Four Positions the Ravens Could Double Up At in the NFL Draft: Analyzing Potential Strategy for 2025

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Baltimore Ravens find themselves in a position to continue building a team that has evolved into one of the more competitive and balanced squads in the league. With a defense that is consistently among the league’s best, a potent rushing attack anchored by quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back J.K. Dobbins, and a revamped receiving corps, the Ravens are looking to solidify their roster further with key additions through the draft.

One strategy that could prove highly effective for the Ravens this year is to double up at certain positions—drafting two players to address the same area of need. This approach would allow the Ravens to improve both the immediate and long-term depth of their roster while providing a chance to find immediate contributors and potential long-term stars. In this article, we will examine four key positions where the Ravens might consider doubling up during the 2025 NFL Draft.

Wide Receiver

One of the most obvious positions that the Ravens could double up at is wide receiver. Despite making moves in recent years, such as adding Odell Beckham Jr. and drafting Zay Flowers in the first round, Baltimore has yet to fully establish a dominant group of wideouts. As a team built around the dynamic talent of Lamar Jackson, it is crucial to ensure that he has a reliable set of weapons to work with in the passing game.

Why Double Up at Wide Receiver?

While Beckham and Flowers are promising pieces, neither has fully proven to be a consistent, game-changing force over the course of a full season. Beckham, while still a potential playmaker, has struggled with injuries and hasn’t played a full season since 2021. Flowers, though talented, is still a rookie and will need time to develop into a true No. 1 option.

Moreover, while the Ravens have seen flashes of success from Rashod Bateman, injuries have limited his availability and impact. Adding depth at the wide receiver position could provide Lamar Jackson with more reliable options and give the team multiple avenues for developing chemistry with their franchise quarterback. If the Ravens were to double up on wide receivers, they could take advantage of a deep draft class and potentially find both a starter and a high-upside developmental player.

What Would Double Up Look Like?

In the first or second rounds, the Ravens could look to add a big-bodied receiver who could provide a physical presence on the outside, complementing Zay Flowers and Bateman. A player like Jordan Addison or Jaxon Smith-Njigba could be an excellent fit as a polished route-runner who can contribute early on. The Ravens might also consider drafting a receiver in the later rounds who offers more speed or upside, such as Josh Downs or Tucker Kraft, who could provide depth and special teams potential while developing as a reliable target down the line.

Doubling up at wide receiver would allow the Ravens to have a stable of weapons in both the short and long term, ensuring that they are not caught in the position’s ongoing uncertainty.

Edge Rusher

Another area where the Ravens could double up in the draft is at edge rusher. While the team boasts one of the NFL’s top defenses, it has often struggled to consistently generate pressure on the quarterback, especially when it matters most in high-stakes games. In a league dominated by elite quarterbacks, the ability to disrupt the passer is crucial. Despite having edge rushers like Odafe Oweh and Tyus Bowser, the Ravens need to find a way to supplement their pass rush to become a more complete defensive unit.

Why Double Up at Edge Rusher?

The Ravens’ defense has been successful due to their stout run defense and strong secondary, but they are in need of an edge rusher who can be relied upon to apply consistent pressure to opposing quarterbacks. While Oweh has shown flashes of potential, he has yet to put it all together in terms of producing sacks and disrupting plays at a high level. Bowser, while reliable, is not considered a top-tier pass rusher, and the team lacks an elite edge player who can change the game with their ability to pressure the quarterback.

By doubling up on edge rushers in the draft, the Ravens could address both their short-term and long-term needs. This strategy could also provide depth in case of injuries, which are common at the edge rusher position. The Ravens could target a combination of a high-upside edge rusher early in the draft and a more developmental player in the later rounds, ensuring they have a rotation of fresh legs and varying skill sets to attack opposing quarterbacks.

What Would Double Up Look Like?

In the first or second round, the Ravens could target a top edge rusher, such as Will Anderson Jr., Tyree Wilson, or Nolan Smith. Each of these players offers unique traits: Anderson is known for his exceptional pass-rushing ability, Wilson for his size and power, and Smith for his explosive speed. All of them could complement Oweh and Bowser, while elevating the team’s ability to disrupt the passer.

Later in the draft, the Ravens might consider a high-upside edge rusher such as Isaiah Foskey or Felix Anudike-Uzomah. These players might not have the instant impact of a top-tier pick, but they offer high upside and could be groomed to contribute in passing-down situations, allowing the Ravens to rotate fresh bodies and maximize their edge rusher depth.

By doubling up on edge rushers, the Ravens could create a competitive, deep unit capable of competing with the best quarterbacks in the NFL, ultimately improving their chances of success in both the regular season and postseason.

Offensive Tackle

While the Ravens have been known for their dominant run game, a key factor in sustaining that success is the strength and health of their offensive line. Ronnie Stanley, when healthy, is one of the league’s top left tackles, but injuries have kept him from playing a full season in several years. On the right side, Morgan Moses has been a solid addition, but he’s getting up in age, and the Ravens may need to start planning for his replacement in the near future.

Why Double Up at Offensive Tackle?

In an offense centered around Lamar Jackson’s unique skill set, protecting the quarterback and establishing a dominant run game are paramount. The Ravens will need to build long-term depth at the offensive tackle position, particularly with Stanley’s injury history and Moses’ aging contract.

By doubling up at offensive tackle, the Ravens can hedge against injuries, build depth, and potentially find a long-term solution at right tackle. The 2025 draft class is deep with talented offensive line prospects, meaning the Ravens could land a potential starter in the middle rounds, even if they opt for a more high-profile tackle early in the draft.

What Would Double Up Look Like?

In the first or second round, the Ravens could target a left tackle or right tackle prospect who can immediately compete for a starting spot. Paris Johnson Jr. and Broderick Jones are two highly regarded offensive tackles who could step in and provide immediate protection for Jackson. The Ravens could also target a right tackle prospect like Darnell Wright or Anton Harrison who could eventually replace Moses and provide a powerful anchor for the right side of the line.

Later in the draft, the Ravens could focus on adding a developmental offensive tackle, like Tyler Steen or Matthew Bergeron, who could eventually develop into a starter or swing tackle. Adding depth at the position would give the Ravens the flexibility to adjust their offensive line, depending on injuries and performance, while ensuring that Jackson stays protected.

Cornerback

The cornerback position is another area where the Ravens could double up during the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite having standout players like Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, the Ravens’ secondary has shown vulnerabilities, especially in high-pressure situations. With Peters entering the twilight of his career and Humphrey’s injury history, the Ravens need to bolster their depth at cornerback to maintain the strength of their defense.

Why Double Up at Cornerback?

While the Ravens are set with Humphrey and Peters as their starting cornerbacks, neither player is getting younger. Peters has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, and while Humphrey is still one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, having a reliable backup or eventual successor is crucial for maintaining a dominant secondary.

In the pass-heavy NFL, cornerbacks are one of the most important position groups, and the Ravens need to ensure they have capable depth to match up with the elite wide receivers in the AFC. Doubling up on cornerbacks could allow the team to draft an immediate contributor as well as a developmental project, ensuring that the team stays strong at cornerback both now and in the future.

What Would Double Up Look Like?

In the early rounds, the Ravens could target a highly talented cornerback who can step in and contribute immediately. Players like Kelee Ringo or Joey Porter Jr. could immediately provide depth and compete for playing time. The Ravens may also consider selecting a cornerback in the middle rounds, such as Cam Smith or Clark Phillips III, who have the potential to develop into future starters or play key roles in the defensive backfield.

By doubling up at cornerback, the Ravens can continue to build one of the most well-rounded and deep secondaries in the league, ensuring they can effectively cover elite wide receivers in the AFC and have quality backups ready to step in as needed.