Baltimore Ravens 2025 NFL Season Preview

The Baltimore Ravens’ 2025 offseason was a steady blend of smart recruitment and headline-making decisions. GM Eric DeCosta stayed true to his blueprint—build through the draft, spend selectively, and bring in players who fit the Ravens’ culture both on and off the field.

Most recently, two-time Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander is chose to sign for Baltimore, inking a one-year deal reportedly worth up to $6 million. The Ravens beat out strong interest from the Falcons and Dolphins, with GM Eric DeCosta making a persistent push to land the star corner since March. His arrival adds yet another elite piece to a Ravens defense already loaded with talent and hungry for a Super Bowl charge.

📥 Notable Signings & Retentions:

1. Ronnie Stanley (LT) — Locked down the left tackle spot with a fresh 3-year, $60M contract ($44M guaranteed), keeping Lamar Jackson’s blind side well-protected.
2. DeAndre Hopkins (WR) — Inked a 1-year, $5M deal after a solid stint with the Chiefs, giving Baltimore a seasoned pass-catcher with big-game experience.
3. Cooper Rush (QB) — Arrives on a 2-year, $6.2M contract to offer a steady hand behind Jackson at quarterback.
4. Chidobe Awuzie (CB) — Adds depth in the secondary on a team-friendly 1-year, $1.255M deal.
5. Joseph Noteboom (OT) — Signed a 1-year, $2M contract to add flexibility along the O-line.
6. Jake Hummel (LB) — Agreed to a 1-year, $1.2M deal to bolster the linebacker rotation.
7. Tylan Wallace (WR) — Re-upped for 1-year, $2.1M, primarily for his special teams prowess and WR depth.
8. Ar’Darius Washington (S) — Retained on a 1-year, $3.263M contract to keep continuity in the secondary.
9. Ben Cleveland (OG) — Comes back on a 1-year, $1.17M deal to reinforce the offensive line unit.
10. Jaire Alexander (CB) — Agreed a 1-year, $6M deal to strengthen defensive back core.

📤 Key Exits:

1. Justin Tucker (K) — In a stunning move, the Ravens cut ties with their legendary kicker after drafting Tyler Loop, a decision further clouded by off-field allegations involving Tucker. It marks the end of an iconic chapter.
2. Patrick Mekari (OG) — Signed with Jacksonville for 3 years, $37.5M.
3. Brandon Stephens (CB) — Took a 3-year, $36M deal with the Jets.
4. Malik Harrison (LB) — Moved to Pittsburgh on a 2-year, $10M contract.
5. Chris Board (LB) — Landed in New York with the Giants on a 2-year, $5.7M deal.
6. Josh Jones (OT) — Joined the Seahawks on a 1-year, $4M agreement.
7. Tre’Davious White (CB) — Returned to the Bills on a 1-year, $3M contract.
8. Patrick Ricard (FB) — Signed a 1-year, $2.872M deal elsewhere after years as a Ravens staple.
9. Arthur Maulet (CB) and Brent Urban (DT) — Departed as unrestricted free agents, each signing 1-year deals.
10. Josh Johnson (QB) — Found a new home in Washington on a 1-year, $1.422M deal.
11. Steven Sims Jr. (WR) — Signed with Seattle (1-year, $1.17M).
12. Diontae Johnson (WR) — Joined the Browns on a 1-year, $1.17M deal.

The Baltimore Ravens went big at the 2025 NFL Draft, tying for the league lead with 11 picks and focusing heavily on bolstering their defense and building depth in the trenches. While their haul featured several intriguing prospects, the draft weekend was just as notable for the off-field headlines surrounding the franchise, drawing criticism over perceived inconsistencies in how they’ve handled recent allegations involving players.

Here's a breakdown of Baltimore's draft class:

1. Round 1, Pick 27 – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
   A blue-chip athlete and instinctive playmaker, Starks brings immediate versatility to the Ravens’ secondary. Pairing him with Kyle Hamilton could give Baltimore one of the most dynamic safety duos in the league.
2. Round 2, Pick 59 – Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
   A raw but explosive pass rusher, Green slipped on draft boards due to past off-field issues. Baltimore, known for taking chances after doing deep background work, sees Green as a high-ceiling project who could blossom into a disruptive force off the edge.
3. Round 3, Pick 91 – Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
   A three-year starter with size and strength, Jones adds depth and versatility across the offensive line—possibly pushing for a swing tackle or even a guard role.
4. Round 4, Pick 129 – Teddye Buchanan, LB, Cal
   Known for his sideline-to-sideline range and nose for the football, Buchanan is a heat-seeking linebacker who’ll compete for snaps in the middle of Baltimore’s defense.
5. Round 5, Pick 141 – Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M
   A developmental prospect with impressive physical tools, Vinson is the type of long-term lineman Baltimore loves to groom in-house.
6. Round 6, Pick 178 – Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan
   Kone brings length, athleticism, and promising coverage instincts to the outside corner spot. He adds valuable depth with some upside as a future rotational piece.
7. Round 6, Pick 186 – Tyler Loop, K, Arizona
   The shocker of the draft. Loop, who connected on 18-of-23 field goals last season—including a booming 62-yarder—now steps into the spotlight to replace Justin Tucker, following the legendary kicker’s controversial release.
8. Round 6, Pick 203 – LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado
   A sparkplug with serious return chops, Wester gives the Ravens some juice on special teams and gadget potential on offense.
9. Round 6, Pick 210 – Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech
   Though undersized for the interior, Peebles is relentless with his motor and could provide pass-rushing pop in rotational packages.
10. Round 6, Pick 212 – Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers
    A gritty, competitive nickelback, Longerbeam brings toughness and depth to a position group that’s always in need of reinforcements.
11. Round 7, Pick 243 – Garrett Dellinger, OL, LSU
    Versatility is Dellinger’s calling card. He can play multiple spots along the interior and will have a real shot at carving out a role as a dependable backup.

Zay Flowers became just the second Ravens wideout since 2016 to crack the 1,000-yard barrier, a notable feat—even if the extra 17th game helped him get there. While his 62.3 yards per outing doesn’t scream elite, it’s worth remembering that he surpassed the 1,000-yard threshold by Week 16, before injuries—a nagging shoulder and a knee issue in Week 18—derailed his momentum and kept him out of Baltimore’s postseason charge.

Though not a volume target hog, Flowers still commanded a respectable 26% target share (21st in the league) and ranked 16th in yards per route run at 2.25—a healthy leap from his rookie mark of 1.72. His occasional vanishing acts—drawing five or fewer targets in 12 of his 17 games—weren’t all on him, either. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken admitted the play calling needed to funnel more opportunities his way. Heading into 2025, the plan is to do just that. In a streamlined passing attack, Flowers could easily see an extra 15–20 targets and take a step forward as a dependable WR2.

After a busy offseason spent bolstering their depth and making savvy veteran additions, the Baltimore Ravens head into 2025 with eyes firmly set on reclaiming AFC North supremacy. With a schedule packed with heavyweight clashes and divisional dogfights, staying healthy and maintaining consistency will be key. Thankfully, Baltimore's experienced locker room and stable coaching staff should keep them on track for another playoff-caliber campaign.

Weeks 5–9 of the schedule lines up nicely for a momentum build. Three home games and a well-placed bye offer breathing room. While the Dolphins game on a short week won't be easy, the rest of the matchups are manageable if Baltimore plays to its strengths.

Things start to get spicy between Weeks 10 to 13. Two AFC North grudge matches and a rematch with Cincinnati under the lights loom large. The Jets remain a wildcard with a new-look roster, while Minnesota on the road is a classic trap game. Still, the Ravens have the firepower and focus to handle business. Baltimore closes out with a tough five-game sprint, including two divisional road games against bitter rivals and a trip to a frigid Lambeau in late December. While the Patriots shouldn't pose too much trouble, matchups with the Steelers and Bengals will likely have playoff implications.

Weeks 1–4: Straight into the Fire

Week 1: at Buffalo Bills (SNF)

Week 2: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions (MNF)

Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 5: vs. Houston Texans

Week 6: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 9: at Miami Dolphins (TNF)

Week 10: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 11: at Cleveland Browns

Week 12: vs. New York Jets

Week 13: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (TNF)

Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 16: vs. New England Patriots

Week 17: at Green Bay Packers

Week 18: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Final Record Projection: 11-6

Baltimore's 2025 schedule is no cakewalk, especially the first month, but their blend of high-end talent, veteran leadership, and proven coaching should see them through the gauntlet. Expect them to be in the thick of the playoff mix once again, potentially eyeing home-field advantage if they can weather the early storms.

The Baltimore Ravens are staring down a chance to make AFC North history: no team has ever claimed the division crown three years in a row. To pull it off in 2025, they'll have to close strong, with five of their final eight matchups coming against divisional foes, including tough away days at Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. For rivals hoping to knock Baltimore off its perch, the key remains the same: find a way to contain Lamar Jackson. That's no small feat—over their last two title-winning campaigns, the Ravens have racked up 27+ points in nine of 12 divisional clashes.

This offseason, Baltimore opted for a blend of stability and shake-up. They locked in cornerstone left tackle Ronnie Stanley on a new deal to keep Jackson upright, while also bringing in proven veterans like DeAndre Hopkins at wideout and Chidobe Awuzie to shore up the secondary. In the draft, they focused heavily on defense, first-round pick Malaki Starks is expected to make an immediate impact at safety, while second-round pass rusher Mike Green comes with massive upside but some off-field baggage that turned heads.

The biggest bombshell? Parting ways with iconic kicker Justin Tucker after drafting Tyler Loop amid serious allegations. It marked a jarring, controversial shift in the Ravens’ special teams identity.

Heading into 2025, this team looks built for another run at the summit. With Lamar Jackson playing at an MVP level and Derrick Henry punishing defenses behind him, the offense is locked and loaded. Meanwhile, a defense that blends youth with experience is poised to remain among the NFL's most feared units.

The schedule won’t do them any favors early on, and the divisional gauntlet down the stretch will be fierce. But with their deep roster and seasoned coaching staff, the Ravens have everything in place to chase another deep postseason push—and etch their name in the AFC North record books.