Jeff Zrebiec Says Ravens Addressing Biggest Need in First Round 'Might Be Difficult'
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec examined the options for the Ravens in the first round of the draft and concluded that addressing what he deemed their biggest need will be a challenge.
"It's hard to look anywhere else but cornerback when you're pinpointing the team's biggest need," Zrebiec wrote. "It, however, might be the most difficult position to find a match at pick No. 27. … It's not a particularly deep cornerback class, so the Ravens will either have to strike early to get a plug-and-play guy, or they'll have to find overlooked talent in the middle rounds."
Zrebiec identified four cornerback prospects who could be in play when the Ravens are on the clock: Michigan's Will Johnson (No. 6 on The Athletic's big board), Texas' Jahdae Barron (No. 15), Kentucky's Maxwell Hairston (No. 38), and Florida State's Azareye'h Thomas (No. 39).
"Johnson and Barron are vying to be the second cornerback taken behind Colorado's Travis Hunter," Zrebiec wrote. "Johnson (6-foot-2, 194 pounds) is the type of long and instinctive cornerback the Ravens love, but he didn't have a great final season at Michigan. His tackling can be spotty and he's been battling injuries throughout the pre-draft process. Once viewed as a lock to go in the top 15, it's not out of the question that he could fall closer to Baltimore's range.
"Barron, meanwhile, was a takeaway machine last year (five interceptions) and plays with strong fundamentals and awareness. However, he projects to play nickel in the NFL. That's where the Ravens use Marlon Humphrey and occasionally safety Kyle Hamilton. Bringing in Barron would likely mean Humphrey plays more on the outside, which could limit some of Baltimore's options."
Analysts Say Re-Signing Ronnie Stanley Was Best Move, Biggest Bargain in Free Agency
With free agency having slowed down after a frenzied start, ESPN’s NFL experts took stock of the transactions thus far.
Analyst Ben Solak named the Ravens' re-signing of Pro Bowl left tackle Ronnie Stanley the best overall move.
"Right before free agency, Baltimore kept one of the best possible free agents in the building when it re-signed Stanley to a three-year, $60 million extension – far less than he would have made on the open market," Solak wrote. "The Ravens remain in a competing window given the MVP-caliber play of quarterback Lamar Jackson and could not let a franchise left tackle leave without a succession plan in place."
Analyst Field Yates also praised the move, calling it the best bargain signing of free agency.
"He was the top tackle available in what was an average free agent class before an average draft class at the position," Yates wrote. "Baltimore retaining him on any reasonable terms was a major coup but doing so at $20 million annually is a substantial win. Stanley was healthy and terrific last season, maintaining the chance to be a career-long Raven with his new deal."
Stanley explained last week why he decided to stay with the Ravens instead of hitting the open market, where a bidding war for his services may have ensued.
"They drafted me straight out of college, took a chance on me," Stanley said. "I'm always going to give them first dibs when it comes to things like that out of respect.
"I knew I was going to give Baltimore the best bargain that I would offer to any other team. That being said, I still wanted to be happy with what I'm making and make sure I'm getting the value that I feel like I deserve. I think it was a good balance that could help the team and something I'm still happy with."
DeAndre Hopkins Named Ravens' Signing With Most Upside
The Ravens' other big move in free agency was landing five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Pro Football Focus’ Ben Cooper said it has the most upside of any of Baltimore's signings this offseason.
"The Ravens have made a habit of signing receivers in their 30s with strong track records, including Odell Beckham Jr., Dez Bryant, Michael Crabtree, Steve Smith Sr. and DeSean Jackson," Cooper wrote. "Few of those players truly thrived in Baltimore, but there's reason to believe Hopkins can buck the trend.
"The 32-year-old tallied only 639 receiving yards in 2024 with the Titans and Chiefs but brought in 54.2% of his contested targets — his best rate since 2018 with the Texans. For only $5 million in base salary, the Ravens are taking a low-risk gamble that Hopkins is still an elite pass catcher."
Why Ravens Are Still Team to Beat in AFC North
The Ravens will attempt to do something in 2025 that no team has ever done: win a third consecutive AFC North title.
The Baltimore Sun’s Childs Walker believes Baltimore is in prime position to three-peat based on the moves it and the other teams in the division have made in free agency.
In addition to retaining Stanley and adding Hopkins, Walker noted that the Ravens' losses this offseason were minimal.
"Baltimore did lose a few players — notably left guard Patrick Mekari, cornerback Brandon Stephens, and linebackers Malik Harrison and Chris Board — but it can find applicable replacements in free agency or next month's draft, and it did well to bring back fullback Patrick Ricard and wide receiver/special teamer Tylan Wallace," Walker wrote. "Losing Mekari stings, but they could find a younger, cheaper version of him in the draft or a more short-term fix in the free agent market."
Looking at the Ravens' AFC North foes, Walker said they all have major questions. The Steelers' quarterback situation is unsettled; the Bengals have done little to improve one of the league's worst defenses and could lose All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson; and the Browns, coming off a 3-14 season, have a number of concerns.
