The Ravens have a strong defensive line led by Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones, but General Manager Eric DeCosta could add to the unit in the Draft.
With Michael Pierce retiring and Brent Urban still a free agent, Baltimore needs depth in the trenches, and DeCosta could even use a high pick.
Here is one defensive lineman in each round that could make sense for the Ravens:
Round 1 (No. 27): Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Harmon is a premier defensive lineman in this class and could add juice inside right away. The 6-foot-5, 313-pound Harmon transferred from Michigan State to Oregon for his senior season and put up career highs in tackles for loss (10.5), sacks (five), and forced fumbles (two).
The addition of Harmon next to Madubuike is intriguing after Madubuike saw an increase of double teams in 2024.
"Madubuike would be an awesome person for him to learn from," NFL Network Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah said on a conference call. "Just as a pass rusher, Madubuike is so outstanding. That would be a cool thing to take a guy like Harmon under your wing who has some great tools, but isn't quite as polished as a rusher, as obviously what Madubuike has become. That would be a good learning opportunity for him there."
Round 2 (No. 59): Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
Turner started across three seasons for the Aggies and finished his college career with 10 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss. He only had two sacks as a senior after registering six as a junior, but he played his final season while dealing with a heel injury.
Turner is known for his violent play style, and it makes sense given he grew up idolizing Ray Lewis.
"Turner needs to introduce more discipline to his play style, but he prides himself on being the aggressor and relies on his initial twitch, fierce hands and combative mentality to be a factor," The Athletic’s Draft expert Dane Brugler wrote in The Beast. "He projects best as a penetrating one-gap tackle."
Round 3 (No. 91): Deone Walker, Kentucky
Walker is a hulking prospect at 6-foot-8, 328 pounds, and he comes with three seasons of starting experience in the SEC. Walker had 1.5 sacks last season, but he exploded in 2023 with 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.
Walker got reps across multiple positions on the defensive line at Kentucky, and he could be a strong depth option for the Ravens early in his career.
Round 4 (No. 129 & 136): Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
Brugler had Mills going to Baltimore in his seven-round mock draft, and he's a player that could contribute right away (if healthy). Mills played 62 games in five seasons with Notre Dame, and led the Fighting Irish with 7.5 sacks in his final season.
Mills' college career was cut short due to a knee injury, which forced him to miss Notre Dame's run to the national title game.
"Mills is an energetic player with quickness, play strength and a feel for getting off blocks," Brugler wrote. "... His late-season knee injury will affect his draft projection, but his talent belongs in an NFL defensive line rotation."
Round 5 (No. 176): Jordan Phillips, Maryland
Phillips finished his college career with zero sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. However, he will be just 20 years old on draft weekend and has the tools to develop into a solid player.
Phillips would be a high-upside selection on Day 3, and it doesn't hurt that he spent the last two years at Maryland.
"Phillips is a dancing bear with big-man twitch and commanding power, but his immense talent needs to be unlocked by more mature timing and technique," Brugler wrote. "Although he will need time, he has the traits and work ethic to become a rotational nose with the upside of an NFL starter."
Round 6 (No. 183, 203, 210 & 212): Ty Hamilton, Ohio State
Hamilton was a five-year player at Ohio State, where he appeared in 58 games (29 starts). He never had explosive production (his career-high of 3.5 sacks came last season), but he was a key piece on a team that won the national championship.
At 6-foot-3, 299 pounds, Hamilton offers a depth option later in the draft that could eventually grow into a bigger role.
"Hamilton needs pass-rush development, but he is quick, forceful and urgent to create disruption within the structure of the defense," Brugler wrote. "His coachable attitude and positional versatility raise his NFL floor as a role player and potential starter."
Round 7 (No. No. 243): Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech
Biggers played four seasons at Georgia Tech but will be just 21 on draft weekend, offering upside as he ages. He only had nine tackles for loss and two sacks throughout college, but he contributed in other ways, like blocking four field goals across his career.
"Biggers is appropriately named — his size and ability look good on paper," Brugler wrote. "The traits, however, need to translate better on the field for him to consistently impact the game."
