2025 NFL Mock Draft: Baltimore Ravens add edge rusher
Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
The Team
The Baltimore Ravens feel stuck in a sort of high-end purgatory. In the AFC’s race to dethrone the Chiefs, Baltimore has always felt like they’ve played second or third fiddle to teams like Buffalo and Cincinnati, even when their regular seasons and rosters are far superior.
When the rubber meets the road, it seems like Baltimore’s playoff losses typically come down to miscues on offense. The dichotomy between Lamar Jackson in the regular season and the much maligned “Playoff Lamar” has been talked about at length, and even if the reality is more complicated, there is no question the Ravens’ offense has failed to meet the moment in 2019, 2020, 2023, and this past season.
Despite this, most of the Ravens’ draft needs are more on the defensive side, where they have lost several starters the last few years, and have several players on expiring contracts this year. I could realistically see the Ravens drafting several positions.
When I signed up to pick for Baltimore, I had my heart set on one guy – South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori. He and Kyle Hamilton patrolling the back end would put fear into the hearts of even the most elite AFC quarterback. Unfortunately, my dreams of potentially the best safety duo in the league in this mock were shattered when the Rams scooped him up a pick ahead of me. Such is life in the NFL.
The Ravens could also go interior offensive line (gotta protect the face of the franchise), or cornerback (they need a replacement for Brandon Stephens – Chidobe Awuzie is the best option on the roster right now). However, I’ve elected to go in the trenches – on the defensive side of the ball.
Now, this may seem counterintuitive, as the Ravens finished second in sacks last year. But here’s a list of Ravens d-linemen set to hit free agency in 2026 who had at least 1 sack for them in 2024: Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, Michael Pierce, and Travis Jones. Put simply, that’s 27.5 of their 53 sacks – more than half, including their top 2 guys (Van Noy, Oweh) – currently set to leave the team after this season. And with another Lamar Jackson extension potentially coming in the next year or two, the Ravens may need to use some draft capital to reload some lost production. Lucky for them, one of my favorite prospects in this class is available, and the Ravens are going to love him.
The Player
Landon Jackson, Edge Rusher, Arkansas
Jackson was born in January 2003 (will be 22 as a rookie) and grew up in Texarkana, Texas. was a four-star recruit coming out of Pleasant Grove High School. He began his career at LSU in 2021 before transferring to the Razorbacks, where he started from 2022-2024. He’s a big dude, and a freak athlete for his size:
6’6”, 264 lbs
83 ⅝” wingspan (92nd percentile)
40 yard dash: 4.68 (75th percentile)
40 ½” vertical jump (97th percentile)
129” broad jump (96th percentile)
PROS
As mentioned, he certainly looks the part of an NFL edge rusher. He’s big, strong, and athletic. Had a great Senior Bowl and one of the best Combine workouts of any player. Landon Jackson’s 2025 NFL Scouting Combine workout
Versatile – mostly played RE, but can play LE, kick inside, or even drop into coverage at times.
Good against both the run and the pass, with no blatant deficiencies in his game – quick closing speed.
Has a mean chop move.
Intelligent and instinctual against the run.
Possibly a “big game” player – had a monster performance against Alabama in 2023 (3.5 sacks). Film Room: Landon Jackson Vs Alabama 2023: All Pass Rushes
According to fellow players, a high character guy with an excellent work ethic who plays hard and fast.
His best football is likely ahead of him as he continues to play more and round out his frame. Improved every year of college. A “high floor, high ceiling” type of pick, in my opinion.
Highlight Reel: Landon Jackson Full College Football Highlights | Arkansas EDGE | NFL Draft Film
CONS
Body control can be a problem – he’s still sort of growing into his frame, as he started his career at 220 lbs and has since gained over 40 lbs.
While a good athlete, he’s not an explosive one. Probably won’t “wow” you on an NFL field in that respect.
Underwhelming production – had 16 sacks in 4 years (though 6.5 each of his final 2 years).
OVERALL
Jackson is clearly not a finished product. He is going to need to work on his consistency and his body control, but he is good enough to contribute immediately as a rookie while growing into a potential double-digit sack starter. The Ravens don’t necessarily need a guy who can contribute Year 1, but rather a rotational rusher for now who can grow into a starter in Year 2 or 3. Jackson, in my view, has the best future projection of any of the pass rushers currently on the board. As the draft is all about preparing for the future, this would be a solid pick for Baltimore (or any team at the end of Round 1).
I’m probably putting Jackson a little higher than consensus (most of the top analysts/consensus boards have Jackson as a top 40-50 prospect), but I think he’s worth this shot at the end of Round 1 and is a great fit for both the player and team.
Poll
Do you approve of this pick?
47%
52%
108 votes total
Vote Now
2025 BGN Mock Draft Order
1) Titans (JoeDirtsBarber): Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
2) Browns (kjb304): Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
3) Giants (The Player Formerly Known as Mousecop): Cam Ward, QB, Miami
4) Patriots (ReginaldHtower): Will Campbell, OT, LSU
5) Jaguars (eaglenomics): Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
6) Raiders (dkays): Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
7) Jets (Stick19154): Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
8) Panthers (89Tremaine): Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
9) Saints (FierceDisc65): Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
10) Bears (DrprofBubbles): Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
11) 49ers (granthill7): Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
12) Cowboys (Be subpar for Ja’Marr): Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
13) Dolphins (thehead92): Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
14) Colts (green1us): Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
15) Falcons (All_Hail_Howie): James Peace Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
16) Cardinals (Good Bad Ideas): Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
17) Bengals (ablesser88): Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
18) Seahawks (herbalonius): Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
19) Buccaneers (Hoosinole): Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
20) Broncos (Silverlark60): Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
21) Steelers (Dr.MidnightGreen): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
22) Chargers (LancGuy): Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
23) Packers (Leo Bedio): Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
24) Vikings (krikkebelgium): Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
25) Texans (Aint1stULast): Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
26) Rams (Booth12): Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
27) Ravens (pheebthegoose): Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
28) Lions (Neil Dutton)
29) Commanders (Mailata_in_a_Miata)
30) Bills (PhilaWolverine)
31) Chiefs (niels.rosenquist)
32) Eagles (Philly21)
Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think should be selected in the 2025 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.
Poll
Who should the Ravens pick at No. 27?
4%
OT Josh Conerly Jr.
(4 votes)
25%
S Nick Emmanwori
(22 votes)
5%
EDGE Landon Jackson
(5 votes)
18%
EDGE Mike Green
(16 votes)
11%
DT Derrick Harmon
(10 votes)
3%
OG Tyler Booker
(3 votes)
1%
OG Donovan Jackson
(1 vote)
0%
OL Jonah Savaiinaea
(0 votes)
5%
DT Walter Nolen
(5 votes)
2%
EDGE Nic Scourton
(2 votes)
9%
EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
(8 votes)
1%
1%
CB Azareye’h Thomas
(1 vote)
2%
CB Shavon Revel
(2 votes)
2%
CB Benjamin Morrison
(2 votes)
5%
WR Matthew Golden
(5 votes)
0%
WR Luther Burden
(0 votes)
87 votes total
Vote Now
1) Titans: QB Cam Ward
2) Browns: EDGE Abdul Carter
3) Giants: WR/CB Travis Hunter
4) Patriots: OT Will Campbell
5) Jaguars: DT Mason Graham
6) Raiders: RB Ashton Jeanty
7) Jets: OT Armand Membou
8) Panthers: CB Will Johnson
9) Saints: EDGE Jalon Walker
10) Bears: TE Tyler Warren
11) 49ers: OT Kelvin Banks Jr.
12) Cowboys: WR Tetairoa McMillan
13) Dolphins: OT Josh Simmons
14) Colts: TE Colston Loveland
15) Falcons: EDGE Mykel Williams
16) Cardinals: EDGE James Pearce Jr.
17) Bengals: EDGE Shemar Stewart
18) Seahawks: QB Shedeur Sanders
19) Buccaneers: LB Jihaad Campbell
20) Broncos: RB Omarion Hampton
21) Steelers: QB Jaxson Dart
22) Chargers: DT Kenneth Grant
23) Packers: CB Jahdae Barron
24) Vikings: S Malaki Starks
25) Texans: OL Grey Zabel
26) Rams: WR Emeka Egbuka
27) Ravens:
