2025 NFL Draft: Know your new Steelers enemies, the Baltimore Ravens

Steeler Nation waited in torture on Night One and the entirety of the 2025 NFL Draft waiting to see who their Steelers would select after enduring the false and presumptive claims from the national media matchmakers. After DT Derrick Harmon joined the black-and-gold, fans turned their attention closely to see who their AFC North competition selected to improve their squad.

Last year Baltimore added the likes of Nate Wiggins and Roger Rosengarten to name a few. Below are the guys that the Ravens will put out against the Steelers twice a year for a good while. We include excerpts of scouting analysis from SCN’s very own Andrew Wilbar’s 2025 Big Board 300 and what I, the author, think I know.

Round 1, Pick 27 Baltimore Ravens select S Malaki Starks – Georgia

From Andrew Wilbar’s 2025 Big Board 300

Andrew’s Big Board Rank: 22

Height: 6’1″
Weight: 205 lbs.
Draft Projection: Mid Round 1
Notable Accomplishment: Consensus First-Team All-American (2023)

There is a lot to like about Starks. He is listed at 6’1″ but covers ground as if he is even longer, running with long strides and covering a lot of ground in the secondary. His diagnostic skills are top-notch, as he sniffs out the run as anyone when coming downhill. One of the most exciting parts of Starks’ game is his ability to create splash plays. He possesses tremendous ball skills, but it is truly his athleticism and instincts that allow him to break on balls and generate the turnovers he has created at Georgia. Do not let his athleticism take attention away from his discipline, however. He takes smart tackling angles and closes on defenders quickly, minimizing the yards after catch by a receiver or running back in the open field. Starks also does a great job of disengaging from blocks as well, making him a well-rounded run defender. If he tests as well as expected athletically, he checks all the boxes of a top 10 prospect.

We did not see as many splash plays from Starks in 2024, and I cannot give an exact explanation as to why. He was not a liability in coverage, nor was he missing a large number of tackles. I do not consider his dip in statistical production a major red flag, but I was hoping to see him develop as a blitzer this season, and that did not happen. If he could pose a threat as a blitzer when lining up in the slot, his value would increase even more. He also suffers from a little tightness in the hips, especially when he plays near the line in press coverage and is forced to turn and mirror a receiver one-on-one.

What Andrew thinks this means for the Ravens: 

With elite athleticism, footwork, and instincts, Starks has the makings of an elite safety in the NFL. He can play either up high or down low, and he can defend both the run and pass at high levels. It is hard to tell how high safeties will go, but when taking positional value out of the equation, he is one of the 10-12 best players in this class. Compares to Justin Simmons.

What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers: 

The Ravens always seem to do well in their secondary. Pairing Starks with Kyle Hamilton is going to make passing the ball against B-More brutal.

Round 2, Pick 59 Baltimore Ravens select OLB Mike Green – Marshall

From Andrew Wilbar’s 2025 Big Board 300

Andrew’s Big Board Rank: 13

Height: 6’4″
Weight: 248 lbs.
Draft Projection: Mid Round 1
Notable Accomplishment: Led FBS in Sacks in 2024

No prospect is more attractive than one who provides both the talent and the proven production upon entering the NFL, and Green is one of the few prospects in this class who checks both boxes. Despite just average length, Green does a great job generating leverage with his hand usage. He can win multiple different ways, but when he gains leverage early in the rep, he is practically unstoppable as a pass rusher. His first-step quickness may not be elite, but it is certainly above-average, and when combined with his outstanding bend, he becomes a difficult assignment for taller linemen. Green is also beyond his years in terms of development, as he has already developed multiple effective pass rush moves. As a run defender, Green is simply tenacious. His fantastic hand usage allows him to disengage at a high success rate, and his awareness allows him to act quickly and bring down a ball carrier.

The biggest concern I have for Green is his size. He needs to become stronger at the point of attack, and that begins with hitting the weight room. His frame is a bit slight, and opposing linemen only get stronger at the next level. If he fails to add more weight and improve his core strength, he will get pushed around at the NFL level. In the open field, Green takes poor tackling angles, which is something he must choose to remain disciplined in. We have seen him display the ability to be a top-notch tackler in short phases, but developing consistency in that aspect of his game will be a key part of his development. While I am not typically concerned about a lack of experience, Green, in all reality, is just a one-year starter.

Green is slowly becoming one of my favorite prospects in this class, and I think he has a legitimate shot of being selected inside the top 15 picks. His combination of production and athleticism make for a high-upside prospect with a respectable floor. Even in a solid class of edge rushers, he stands out and looks the part of an NFL pass rusher.

What Andrew thinks this means for the Ravens: 

One of my favorite prospects in this class, Green’s combination of production and athleticism make for a high-upside prospect with a respectable floor. Even in a solid class of edge rushers, he looks the part of an NFL pass rusher.

What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers: 

Baltimore adds another guy that can get in the Steelers backfield. The hope is that his lack of size will be a factor and that the black and gold can contain Green.

Round 3, Pick No. 91 Baltimore Ravens select OT Emery Jones Jr. – LSU

Andrew’s Big Board Rank: 103

Height: 6’5″
Weight: 315 lbs.
Draft Projection: Early Round 4
Notable Accomplishment: Freshman All-American and Second-Team SEC in 2023

From BAD’s Little Board

Pros

·      Plays Mean

·      Exhibits Football Character

·      Reliable

·      Athletic

·      Strong Hands

·      Motor that Goes into Overdrive

·      Patient

Cons

·      Doesn’t Always Adjust Directionally with Ease

·      Sometimes Plays with a Lack of Control

·      Tends to Allow Defenders to Shed Him

What BAD thinks this means for the Ravens: 

Projects more as a Guard in the NFL, but could be a force on a team that manufactures Pro Bowl Offensive Linemen.

What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers: 

Has shown some run blocking struggles but is a fine prospect that could fit right in at M&T and give the Steelers fits for a long time.

Round 4, Pick 129 Baltimore Ravens select LB Teddye Buchanan – Cal

Andrew’s Big Board Rank: 188

Height: 6’2″
Weight: 233 lbs.
Draft Projection: Late Round 5
Notable Accomplishment: 2024 First-Team All ACC

From BAD’s Little Board

Pros

·      Good Pro Size

·      Athletic in Space

·      Light on Feet

·      Good Lateral Movement

·      Covers Fast in Coverage

Cons

·      Slow to Diagnose

·      Not Always First to the Ball Carrier

·      More of an Assistant on Tackles

What BAD thinks this means for the Ravens: 

Projects as a Special Teamer that could eventually start for Baltimore.

What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers: 

Has Raven size and attitude, but may be just another ST guy.

Round 5, Pick 141 Baltimore Ravens select OT Carson Vinson – Alabama A&M

Andrew’s Big Board Rank: 109

Height: 6’7″
Weight: 314 lbs.
Draft Projection: Mid Round 4

Notable Accomplishment: Honorable Mention AP FCS All-American and HBCU All-American

From BAD’s Little Board:

Pros

·      Quick and Deliberate Lateral Movement

·      Athletic Feet

·      Nice Jab

·      Good Hand and Feet Coordination

Cons

·      Doesn’t Always Complete and Hold Blocks

·      Needs to Play with More Strength

·      More of an Assistant on Tackles

·      Struggles Engaging the Rush

What BAD thinks this means for the Ravens: 

Vinson is a project. Will need to redshirt before he is ready, but could be a find in Round 5 if he adds mass to his 6’7” frame.

What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers: 

If he gains mass and strength to go with his impressive height, could be great. But nothing to worry about in the short term.

Round 6, Pick 178 Baltimore Ravens select CB Bilhal Kone – Western Michigan

Andrew’s Big Board Rank: 162

Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190 lbs.
Draft Projection: Round 4
Notable Accomplishment: Led Team with 9 Pass Breakups in 2024

From BAD’s Little Board:

Pros

·      Nice Length

·      First-Rate Ball Skills

·      Plays with Poise

·      Makes Smart Challenge Choices

·      Instinctive

·      Nice Awareness

Cons

·      Below Average Transition Quickness in Coverage

·      Average Against the Run

·      Slow to Recover After Getting Behind in Route Defense

·      Doesn’t Always Finish Tackles

What BAD thinks this means for the Ravens: 

Kone could be a starter in this league as a zone corner drafted later than he was projected.

What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers: 

With nice all-around skills, has an opportunity in a few years to pester the Steelers with fantastic ball skills and nice size.

Round 6, Pick 186 Baltimore Ravens select K Tyler Loop – Arizona

Andrew’s Big Board Rank: Not Ranked

Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190 lbs.
Draft Projection: Round 6
Notable Accomplishment: Honorable Mention All-Big 12/School Record Holder with a 62-yard field goal and has a Career 83.3% FG Percentage

From BAD’s Little Board:

Pros

·      Highly Experienced

·      Excelled at 50-Yard Plus Field Goals in College

·      Athletic Enough to Make Tackles

·      Kicks with Power

·      Gets Touchbacks

·      Can be the Emergency Punter

Cons

·      Missed two extra points in 2024

·      Vocal when Dissatisfied with his Holder

What BAD thinks this means for the Ravens: 

Let them spin it any way they want, the Justin Tucker controversy couldn’t be ignored, so the Ravens sought out the best in show who has All-Pro potential and a big leg.

What BAD thinks this means for the Steelers: 

They don’t have to face a guy that has kicked balls down the middle forever against them. But the Ravens got quality and a whole lot younger here.

The Rest

Round 6, Pick 203 Baltimore Ravens select WR Lajohntay Webster – Colorado

Round 6, Pick 210 Baltimore Ravens select DL Aeneas Pebbles – Virginia Tech

Round 6, Pick 212 Baltimore Ravens select CB Robert Longerbeam – Rutgers

Round 7, Pick 243 Baltimore Ravens select OL Garrett Dellinger – LSU