole thing,” he said. “Then I heard the phone ring and I knew I was going to be a Raven. “I’m ready to dive into the whole process of being a Raven. I’m excited. I don’t want to waste the opportunity.” Baltimore didn’t either, so with the 27th overall pick, Baltimore selected the versatile Georgia safety who checked plenty of boxes in the eyes of general manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh. Continue reading here. Instant analysis: Starks pick gets rave reviews “In landing Starks, Baltimore got not just a productive player (his 77 tackles led the Bulldogs last year), but a defender who can make plays on the ball and is versatile enough to play multiple spots in the backfield.” — Brian Wacker, reporter “The Ravens got better on defense. They didn’t get the edge rusher this team so desperately needs, but in Starks they have a prospect who can play center field on defense and allow fellow safety Kyle Hamilton to go back to playing near the line of scrimmage.” — Mike Preston, columnist “This is a pick to be excited about after the Ravens let up oh so many explosive plays (58 for 20-plus yards, third most in the NFL) in 2024.” — Sam Cohn, reporter “The Ravens’ defensive backfield is full of versatile pieces — a dream for [Zach] Orr, the young defensive coordinator who improved as the season went on and now gets another talent to experiment with.” — Taylor Lyons, reporter Continue reading here. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Eric DeCosta had a clear picture in his head of how he hoped to approach this NFL draft. That picture is him cruising down an empty highway with the wind whistling through his ears. The Ravens’ general manager envisioned himself comfortable in the driver’s seat, maybe one hand guiding the wheel. He’d reach for the dial to turn up the music. DeCosta claimed to have no expectations because what unfolded in the 26 picks before Baltimore was on the clock was going to dictate his calculus at No. 27. In this quirky metaphor from his predraft news conference, prodded about his selection process, DeCosta is “unencumbered and not worrying about [anything] but just driving,” he said, “just drafting and picking the best players.” Here are three takeaways from the Ravens’ joyride that was Day 1 of the draft, which ended with them picking Georgia safety Malaki Starks. Starks shined in pre-draft process The Ravens brought Starks in for a predraft meeting at the NFL scouting combine with DeCosta, coach John Harbaugh and numerous other team staffers. It lasted only about 15 minutes. That was plenty to knock their socks off. “Probably one of the most impressive interviews we’ve ever had at the combine,” DeCosta said. It was Starks’ ability to talk ball and his awareness that shined right away. They’d show him a clip to test out what he was seeing. Before pressing play, Starks, who was the starting safety on Georgia’s 2022 national championship team, was repeatedly calling out defensive schematics based solely on formations. He could dissect plays and had a knack for not only his responsibilities, but that of his teammates on any given play. DeCosta felt like he was sitting across from a coach. Starks walked out of the room and all the coaches looked at one another in amazement at the newest Raven, who Harbaugh called a “red-star prospect,” the highest honor for a Baltimore draftee. Ravens brass grades out those combine meetings on a 7-point scale. There are several categories to judge everything from a prospect’s character to his football IQ. Starks scored 7s across the board. “I haven’t seen that type of detail in a long time,” DeCosta said. When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced the pick, Baltimore’s room full of scouts supposedly stood up and clapped. Harbaugh said “they were jacked.” Sometimes those scouts don’t show elation beyond a golf clap. Baltimore’s coach and general manager said the room was pretty excited about how Day 1 worked out. Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks poses after being chosen by the Ravens with the 27th overall pick of the first round of the NFL draft. (Jeff Roberson/AP) Versatility for the Ravens’ secondary John Harbaugh was already licking his chops. Asked if, between the 30 minutes after making the pick official and sitting down to field questions from reporters, he’d already started visualizing what that defense might look like, Harbaugh gave a big smile. “We have, we have.” Starks spent three seasons at Georgia. He left one of the most dominant programs in college football as a two-time AP All-American and two-time All-SEC selection. He was as reliable as they come, starting 42 consecutive games, pacing the 2024 Bulldogs in tackles (54) as a shifty, chameleon safety. At Georgia, Starks lined up at deep safety, box safety and nickel. Baltimore’s All-Pro Swiss Army knife, Kyle Hamilton does the same. So can Ar’Darius Washington, who broke into a starting safety role in the back half of last season. And cornerback Marlon Humphrey can play both inside and outside. The expectation with this pick is that Baltimore’s secondary — which struggled in deep coverage, leading the NFL in explosive plays allowed in 2024 — suddenly becomes a chess board but every piece is the all-powerful queen that can navigate like a rook and a bishop. “That’s a huge strength that they have,” Starks said. “That’s why they do so well on the defensive side of the ball, they have a lot of guys that can move around and be in different spots and produce at a high level. I think I bring that as well. I think I’m a safety who can move around. So I feel comfortable at the safety spot but I feel comfortable playing anywhere.” According to Pro Football Focus, Starks played 400 snaps as a deep safety, 271 in the slot and 215 in the box this past season. Those figures were similar in disparity the prior two seasons as well. And Starks’ missed tackle rate was below 10% in each of his three years as a starter, per PFF. Georgia coach Kirby Smart said last year, “Malaki can be our best player at five positions.” DeCosta fielded trade calls There were five edge rushers drafted before the Ravens were on the clock. Two defensive backs came off the board. There were four defensive tackles and three offensive tackles that were plucked before Baltimore’s turn. Based on how the first 26 picks unfolded, DeCosta said there were three or four players at the top of their big board with a realistic chance to snag at 27. Related Articles 5 things to know about Ravens first-round NFL draft pick Malaki Starks Ravens draft targets on Day 2: Best available players at positions of need Mike Preston: Ravens defense better with Starks, but maybe not bold enough | COMMENTARY Instant analysis of Ravens’ selection of Georgia S Malaki Starks at No. 27 Ravens take Georgia safety Malaki Starks with 27th pick in NFL draft Draftees like Alabama guard Tyler Booker, Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, Georgia edge rusher/linebacker Jalon Walker, Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen, Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart and Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon — all guys who were tied to the Ravens — were swooped up before Baltimore had a chance. And DeCosta doesn’t like to trade up, with the team’s move into the final pick of the 2018 first round to take Lamar Jackson being a notable exception. The phone in the Ravens’ war room started ringing. They had a chance to trade back. DeCosta weighed the possibility of adding a draft capital, which they covet, versus the potential available in sticking and picking. “For me, maybe I’m getting older and a little bit more conservative than I used to be,” DeCosta said. “But looking at the quality of player that we had with Starks versus what we might have to get, it just didn’t make enough sense for me.” It was a conversation and DeCosta entertained those calls. But Starks was “by far the best available for us when we made the pick.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

It was a long wait for the Ravens on Thursday night, but they came away from the first round of the NFL draft with a new safety who impressed the team on and off the field. Baltimore selected Malaki Starks from Georgia with the 27th pick, a versatile defensive back who complements what the Ravens already have at the position. That came after the Falcons traded back into the first round to jump Baltimore at No. 26 and take edge rusher James Pearce Jr., a possible Ravens target. But defensive coordinator Zach Orr is surely still leaving the first round satisfied. “I feel like it’s a great fit for me to come in and learn from a guy like Kyle Hamilton and other vets in the room like Marlon Humphrey,” Starks said. “I think I fit the culture very well.” Here’s a handful of things to know about Baltimore’s first-round pick. He was a three-year starter at Georgia Starks was not only an immediate impact player for the Bulldogs, but also a reliable safety who avoided injuries throughout his college career. He started 14 of 15 games as a freshman, then started every contest his sophomore and junior seasons. The 6-foot-1, 203-pounder totaled 197 tackles — he led Georgia in tackles with 77 as a junior — 23 passes defensed and six interceptions over his three seasons. He helped the Bulldogs win their second consecutive national championship as a freshman on a defense loaded with now-NFL players. “One thing I’ve learned from Ozzie [Newsome],” general manager Eric DeCosta said Thursday night, “experienced guys from winning programs, that’s a big deal.” He was a “red-star guy” The Ravens were in love with Starks’ intangibles, an obsession that began at their NFL combine interview. DeCosta called it “one of the most impressive” interviews he’s ever conducted. The Ravens have a grading scale to chart every combine interview across various categories, DeCosta said. Seven is the best score. “Across the board, he got straight sevens,” DeCosta said. “I haven’t seen that type of detail in a long time.” He similarly had a red star drawn next to his name on the Ravens’ draft board, a symbol reserved for the team’s favorite prospects. “The way the scouts felt about him once we once we picked him, they were, like, jacked,” coach John Harbaugh said. “On top of that, the mentality, the mindset, the football character, the guy just loves be out there. He can’t wait to hit the grass.” It’s the third time in the last four years the Ravens took a defensive back in the first round Baltimore’s defense-first mentality has been especially evident in recent drafts. Starks joined Kyle Hamilton and Nate Wiggins as Ravens first rounders in the secondary and will soon play in the same secondary to form what figures to be one of the best young trios in the NFL. Related Articles Ravens draft targets on Day 2: Best available players at positions of need Mike Preston: Ravens defense better with Starks, but maybe not bold enough | COMMENTARY Instant analysis of Ravens’ selection of Georgia S Malaki Starks at No. 27 Ravens take Georgia safety Malaki Starks with 27th pick in NFL draft NFL draft live updates: Browns trade No. 2 to Jaguars, who pick Travis Hunter DeCosta doesn’t quite agree with the notion that Baltimore’s focus on that unit has been intentional, but he’s quick to note the importance of the position and how depth there always proves elusive as seasons go on. “If you’re going to lose a game, an easy way to lose it is by having a bad secondary,” the general manager said. “We never want to be in that position.” He was a state champion track athlete in high school Starks’ athleticism has an obvious origin story. As a freshman in 2019 at Jefferson High School in Georgia, Starks won the individual state championship in the long jump with a 23-7 mark and led his team to a state title. He also touts a 100-meter dash personal best of 10.55 seconds. “I got into it because of my older sister, she ran track, and I wanted to do everything that she did,” Starks said in 2023. “My favorite event changed a lot. In middle school, it was high jump; I was very good at it. My favorite event from my freshman year to my junior year would be the 100. I hated the 200, but I learned to love it. And I love the long jump. I was a triple jump fan, but it did too much to my knees, so I switched over to long jump. Long jump was my baby.” Thursday night felt long for Starks, too In a news conference with the media shortly after being drafted, Starks said he was about to begin a game of Uno before being selected late Thursday night. Then a timely phone call from Baltimore gave him all the energy he’d need. “I was sitting on the couch about to play Uno. It’s been a long night, so I was just trying to stay calm through the whole thing,” he joked. “And then I heard the phone ring and I knew I was a Raven.” Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons. View the full article

The Ravens will be back on the clock before you know it. By picking Georgia safety Malaki Starks at No. 27 overall in the first round Thursday night, they addressed one of their biggest needs to help fix a secondary that struggled mightily last season. Now, attention turns toward finding players at other important positions on the roster: Defensive line, edge rusher, cornerback and offensive line. Here’s a look at some of the Day 2 prospects at those positions of need who could be available for the Ravens when they pick at No. 59 overall in the second round and No. 91 in the third. Note: Rankings are from the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board. Defensive line Darius Alexander, Toledo (No. 50 overall): The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Alexander recorded 20 tackles for loss and nine sacks in his final three seasons as Toledo. He stepped up against stiffer competition at the Senior Bowl, where he was voted the National Team’s top defensive lineman. T.J. Sanders, South Carolina (No. 56): The 6-4, 305-pound Sanders had 8 1/2 sacks and 16 1/2 tackles for loss as a two-year starter for the Gamecocks. He’s described as a late bloomer because he didn’t focus on football until his junior year in high school. Alfred Collins, Texas (No. 63): The 6-6, 332-pound Collins posted 7 1/2 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in five seasons with the Longhorns, including 5 1/2 tackles for loss as a starter in 2024 after playing behind future pros T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy III. Shemar Turner, Texas A&M (No. 72): The 6-3, 290-pound Turner was a three-year starter for the Aggies, recording 10 sacks and 22 1/2 tackles for loss. The former five-star recruit pulled out of the Senior Bowl because of a stress fracture he suffered during 2024 fall camp and previously had surgery for shoulder and shin injuries. Tennessee defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott celebrates on Sept. 8, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser) Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee (No. 74): The 6-2, 303-pound Norman-Lott played three seasons at Arizona State before transferring to Tennessee, where he recorded 9 1/2 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in two seasons as a rotational player. He led all FBS interior defensive linemen in 2024 in pass rush win rate (12.6%). Joshua Farmer, Florida State (No. 84): The 6-3, 305-pound Farmer was a two-year starter for the Seminoles and posted 11 sacks and 21 tackles for loss. As a team captain in 2024, he finished second on the team in pressures (26). Ty Robinson, Nebraska (No. 97): The 6-6, 288-pound Robinson has played a ton of snaps as a five-year starter with the Cornhuskers, recording 12 sacks and 26 1/2 tackles for loss in 60 games. He was voted one of the team’s toughest players. CJ West, Indiana (No. 100): After four seasons at Kent State, West transferred to Indiana, where he had a breakout year as the man in the middle of the top-ranked run defense in FBS. The 6-1, 316-pound West recorded 42 tackles, 7 1/2 tackles for loss and two sacks for the Hoosiers, standing out for his effort and burst. Deone Walker, Kentucky (No. 104): The 6-8, 328-pound Walker posted 10 sacks and 22 tackles for loss as a three-year starter at Kentucky, where he lined up at three-technique and nose tackle. He was diagnosed with pars defect, a fracture between two vertebrae in the spine, during the 2024 season but still played 11 games. Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon (No. 110): The 6-2, 332-pound Caldwell played scout team offensive line at community college and later walked on at junior college before transferring to Houston and enjoying a breakout 2023 season with 6 1/2 sacks. He played nose tackle at Oregon with more run-stopping responsibilities. Edge rusher Mike Green, Marshall (No. 17): The 6-3, 241-pound Green was considered a first-round prospect after leading the FBS with 17 sacks last season, but during the combine he acknowledged two sexual assault allegations stemming from his time in high school and college. Green was never charged and has denied any wrongdoing. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College (No. 30): The 6-3, 248-pound Ezeiruaku ranked second behind Green with 16 1/2 sacks last season to finish with 30 over his four-year career, joining Mathias Kiwanuka as the only players in school history to do so. His size might be a drawback against the run, but he has the talent to be an effective pass rusher. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M (No. 41): The 6-3, 257-pound Scourton posted a Big Ten-best 10 sacks at Purdue in 2023 and added five sacks with the Aggies playing at a much higher weight on a defense that doesn’t turn its pass rushers loose. He’s one of the youngest players in the class at 20 years old. Landon Jackson, Arkansas (No. 52): The 6-6, 264-pound Jackson, an LSU transfer, became the first player to lead the Razorbacks in tackles for loss and sacks in back-to-back seasons in a decade. He comes with some medical concerns after suffering two season-ending injuries in high school (torn ACL, broken ankle) and a neck injury in his final college game. JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State (No. 53): The 6-4, 264-pound Tuimoloau could be off the board by the time the Ravens pick after recording 23 1/2 sacks and 43 1/2 tackles for loss in four seasons with the Buckeyes, including three as a starter. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler describes him as “one of the most well-rounded defensive prospects in the class.” Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss (No. 57): The 6-4, 244-pound Umanmielen had 15 sacks in three seasons at Florida and nearly matched that total with 10 1/2 in his lone season at Ole Miss. If he can refine his game and play with more urgency, he has all the tools to succeed. UCLA defensive end Oluwafemi Oladejo runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl on Jan. 30, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA (No. 61): The 6-3, 261-pound Oladejo made the switch from inside linebacker to stand-up pass rusher this past season and thrived, recording a career-best 4 1/2 sacks and 13 1/2 tackles for loss. He might just be scratching the surface of his potential. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State (No. 65): The 6-4, 260-pound Sawyer has been somewhat overlooked, but he showed during Ohio State’s four-game run to the College Football Playoff national championship (4 1/2 sacks, 6 batted passes, fumble recovery TD) that he’s a force to be reckoned with. Against top competition, he posted 23 sacks in his four-year career. Bradyn Swinson, LSU (No. 68): The 6-4, 255-pound Swinson made the most of his lone season as a starter, leading the Tigers in tackles for loss (13), sacks (8 1/2) and pressures (59). He’s inexperienced but has the tools to develop into an impact player. Jordan Burch, Oregon (No. 71): The 6-4, 279-pound Burch is a former five-star recruit at defensive tackle who began his career at South Carolina before transferring to Oregon for his final two seasons. The 24-year-old pushes the pocket effectively, recording 8 1/2 sacks and 11 tackles for loss while battling knee and ankle injuries in 2024. Josaiah Stewart, Michigan (No. 81): At 6-1, 249 pounds with no athletic testing numbers, Stewart is not going to be for everyone. But the Coastal Carolina transfer has 30 sacks, 47 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles on his resume and jumps off the screen with his explosiveness. Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (No. 90): The 6-4, 254-pound Kennard transferred from Georgia Tech and led the SEC with 11 1/2 sacks to become the first South Carolina player to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player. His inconsistency, however, could push him to late Day 2. Ashton Gillotte, Louisville (No. 94): The 6-3, 264-pound Gillotte recorded an ACC-leading 14 1/2 sacks to earn second-team All-America honors in 2023 and finished his career ranked fifth in school history in tackles for loss (39 1/2) and sixth in sacks (25 1/2). He’s not fast or flexible, but he plays with power. Jared Ivey, Ole Miss (No. 119): Another Georgia Tech transfer, the 6-6, 274-pound Ivey recorded 16 sacks and 26 1/2 tackles for loss in three seasons at Ole Miss. His 82 3/4-inch wingspan, 85th percentile among defensive linemen, is appealing. David Walker, Central Arkansas (No. 132): The 6-1, 263-pound Walker packs a lot of punch in his compact frame, recording 82 1/2 tackles for loss and 39 sacks over the past four seasons at Division II Southern Arkansas and FCS Central Arkansas. The 25-year-old also has experience dropping into coverage. Cornerback Will Johnson, Michigan (No. 13): The 6-2, 194-pound Johnson has plenty of talent, but injuries and a lack of speed (he declined to run a 40-yard dash before the draft) severely impacted his draft stock. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Johnson “has a knee issue that has concerned some NFL teams.” Trey Amos, Ole Miss (No. 38): The 6-1, 195-pound Amos played three years at Louisiana and then behind Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold at Alabama before transferring to Ole Miss after Nick Saban retired. His standout final season with the Rebels and athletic profile pushed him up draft boards. Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina (No. 42): The 6-2, 202-pound Revel was becoming a first-round lock before suffering a torn ACL in September. He’s an older prospect (24) from a smaller school, but his combination of size, speed and athleticism is intriguing enough for a team to believe in. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame (No. 48): The 6-foot, 193-pound Morrison burst onto the scene as a freshman All-American with six interceptions, but two hip surgeries over the past four years raise some concerns. If he’s fully healthy, he has the tools to be a starter. Florida State defensive back Azareye'h Thomas tackles Florida wide receiver Tank Hawkins on Nov. 30, 2024, in Tallahassee, Florida. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley) Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State (No. 49): The 6-2, 196-pound Thomas lacks high-end speed (4.58-second 40-yard dash), but his length and physicality make him a sticky defender in both man and zone coverage. Darien Porter, Iowa State (No. 66): The 6-3, 195-pound Porter played wide receiver for three seasons with the Cyclones before transitioning to corner. He has rare size, length and speed, but he requires a lot of projection to feel comfortable about his NFL fit. Jacob Parrish, Kansas State (No. 88): The 5-10, 191-pound Parrish is short for the position and might only be a slot defender in the NFL, but he has the athleticism and tenacity to stick on the outside. Nohl Williams, California (No. 96): The 6-foot, 199-pound Williams played three seasons at UNLV before breaking out with the Bears, earning consensus All-America honors in 2024 while leading the FBS with seven interceptions. He’s a reliable tackler and could even play safety. Quincy Riley, Louisville (No. 105): The 5-11, 194-pound Riley, a transfer from Middle Tennessee, ranked second in the FBS with 29 passes defended over the past two seasons. His ball skills are undeniable, as he is the only player in this draft class with at least 15 career interceptions. Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech (No. 113): The 6-1, 185-pound, an Upper Marlboro native who starred at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High, was a five-year starter for the Hokies, recording seven interceptions in 53 games. Offensive line Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota (No. 45): The 6-6, 331-pound Ersery started 38 straight games at left tackle for the Golden Gophers, earning the Big Ten’s Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year Award in 2024. He has the traits to be a long-term starter if he can clean up some of his mistakes. Jonah Savaiinaea, G/T, Arizona (No. 55): The 6-4, 324-pound Savaiinaea (pronounced Savuh-Nye-A-uh) started 36 straight games at three positions along the offensive line, with most analysts projecting his NFL future at guard. His size, length and athleticism make him a candidate to start right away. Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge looks to block against UMass on Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Tate Ratledge, G/C, Georgia (No. 64): If not for his short arms (32 1/4 inches), the 6-7, 308-pound Ratledge has almost a perfect athletic profile. His 40-yard dash (4.97), 3-cone drill (7.38), broad jump (9 feet, 5 inches) and vertical jump (32 inches) all rank 88th percentile or better among offensive line, per MockDraftable. The team captain plays with a competitive edge, though he missed at least one game each of the past four seasons with injuries. Marcus Mbow, G/T, Purdue (No. 67): The 6-4, 302-pound Mbow is a former basketball player, and that shows up in his footwork and fluid movements. His 32 starts in college were split between right tackle (18) and right guard (14), but he’s likely an interior lineman at the next level because of his light frame. Wyatt Milum, G/T, West Virginia (No. 80): The 6-7, 313-pound Milum earned freshman All-America honors at right tackle before anchoring the left side of the Mountaineers’ line for the next three years. Although he didn’t allow a sack at left tackle in his career, he struggled at Senior Bowl practices as a pass blocker and lacks ideal length. He’ll likely stick at guard in the NFL. Jared Wilson, C/G, Georgia (No. 82): The 6-3, 310-pound Wilson turned heads with a standout performance at the scouting combine that included a blazing 4.84-second 40-yard dash. The former soccer player is inexperienced and undersized, but his athletic traits are worth betting on. Ozzy Trapilo, OT/G, Boston College (No. 85): The 6-8, 316-pound Trapilo started mostly at right tackle for the Eagles but has some experience at guard, too. The team captain and first-team All-ACC selection did not commit a penalty on 772 offensive snaps in 2024. Related Articles 5 things to know about Ravens first-round NFL draft pick Malaki Starks Mike Preston: Ravens defense better with Starks, but maybe not bold enough | COMMENTARY Instant analysis of Ravens’ selection of Georgia S Malaki Starks at No. 27 Ravens take Georgia safety Malaki Starks with 27th pick in NFL draft NFL draft live updates: Browns trade No. 2 to Jaguars, who pick Travis Hunter Charles Grant, OT/G, William & Mary (No. 87): The 6-5, 309-pound Grant blossomed from a 240-pound prospect into one of the most dominant players at the FCS level. The former wrestler and team captain started 36 games the past three seasons and has alluring agility and length to mold into a potential starter. Anthony Belton, OT/G, NC State (No. 93): The 6-6, 336-pound Belton used his hulking frame to great effect in 32 starts at left tackle, but issues with penalties, body control and consistency need to be cleaned up to become a reliable contributor. Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU (No. 95): The 6-5, 315-pound Jones started 36 games at right tackle and was twice named second-team All-SEC. Like many of the offensive line prospects in this range of the draft, he has the requisite physical tools to be a starter but needs to be more disciplined. Cameron Williams, OT, Texas (No. 99): The 6-6, 334-pound Williams is considered a raw prospect with only 16 games of starting experience at right tackle. However, his big frame and long arms (34 1/2 inches) are worth betting on as a developmental pick. Miles Frazier, G/T, LSU (No. 114): The 6-6, 317-pound Frazier is versatile and experienced, having played every game the past four seasons with the Tigers and Florida International. His strength and competitiveness stand out. Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia (No. 117): The 6-5, 325-pound Fairchild worked his way up from scout team to starting left guard for the Bulldogs, earning second-team All-America honors in 2024. The former wrestler is a workout warrior with an eye-popping 440-pound bench, 570 squat and 370 power clean. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

The hope was that the Ravens would secure a top pass rusher on the first day of the draft. That didn’t happen, but they did get better on defense. They still might be able draft a talented pass rusher on Day 2, but it appears more likely that the team will have to sign another veteran free agent. Instead, on Thursday night, the Ravens selected Georgia safety Malaki Starks with the No. 27 overall pick in the first round. Together with Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Washington, the Ravens will have one of the best safety tandems (or trios) in the NFL. You could see Starks eventually falling to the Ravens as the draft unfolded. Penn State’s Abdul Carter went to the New York Giants with the No. 3 overall pick and San Francisco selected Georgia’s Mykel Williams at No. 11. The Bulldogs’ Jalon Walker, another top pass rusher, went to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 15 and the Cincinnati Bengals took Texas A&M’s Shermar Stewart three picks later. Once Pittsburgh chose Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon at No. 21 over Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the Falcons traded with the Los Angeles Rams at No. 26 to snatch up Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., there weren’t many pass rushers left. So, the Ravens made out well with Starks. It happens, especially when a team wins as often and goes to the playoffs as consistently as the Ravens. They always end up picking near the end of the first round. Plus, the Ravens are pretty boring in the draft. They aren’t creative and they aren’t bold. They just stockpile picks, but Starks will make this defense better. Last season, the Ravens’ pass defense was ranked 27th, allowing 238.3 yards a game. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound Starks led the Bulldogs in tackles in 2024 with 77, including four for losses. He also knocked down four passes and had an interception. In 2023, he was a first-team Associated Press All-American and finalist for the Bronko Nagurski (top defender) and Jim Thorpe (top defensive back) Awards after registering 52 tackles and posting three interceptions. The Ravens like versatility in the secondary because it allows them to use multiple looks. With Starks and possibly Washington on the backend, that would free the Ravens to put Hamilton back near the line of scrimmage. “Yes, when you look at the defense, I mean a lot of the guys are versatile,” Starks said Thursday night. “I think that’s a huge strength that they have. I think that’s why they do so well on the defensive side of the ball. They have a lot of guys that can move around and be in different spots that produce at a high level, and I feel like I bring that as well. I think I’m a safety that can move around, so I feel comfortable at the safety spot, but I feel comfortable playing anywhere.” Related Articles 5 things to know about Ravens first-round NFL draft pick Malaki Starks Ravens draft targets on Day 2: Best available players at positions of need Instant analysis of Ravens’ selection of Georgia S Malaki Starks at No. 27 Ravens take Georgia safety Malaki Starks with 27th pick in NFL draft NFL draft live updates: Browns trade No. 2 to Jaguars, who pick Travis Hunter Near the line of scrimmage is where Hamilton is a playmaker. He has good hands, can rush the passer and is clearly a mismatch with most running backs who have to block him. A quarterback always has to account for him whenever he is near the defensive front seven. Combined with Starks, the Ravens have an abundance of athleticism. The rookie ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and had a vertical leap of 33 inches. Plus, the Ravens got some inside information on Starks from offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who was Georgia’s offensive coordinator before taking the same position with the Ravens two years ago. The Ravens were fortunate. Once the Bengals chose Stewart and Pittsburgh selected Harmon, there was only one big-time pass rusher left on the board in Pearce, who had reported character issues coming out of Tennessee. But that didn’t stop the Falcons from taking a gamble on him. Atlanta probably had belief that the Ravens were going to make a move on Pearce, and the Falcons were aggressive. It came at steep cost, though, as Atlanta sent the Rams pick Nos. 46 (second) and 242 (seventh) this year, plus their first-round pick in 2026, for Nos. 26 and 101 (third). It will be interesting to see how much Starks can help the Ravens. Outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy were successful against most teams, but were no-shows against opponents that had strong offensive lines, such as Philadelphia and Buffalo. The Ravens return most of their outside linebackers from a year ago in Tavius Robinson, David Ojabo, Adisa Isaac and Malik Hamm, but they only combined for 5 1/2 sacks a year ago. Pearce had 19 1/2 sacks in three seasons with the Volunteers, including 17 1/2 over the past two years. He also had 28 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles during that time. At 6-5 and 245 pounds, he ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, and it seemed as if he would be a great matchup with Chuck Smith, the Ravens’ pass rushing coach. He would be an ideal fit for a team that just couldn’t get consistent pressure in big games. But once Atlanta traded with the Rams, it was time to go back to reality, and that was Starks. And on Thursday night, that worked well for the Ravens, at least for the time being. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ selection of Georgia safety Malaki Starks in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin: Brian Wacker, reporter: It was always going to be defense for the Ravens — and likely going to be a safety — with a need to improve a secondary that was one of the worst in the NFL last season, particularly on plays down the field. In landing Starks, Baltimore got not just a productive player (his 77 tackles led the Bulldogs last year), but a defender who can make plays on the ball and is versatile enough top play multiple spots in the backfield. Starks had three pass breakups and an interception in 2024 and was even better in 2023 when he was a first-team Associated Press All-American and finalist for the Bronko Nagurski (top defender) and Jim Thorpe (top defensive back) Awards after racking up 52 tackles, seven pass breakups and three interceptions. He should be an immediate contributor on defense and special teams. Mike Preston, columnist: The Ravens got better on defense. They didn’t get the edge rusher this team so desperately needs, but in Starks they have a prospect who can play center field on defense and allow fellow safety Kyle Hamilton to go back to playing near the line of scrimmage. That’s where Hamilton is at his best. He is one of the best pass rushers on the team and a playmaker. Hamilton has strong hands and is a mismatch for most running backs in pass protection. Starks is 6 feet 1 and weighs 197 pounds. He led the Bulldogs in tackles last season with 77, including four for losses. He has a good nose for the ball and will help the Ravens in coverage. Last season, Baltimore had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. Sam Cohn, reporter: This is a really strong start to the draft for Baltimore. The safety position drew plenty of ire from the fan base last year with a rotating cast beside All-Pro Kyle Hamilton that took more than half the season before settling on a suitable partner on the back end, Ar’Darius Washington. Starks could make a quick impact, helping shore up that group. The three-year starter out of Georgia ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and jumped 33 inches at the NFL combine. Starks’ speed and ball skills are best downfield, giving the Ravens more flexibility to use their Swiss army knife (Hamilton) where he operates best: closer to the line of scrimmage. A few strengths of Starks’: football IQ, can play the deep ball with plus body control and excellent burst. This is a pick to be excited about after the Ravens let up oh so many explosive plays (58 for 20-plus yards, third most in the NFL) in 2024. Taylor Lyons, reporter: The Ravens joined the rest of the AFC North with going defense in the first round but steered away from the front seven with Georgia safety Malaki Starks. Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Washington, who signed the restricted free agent tender this week, are already one of the NFL’s top safety duos. Adding Starks to the bunch gives defensive coordinator Zach Orr plenty of room to get creative with how he’ll deploy all three. Hamilton could line up deep, a role he thrived in late last season after Marcus Williams was jettisoned from the lineup, or in the box as Starks and Washington complement the Pro Bowl selection elsewhere and Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins anchor the boundaries. The Ravens’ defensive backfield is full of versatile pieces — a dream for Orr, the young defensive coordinator who improved as the season went on and now gets another talent to experiment with. C.J. Doon, editor: Never in doubt, right? Starks was the most common pick among the most accurate mock drafters, and he ends up falling in the Ravens’ laps. His versatility will help shore up a secondary that ranked as one of the worst in the league last year, even after a late-season turnaround. Baltimore loves using three-safety looks, so Starks, All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and breakout star Ar’Darius Washington can all be on the field together. This gives defensive coordinator Zach Orr and new senior secondary coach Chuck Pagano plenty of options to disguise coverages and confuse quarterbacks. Not to mention, he was praised for his leadership at Georgia and his ability to get his teammate lined up properly. Sounds like a perfect fit to fix a sometimes leaky defense. On a related note, the AFC North got a heck of a lot more interesting tonight. The Browns passed on a potential generational two-way player in Travis Hunter and picked up Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham and additional draft capital to rebuild their roster. Whether they regret that move depends on how well Hunter plays and if those additional picks turn into something good (a QB of the future, maybe on Day 2 on Friday? or maybe Arch Manning watch for 2026?), but they were not a Travis Hunter away from competing next year. The Bengals added an athletic marvel in Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart who has all the tools to be a thorn in Lamar Jackson’s side … if he can ever learn to finish sacks. Oh, and of course the Steelers made the sensible pick, taking Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon as the heir apparent to Cameron Heyward. (Sorry, Shedeur Sanders). Those are far from sexy moves, but they could make the Ravens’ division rivals a lot tougher next season and beyond. Related Articles Ravens take Georgia safety Malaki Starks with 27th pick in NFL draft NFL draft live updates: Browns trade No. 2 to Jaguars, who pick Travis Hunter Ex-Ravens TE Shannon Sharpe is temporarily stepping away from ESPN Ravens mock draft roundup: Here’s what the most accurate experts predict Dueling Ravens 7-round mock draft: 2 views on how to build a team Tim Schwartz, editor: This felt inevitable. The last time the Ravens took a safety in the first round, it turned out better than anybody could’ve expected. Kyle Hamilton now has a fellow first-round pick to roam the secondary alongside him in Starks, who cut his teeth for three years in the nation’s top conference. It’s a pick that everybody from Grok AI to the best mock drafters had on their board, and it makes sense. While Baltimore’s defensive improved from its dreadful start to the 2024 season, it was still a weakness by season’s end. This shores up a shaky unit. Now the Ravens can turn their attention to other positions of need — edge rusher and offensive line at the top of that list — with their two picks on Friday night. Bennett Conlin, editor: Grok AI told us the Ravens would win the Super Bowl if they drafted Starks. Mission accomplished! Starks fits into Baltimore’s identity. He’s a three-time All-American who comes from one of the best SEC teams in recent history, and his athleticism and production explain why he stuck on the Bulldogs’ stout defense. Starks made 77 tackles last season, including four tackles for loss, and he broke up 23 passes over the past three seasons to go with six interceptions. He’s an incredibly reliable tackler (84 or higher PFF tackling grade in each of the past three seasons), making it easy to envision Starks growing into the ideal complement for fellow safety Kyle Hamilton. Grok AI might be hyperbolic in suggesting that Starks will put the Ravens over the hump in their journey toward the Lombardi Trophy, but he certainly doesn’t hurt. He’ll contribute immediately and should develop into a multi-year NFL starter. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Last season, the Ravens’ pass defense was one of the worst in the NFL, ranking 27th with 238.3 yards passing allowed per game. Thursday night, they took what they hope will be a big step to help address that problem. With the 27th overall pick in the NFL draft, Baltimore selected Georgia safety Malaki Starks. Starks, a 6-foot-1, 197-pound standout for the Bulldogs over the past three seasons, led Georgia in tackles last season (77) to go with four tackles for loss, three pass breakups and an interception. He was even better in 2023, when he was a first-team Associated Press All-American and finalist for the Bronko Nagurski (top defender) and Jim Thorpe (top defensive back) Awards after racking up 52 tackles, seven pass breakups and three interceptions. He also provides the kind of athleticism and versatility Baltimore typically covets. He can play multiple spots in the secondary and has been praised for his football IQ. “He didn’t have the phenomenal year because they moved him around,” ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said earlier this month. “[But] when he can do what he does, and just lock into that safety spot with his ball skills, his awareness, the way he tackles.” His addition also bolsters a group that needed it after safety Eddie Jackson was released during last season and safety Marcus Williams struggled mightily before being benched and then released after the season. Other than All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowl selection Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Washington, who earlier this week signed a one-year tender to remain in Baltimore, the Ravens’ only other safeties on the roster include unproven second-year players Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade, both of whom contributed almost entirely on special teams last season. It also marks just the second time since 2013 that the Ravens used a first-round pick on a safety. The other occasion was in 2022 when they selected Hamilton 14th overall out of Notre Dame. It was not a big surprise they went that route again with Starks, with general manager Eric DeCosta last week all but guaranteeing he would use a pick on a safety. Long a subscriber to the best-player-available mantra, there’s an argument to be made that’s what he got given Starks’ resume, which had some draftniks predicting he would get picked sooner. A three-year starter at Georgia, he played multiple spots in coach Kirby Smart’s man and zone scheme. He should give Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr plenty of options on where to deploy him for Baltimore, where he should have an immediate impact, including on special teams. Said ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller: “Starks is Baltimore’s dream pick.” This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Instant analysis of Ravens’ selection of Georgia S Malaki Starks at No. 27 NFL draft live updates: Browns trade No. 2 to Jaguars, who pick Travis Hunter Ex-Ravens TE Shannon Sharpe is temporarily stepping away from ESPN Ravens mock draft roundup: Here’s what the most accurate experts predict Dueling Ravens 7-round mock draft: 2 views on how to build a team View the full article

The 2025 NFL draft kicks off Thursday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with Round 1 getting underway at 8 p.m. The event will be televised on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network and streaming on NFL+. Follow along here for live coverage and analysis, with reporters Brian Wacker, Sam Cohn and Taylor Lyons, columnist Mike Preston and editor C.J. Doon tracking all the latest news. View the full article