Here’s a paraphrased and punchier version of that article:
The Baltimore Ravens head into the 2025 NFL Draft holding the 27th overall pick—not in desperation mode, but with a looming issue they can’t afford to ignore: their pass rush. While they ranked second in the league with 54 sacks last season, those numbers don’t tell the whole story. That production came from a patchwork group, and the seams are starting to come apart.
Odafe Oweh is entering a contract year, Kyle Van Noy just turned 34, and David Ojabo’s development hasn’t gone according to plan. That’s a trio of uncertainties at one of football’s most critical positions—and little long-term stability behind them. If general manager Eric DeCosta doesn’t act now, the pass rush could collapse in 2026.
That’s why CBS Sports’ latest mock draft from Chris Trapasso might be spot on. He has Baltimore selecting Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku at No. 27. While he’s not the prototypical Ravens pass rusher, the pick could be a forward-thinking masterstroke.
At 6-foot-2, 247 pounds, Ezeiruaku isn’t built like Baltimore’s traditional edge defenders, but his technical refinement is elite. He finished second in the FBS last year with 16.5 sacks and boasts a full arsenal of pass-rushing tools—ghost moves, cross-chops, rips, and more. He’s also disciplined, high-motor, and can hold his own on the edge. He might not overpower elite NFL tackles, but he can outthink and outmaneuver them.
As Trapasso put it:
“A departure from the normal, oversized defensive front player for the Ravens, Baltimore gravitates toward Ezeiruaku because of his polish as a pass rusher.”
With Oweh’s future uncertain, Van Noy nearing the end, and Ojabo still in limbo, Ezeiruaku wouldn’t be a luxury—he’d be a necessity. The Ravens need a fresh cornerstone for their pass rush, and he could be the answer before the question becomes a crisis.
Mock drafts don’t always hit, but if this one does, it’s not just a smart pick—it’s preventive maintenance. Ezeiruaku could be the difference between a 2026 defensive breakdown and keeping the Ravens’ pressure-packed identity alive.
