Baltimore Ravens Mock Draft: Ravens focus on the trenches in the early rounds

• Strengthening the defensive line: Caleb Banks lost most of his senior season at Florida to a broken foot, but the speed he’s showing at his size suggests he can develop into an excellent pro. He started to break out late in his 2024 campaign, registering three sacks, 17 total pressures and a 16.7% pass-rush win rate over his final three games against LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State.

• A potential replacement for free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum: Despite 796 pass-blocking snaps as a two-year starter at Kansas State, Sam Hecht didn’t allow a sack and gave up just one quarterback hit. As a run blocker, he scored positive on more than 15% of his zone scheme runs over the course of his career.

For the first time in 18 years, the Baltimore Ravens enter the season with a new head coach. Jesse Minter takes over after spending the past four seasons as defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh at both Michigan and with the Los Angeles Chargers.

With the uncertainty surrounding star interior defender Nnamdi Madubuike’s neck injury – and a defensive front that has struggled to generate pressure without him – adding youth and athleticism should be at the top of Minter’s offseason priority list.

On the other side of the ball, Baltimore hired Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator. With center Tyler Linderbaum potentially headed to free agency starting in 2025 along with both starting guards, Doyle may need to use draft capital to rebuild the interior offensive line. The Ravens could also target another wide receiver, but don’t be surprised if this draft class focuses heavily on strengthening the line of scrimmage.

Round 1, pick 14: DI Caleb Banks, Florida

Banks lost most of his senior season at Florida to a broken foot, but the speed he’s showing at his size suggests he can develop into an excellent pro. He started to break out late in his 2024 campaign, registering three sacks, 17 total pressures and a 16.7% pass-rush win rate over his final three games against LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State.

Round 2, pick 45: AND Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

Pregnon transferred to Oregon in 2025 after starting the previous two seasons at USC. During three seasons as a college starter, he allowed just one sack and eight quarterback hits in pass protection.

Round 3, pick 80: C Sam Hecht, Kansas State

Despite 796 pass-blocking snaps as a two-year starter at Kansas State, Hecht did not allow a sack and surrendered just one quarterback hit. As a run blocker, he scored positive on more than 15% of his zone scheme runs over the course of his career.

Round 4, pick 115: WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Mississippi

Stribling transferred to Ole Miss from State of Oklahoma and quickly became a productive part of the rebel attack. Of his 811 receiving yards in 2025, 400 came after the catch, and he forced 12 missed tackles on receptions.

Round 5, pick 152: Edge Max Llewellyn, Iowa

Llewellyn starred as a pass-rush specialist for the Hawkeyes, totaling 12 sacks and 80 pressures over his final two seasons at Iowa.