Every rookie enters the NFL with something to prove, no matter where he is drafted.
The Ravens believe they have another strong draft class, yet each rookie is stepping up in competition while joining one of the NFL's most talented teams.
Here's a question for each Ravens draft pick:
S Malaki Starks, Georgia, Round 1 (27)
Starks will impact the secondary, but in how many ways?
Starks was a multidimensional safety at Georgia and the Ravens have similar plans to use him at deep safety, strong safety, in the slot, and in dime packages. The Ravens have other versatile defensive backs such as Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, and Ar'Darius Washington, so where Starks will line up most often remains to be seen.
An early guess is that Starks will play primarily at free safety, where his range as a ballhawk will give Hamilton freedom to roam. But Starks defended wide receivers and tight ends in pass coverage at Georgia and was a quick learner, starting as a freshman. The Ravens believe he'll grasp their system quickly as well, enabling them to move him around.
"The offense isn't going to know who's going to be back there on any given play," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "[They're] not going to be able to line up and say, 'Okay, Kyle's going to be deep,' or even, 'Ar'Darius is going to be deep.' Those three guys as interchangeable parts … that's pretty exciting."
OLB Mike Green, Marshall, Round 2 (59)
Will Green be a sack specialist as a rookie or a three-down player?
Green's ability as a pass rusher is obvious after leading the FCS in sacks with 17. He has speed, but his power is equally impressive. A clip of him bowling over Washington Commanders first-round draft pick Josh Conerly Jr. (29th overall) at the Senior Bowl went viral.
If Green holds his own quickly as a run defender, he could earn regular snaps in both running and passing situations as part of the outside linebacker rotation led by Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh.
T/G Emory Jones Jr, LSU, Round 3 (91)
Is Jones best suited to play tackle, guard, or both?
Jones played right tackle at LSU, but the Ravens have an affinity for big guards and Jones' size (6-foot-5, 315) and agility fit that profile. Andrew Vorhees is the early favorite to be the starting left guard in 2025, but Jones could be a valuable swingman as a rookie, with the potential to develop into a starter at either position.
LB Teddye Buchanan, Cal, Round 4 (129)
Can Buchanan challenge for a starting job or regular reps right away?
Buchanan was an excellent tackler and ball pursuer at Cal, and he was also solid in pass coverage. The Ravens lost inside linebackers Malik Harrison and Chris Board in free agency and Trenton Simpson's playing time diminished as last season progressed. Buchanan is expected to be an immediate contributor on special teams, but he'll have an eye on earning defensive reps as well.
OT Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M, Round 5 (141)
Will Vinson be a small-school prospect who makes his presence felt in a big way?
Vinson's competitiveness during Senior Bowl practices and against players from larger programs impressed Ravens scouts. It was obvious during Vinson's post-draft interview how much he loves football and how excited he was to be drafted. He'll be motivated to prove he belongs as an offensive line prospect with plenty of upside.
CB Bilhal Kone, Western Michigan, Round 6 (178)
Can Kone's ball skills translate well to the NFL?
Kone is rangy and fluid (6-foot-1, 190) and at Western Michigan, he showed the ability to calmly turn his head and make a play on the ball while in man-to-man coverage. Kone will hope to react the same way in training camp defending Baltimore's top receivers like Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins. Cornerback is an important position where Kone could be an interesting prospect to develop.
K Tyler Loop, Arizona, Round 6 (186)
Will Loop be Baltimore's next kicker?
That's the question so many people are asking after Loop became the first kicker to be drafted in Ravens history. Loop has a fluid, repetitive motion and a strong leg. The future of long-time kicker Justin Tucker remains uncertain due to the NFL's investigation into allegations against him.
WR LaJohntay Wester, Colorado, Round 6 (203)
Will Wester become more than a returner?
Wester is the leading candidate to be the Ravens' punt returner this season. However, he was a highly productive receiver in college, hauling in 326 catches (sixth-most in FBS history) for 3,634 yards. The Ravens have their top three receivers set in stone, but can Wester eventually carve out an offensive role?
DT Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech, Round 6 (210)
Will Peebles' size in the trenches be an issue?
Listed at 6-foot-1, 282 pounds, Peebles will give away size to many NFL interior offensive linemen, but he has a low center of gravity that served him well in college. The Ravens have room for someone to step into the defensive line rotation, and Peebles will look to earn his way onto the roster and into reps.
CB Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers, Round 6 (212)
Is Longerbeam talented enough to standout in a crowded cornerback room?
The Ravens have more experienced defensive backs like Jalyn Armour-Davis and T.J. Tampa who are fighting for reps and roster spots, but Longerbeam intrigued the Ravens as a competitive corner who did well against Big 10 competition. There are no guarantees for Longerbeam in a deep cornerback room.
G Garrett Dellinger, LSU, Round 7 (243)
Will Dellinger's physicality help secure him a roster spot?
Dellinger plays through the whistle and with an edge, and he's used to high-level competition coming from the SEC. He played left guard, left tackle and center at LSU, and that versatility could help him earn a longer look.
