Dark horse candidates for the Ravens’ first-round pick

Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball while Southern California Trojans safety Bishop Fitzgerald (19) in the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images With the Baltimore Ravens regaining their first round pick in the aftermath of the Maxx Crosby debacle, there have been a few players frequently linked to them for the 14th pick in April’s draft. Guard Olaivavega Ioane from Penn State has been a popular name given the Ravens’ recent issues along the offensive line.

Additionally, receivers like Makai Lemon, Jordan Tyson, and Carnell Tate have all been linked to Baltimore, and Eric DeCosta has not been shy about targeting the position in the first round. While most of the mock drafts have the Ravens taking players that address immediate needs for the team, we all know this is not how the team has traditionally operated. They espouse a ‘best player available’ philosophy, though, taking players like Kyle Hamilton, Trenton Simpson, and Nate Wiggins, though they did not fill the team’s most pressing needs at the time.

However, as their names started falling down the board, the Ravens couldn’t pass them up. In this year’s draft, the top end players aren’t quite as defined as in previous years. Most of the high level prospects still have flaws which could lead to some really good players who don’t play “premium positions” falling to the Ravens.

Let’s look at some of the names that could fall to Baltimore and test their BPA mindset. Jeremiah Love The Ravens already have an established superstar running back in Derrick Henry. However, Henry will be 33 in January, and although the ageless wonder has defied every law of running back nature, he will eventually start to decline.