OTL: Ravens’ ’25 Road Schedule is a Beast

In a very slow news week for the Ravens (not a bad thing…) as we trek on through the offseason, there isn’t much to talk about so today is mostly about the Mock Draft.

However we do have one newsworthy point: the schedule:

All eyes ahead pic.twitter.com/Qtb5Z78m0t

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 13, 2025

Man…that road schedule is absolutely brutal. Traveling to Arrowhead, Buffalo, Green Bay, and Minnesota is a brutal group of games. Also, anyone find it weird how the NFL always makes the Ravens go to Arrowhead yet they haven’t been to Baltimore in the regular season since 2021? No? Just me? Ok.

Anyway, the 2025 Ravens will be battle tested, no doubt about that.

For this Mock Draft Friday, we will consider upside and potential as the main factors in deciding on our picks.

Jalon Walker is going to take some explaining. While the card says Edge, he didn’t play Edge in the literal sense. He played more linebacker while at Georgia, yet he still managed to lead the team in Sacks in 2023. So, why does every analyst say he is moving to Edge? Well, he just profiles better there in the NFL.

This is why I like Jalon Walker at EDGE more at linebacker. He seems more natural rushing off the edge. Explosive, violent, and effective pressure maker w/ good edge setting ability.

One of my favorite reps. Flash the inside hand and dip under to get to the QB. pic.twitter.com/sSYnkulhtF

— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) February 11, 2025

I myself wasn’t too sure about Walker, but after watching his tape, I completely understand those who see a position change coming. He might not be as productive as, say, Mike Green or James Pearce at first, but I could honestly see him being better than those guys in two years. This is the type of player the Ravens need, and he brings a fear factor to the defense that they don’t have right now. I did have to trade up for him, but it only cost a fourth-round pick, and he is worth it.

Ersery is another player I had to trade up for, giving up a future fourth, but again, I think it’s worth the cost. With 11 picks, EDC should be aggressive in moving up the board for who he wants. Ersery is a brick wall in the run game and can be hard to move. The problem that forces him down is that he isn’t the best pass protector, but he did show improvements and had a highlight-reel block on Mike Green at the Senior Bowl.

Minnesota Golden Gophers OL Aireontae Ersery stonewalls Mike Green in this 1-on-1 rep #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/tharxixztv

— Thomas Christopher (@ThomasCP_NFL) January 28, 2025

He has work to do, but he was too good to pass up in the second, and if they do bring Ronnie Stanley back, he will be a good option at guard as well.

If you are looking for just pure pass protection at guard, Ratledge is the best get after the first round. He looks like many other Georgia offensive linemen and plays football with an infectious tenacity. Tory Horton is a big separator type with good ball-tracking skills that pairs well with the other receivers on the roster. Mello Dotson is the type of corner you take in the later rounds, a twitched-up athlete with great ball skills and zone coverage IQ who can play on the outside. Mills had some of the highest pressure rates from DT before he got hurt this year. Moore is a seasoned vet on the Alabama defense who is smart and can tackle. C.J. West is an awesome run defender and is a great fit for this late in the draft. Monagangai is small but gets the most out of his talent. Hawes is a good fit at tight end as the last pick in this Mock.

I hope the Ravens approach this draft looking to take athletes over those with big college production because it can lead to success down the line.

The post OTL: Ravens’ ’25 Road Schedule is a Beast appeared first on Russell Street Report.