The NFL Draft is just two weeks away and the Ravens are slated to pick No. 27 overall.
Georgia's Malaki Starks remains a popular pick, but there's been an emergence of pundits pointing to pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, who posted 16.5 sacks last season at Boston College.
Here's who is getting mocked to Baltimore:
S Malaki Starks, Georgia
2024 stats: 14 games, 77 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 3 passes defended
"Starks does a little bit of everything on the back end. He can step up into the box and stop the run. He can drop over the slot in coverage. And he can patrol center field with his closing speed. Baltimore was burned by big plays last season (58 opponent plays went for 20 or more yards, third most in the NFL). The Ravens tried a few different players at the safety spot next to Kyle Hamilton, and the midseason switch to Ar'Darius Washington helped. But Starks would be a real difference-maker. This is a good roster with legit Super Bowl aspirations, and GM Eric DeCosta can't let chunk plays undo them."
"Looks like a Raven, plays like a Raven, feels like a Raven. Starks is heady leader on the back end with an extensive playmaking track record. If he can properly harness his aggressiveness and not let it leave him susceptible to big breakdowns in coverage, he could team with Kyle Hamilton to give Baltimore an imposing tandem at safety."
"Put aside for the moment that Starks is an elite athlete who can line up anywhere in the secondary -- he's also one of the smartest players on the field and that combination is what makes him a first-round talent."
"Somebody probably should have taken the multitalented Starks well before here, but the Ravens –as they often do – get a potential All-Pro falling into their lap."
EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
2024 stats: 12 games, 16.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 80 tackles
"They need help off the edge, as their three top edge pass rushers all have expiring contracts after 2025. The Ravens have shown in the past they will take speedy edge players in the draft. This kid fits that perfectly."
"It's possible Ezeiruaku is long gone by the late 20s, as the depth of his pass-rush arsenal and his attention to detail are arguably better than any other rusher in this class. He's also one of the most agile (sub-7-second three-cone at the combine)."
"The Ravens need a pure pass rusher who wreaks havoc on an island, which is exactly what Ezeiruaku brings. He's a master of creating advantageous rush angles and doesn't lose momentum when he dips his shoulder around offensive tackles."
OG Tyler Booker, Alabama
2024 stats: 13 games, 86.5 pass block grade, 63.9 run block grade, 2.5% pressure rate allowed
"Baltimore could stand to grab an upgrade at guard for its power run game so here is a guard who is perfectly suited for the power run game. Keep it simple."
"Booker is a mammoth guard with overwhelming power and length. He could start at either guard spot and would give Baltimore one of the biggest offensive lines in the NFL."
EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
2024 stats: 13 games, 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 38 tackles
"The Ravens add a dynamic edge rusher who is physical and explosive. Pearce has the potential to make life tough for AFC North quarterbacks."
IOL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
2024 stats: 14 games, 69.9 pass block grade (Pro Football Focus), 70.2 run block grade, 4.5% pressure rate allowed
"The Ravens could go anywhere with this pick, but after the free agency departure of utility man Patrick Mekari (who kicked into guard last season), Jackson would give Baltimore a great option as a replacement. At worst, this builds depth along the offensive line, which is what good teams do."
DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
2024 stats: 12 games, 32 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 7 tackles for loss
"After Michael Pierce's retirement last month, the Ravens could use more size on their defensive interior. Enter Grant, a nose tackle with a rare combination of size and quickness that would complement an already strong defense, as his 87.5 PFF run-defense grade placed in the 90th percentile in college football last season."
OG Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
2024 stats: 16 games, 93.1 pass block grade, 87.0 run block grade, 1.6% pressure rate allowed
"They prefer athletic blockers who maximize their ability to reach the second level, which fits the description of Grey Zabel's game. Zabel would slide next to Tyler Linderbaum and form one of the best-pulling duos in football."
