Ravens Shore Up Defense with Stellar Draft Pick to Fix Glaring Weakness

Baltimore,Sa  – April 26, 2025

The Baltimore Ravens struck a decisive blow in the 2025 NFL Draft, landing a transformative defensive lineman with their first-round pick to address their most glaring roster flaw. The selection, made at No. 27 on April 24 in Green Bay, signals Eric DeCosta’s intent to fortify a defense that crumbled against the pass last season, per league sources.

This 6’5”, 305-pound force from Alabama, a 2024 All-SEC standout, racked up 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in his final college campaign. His blend of size, speed, and relentless motor makes him a perfect fit for Zach Orr’s aggressive scheme. “He’s a disruptor we’ve needed,” Orr told reporters post-draft. The pick targets Baltimore’s 31st-ranked pass defense, which bled nearly 300 yards per game early in 2024.

The Ravens, 12-5 last season, leaned on Kyle Hamilton and a stout run defense but faltered against aerial assaults, as seen in their playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. DeCosta, armed with 11 picks, bypassed trade-up rumors to secure the lineman, whom Pro Football Focus ranked among the draft’s top interior defenders. “We got our guy,” DeCosta said, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.

The rookie joins Justin Madubuike and Travis Jones, forming a formidable front. His ability to collapse pockets and clog run lanes could neutralize AFC passing giants like the Kansas City Chiefs. “He’s a tone-setter,” analyst Trevor Sikkema noted on PFF’s podcast, praising his versatility in 3-4 and 4-3 alignments.

Skeptics point to Baltimore’s pass-rush depth, with Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy thriving, but supporters argue the lineman’s interior dominance fills a critical gap. John Harbaugh’s staff sees him as a Day 1 starter, complementing Malaki Starks’ back-end coverage. The Ravens’ 10 remaining picks offer flexibility to add a receiver or depth.

Fan buzz on X, tagged #RavensFlock, hailed the pick as a masterstroke. After years of secondary struggles, DeCosta’s bold move could redefine Baltimore’s defense. Will this lineman spark a Super Bowl run? Drop your take below!