Ravens Insider: Who will the Ravens pick in the 2025 NFL draft? Grok AI weighs in.

[ExtremeRavens]

Nobody knows who the Ravens will select in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, which takes place next week in Green Bay, Wisconsin. While Baltimore’s opening pick will remain a mystery until close to midnight on April 24, there is no shortage of prognostications on who the Ravens will add to their roster with the 27th overall pick.

A recent CBS mock draft has the Ravens taking Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, a 310-pound beast with starting potential. Harmon’s athleticism and pass-rushing upside could make him an immediate contributor along Baltimore’s defensive front.

Other mock drafts, like The Baltimore Sun’s most recent three-round projection, have the Ravens taking edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku at No. 27. The Boston College pass rusher could immediately contribute to the Super Bowl-contending Ravens, who lack young stars at the defensive end/outside linebacker spot.

With people across the country tossing their projections out there, we wanted to see what artificial intelligence has to say on the subject. We asked Grok AI, which is available to use via social media platform X, who the Ravens will take at No. 27 overall. Here’s how the conversation, which was edited for grammar and clarity, unfolded.

Who will the Ravens select in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft?

Grok AI: It’s impossible to predict with certainty who the Baltimore Ravens will select with their first-round pick (No. 27 overall) in the 2025 NFL draft, as decisions depend on team needs, prospect evaluations, and draft-day dynamics. However, based on current analyses, the Ravens are likely to target positions like cornerback, offensive guard, edge rusher or safety to bolster their roster.

Mock drafts suggest several possibilities:

• Malaki Starks (S, Georgia): Praised for his playmaking, he could pair with Kyle Hamilton to strengthen the secondary. Some see him as a value pick if he slides because of athleticism concerns.
• Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE, Boston College): Noted for adding pass-rush juice, addressing potential needs with aging or departing edge players like Kyle Van Noy or Odafe Oweh.
• Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas): A takeaway machine who could add depth at cornerback, especially after losing Brandon Stephens in free agency.
• Tyler Booker (G, Alabama): A top guard prospect to replace Patrick Mekari and solidify the offensive line alongside Ronnie Stanley.
• Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon): An ultra-disruptive lineman who fits Baltimore’s defensive ethos, though his inconsistency might make him a late first-round steal.

Pundits highlight the Ravens’ strategy of taking the best player available, often prioritizing defensive playmakers or offensive line depth. Their final choice will hinge on how the board falls and whether GM Eric DeCosta trades up, down or stays put, as he’s known for both coveting picks and making deals.

The Baltimore Sun: Not bad, Grok, not bad at all. Although saying DeCosta is known for “both coveting picks and making deals” feels like a description that could be used for 90% of general managers. Maybe a future iteration of Grok will have bolder takes about the decision-making of NFL executives.

READER POLL: Which position should the Ravens draft in the first round?

Run 10,000 NFL draft simulations. Who do the Ravens pick most frequently in the 2025 first round?

Grok AI: Running 10,000 NFL draft simulations isn’t feasible in real-time due to the complexity of draft dynamics, which involve team needs, player availability, trades, and unpredictable decision-making … Without running actual simulations, Barron stands out as the most frequently mocked player to the Ravens in recent analyses due to their need for secondary depth and his draft stock aligning with the late first round. His selection rate in mock drafts (around 20-25% of projections) edges out Starks (15-20%), Booker (15%) and Ezeiruaku (10-15%), based on sources like The Athletic, NFL.com and SI.com.

The Baltimore Sun: Perhaps in a future year Grok or other artificial intelligence chatbots will be more willing to run NFL draft simulations mimicking the drafting behavior of NFL general managers and coaches.

If you were the Ravens’ general manager, who would you pick at No. 27?

Grok AI: As the hypothetical GM for the Baltimore Ravens in the 2025 NFL draft, with the No. 27 pick, I’d select Malaki Starks, safety, Georgia.

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The Ravens’ defense thrives on versatile playmakers, and Starks is a top-tier safety with elite range, instincts, and ball skills (3 INTs, 10 PBUs in 2024). Pairing him with Kyle Hamilton creates a dynamic secondary to counter pass-heavy AFC offenses like Kansas City and Buffalo. While edge rusher (e.g., James Pearce Jr. of Tennessee) is tempting due to Kyle Van Noy’s age and Odafe Oweh’s [impending] free agency, the edge class is deep, allowing a Day 2 pick there. Starks’ first-round grade and fit in Baltimore’s scheme make him the best player available, aligning with Eric DeCosta’s strategy of prioritizing impact over immediate need.

The loss of Brandon Stephens also elevates secondary concerns, and Starks’ versatility addresses multiple roles (deep safety, slot). This pick balances long-term upside with immediate impact, though I’d consider trading down if a team offers a strong package, given the depth at other positions.

The Baltimore Sun: Grok AI is really high on Georgia safety Malaki Starks, a former five-star prospect and a critical member of one of college football’s best programs the past three seasons. Starks started 14 games in each of the past three years, earning All-American honors in both 2023 and 2024. He could form a fearsome safety duo with Hamilton. How might the addition of Starks impact Baltimore’s 2025 postseason goals?

Grok, who do you think will win the next Super Bowl?

Grok AI: The Ravens over the Eagles, 31-27. Quarterback Lamar Jackson earns MVP with a rushing TD and 300 total yards, finally getting Baltimore over the hump at Levi’s Stadium. This is a speculative call based on today’s landscape. Draft picks like Malaki Starks (if the Ravens grab him, as I’d advocate) could further tip scales.

The Baltimore Sun: Grok AI really loves Starks, suggesting he could be the difference-maker in a Super Bowl run. Will DeCosta follow the advice of artificial intelligence?

Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin.

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