As the dust settled on the 2025 NFL Draft, the consensus was clear: the Baltimore Ravens had yet again outmaneuvered their competition. Their reputation for value-driven drafting, positional savvy, and finding future stars in unexpected places was reinforced by a class that many graded as among the best in the league. Yet, while general praise flooded in from analysts and fans alike, one loud dissenting voice broke through the harmony, questioning whether the Ravens’ selections really lived up to the hype.
Baltimore entered the draft needing reinforcements on the offensive line, depth at cornerback, and youth at wide receiver. They exited it having addressed all three. First-round pick Amarius Mims, the massive offensive tackle from Georgia, headlines the class. At 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds, Mims is a physical marvel with the potential to become a franchise cornerstone. In the second round, the Ravens grabbed T.J. Tampa, a rangy and aggressive cornerback from Iowa State. From there, Eric DeCosta and company filled out the class with productive and versatile prospects like Illinois wideout Isaiah Williams and linebacker Cedric Gray from North Carolina.
Most draft experts—Mel Kiper Jr., Dane Brugler, and Daniel Jeremiah among them—gave the Ravens grades ranging from A to B+. The organization’s ability to blend long-term upside with short-term utility was a recurring theme in their analysis. But not everyone bought the narrative.
Former NFL executive and current media personality Michael Lombardi publicly bashed the Ravens’ selections on his podcast, calling their draft “overrated” and even “reckless” in spots.
“Everyone falls in love with Baltimore’s reputation, but nobody actually looks at the risks they’re taking,” Lombardi said. “Mims is unproven, Tampa is inconsistent, and the rest of their class looks like a bunch of rotational guys at best. I just don’t see it.”
Lombardi’s remarks sparked immediate backlash from fans and some fellow analysts. To suggest that Baltimore’s front office, widely regarded as one of the best in football, had miscalculated in the draft was considered heresy in some corners. But his skepticism does raise a legitimate question: Are we too quick to praise the Ravens’ draft strategy without scrutinizing it in full?
The Ravens took a calculated gamble on Mims, who boasts elite size and rare athleticism but started just eight games in college. Injuries and a stacked Georgia depth chart limited his opportunities, but when he did play, the tape was impressive. Baltimore hopes offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris can unlock his full potential.
Critics like Lombardi, however, focus on the lack of experience.
“He’s a projection. That’s fine in the top 10. But when you’re a contender like Baltimore, you need plug-and-play guys. I don’t think Mims is that,” he argued.
Still, the Ravens didn’t need Mims to start immediately. With stalwart Ronnie Stanley returning and veteran Morgan Moses providing short-term cover, Mims can be eased into the rotation.
A lengthy, instinctive corner, Tampa fits the mold Baltimore has long coveted. He excels in zone coverage and brings physicality in run support. With Marlon Humphrey still recovering from injuries and the departure of Ronald Darby, corner was a priority.
Pundits like NFL Network’s Charles Davis praised the pick: “Tampa was one of the most underrated players in this draft. He’s got starter traits all over him.”
Lombardi, however, wasn’t sold, citing lapses in consistency and questionable footwork in man coverage. But Baltimore has rarely shied away from moldable defensive backs—see Kyle Hamilton and Brandon Stephens—as they trust their coaching staff to develop them.
Williams is a former quarterback turned receiver who brings quickness, elite short-area burst, and special teams versatility. While not a traditional “X” receiver, he fills a clear niche in Baltimore’s offense—providing yards-after-catch ability and depth behind Zay Flowers.
This pick drew praise from insiders like Jordan Reid of ESPN: “Isaiah Williams is a sneaky Day 3 steal. He can be this year’s version of Tank Dell—a jitterbug slot guy who produces early.”
For Lombardi, though, it was another reach.
“He’s a gadget player. Maybe he returns punts. Maybe he gets some end-arounds. But he’s not someone you count on in critical downs.”
A classic Ravens value pick, Gray was one of the most productive linebackers in the ACC over the last two seasons. He’s fast, instinctive, and projects as an early special teams contributor who could eventually rotate in on defense.
Gray was widely mocked as a third-rounder, making his slide to the fifth round a potential steal. Analysts like PFF’s Trevor Sikkema noted that “Gray has real starting potential down the line if he develops his coverage discipline.”
Lombardi’s issue? Fit. He believes Gray lacks the physicality Baltimore typically demands at the position.
Much of the praise for the Ravens’ draft isn’t based solely on the names selected, but on Baltimore’s history of turning mid-round picks into productive pros. From Matthew Judon to Chuck Clark to Orlando Brown Jr., the Ravens have consistently found value where other teams haven’t.
Moreover, DeCosta’s tenure as GM has already produced hits like Tyler Linderbaum, Kyle Hamilton, and Odafe Oweh—players some viewed as boom-or-bust on draft day but have become key pieces.
This history leads to what some might call “Ravens bias”—the assumption that if Baltimore picks someone, that player must be good.
Lombardi sees that as a flaw in the way national media covers the team:
“It’s like there’s this built-in grading curve for Baltimore. They could draft a long snapper in the second round and people would say, ‘Oh, genius move!’ Let’s judge the picks on merit, not resume.”
It’s fair to point out that Mims, Tampa, and Williams all come with question marks. But all draft picks do. What separates successful teams from perennial strugglers is not avoiding risk, but identifying upside and minimizing failure. The Ravens’ consistent playoff presence and player development pipeline suggest they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt.
Still, Lombardi’s contrarian stance has value—it serves as a reminder that praise shouldn’t become dogma. The Ravens have made missteps before (remember Breshad Perriman?), and the draft is never an exact science.
If Mims doesn’t develop or Tampa gets torched in year one, the shine on this class could fade quickly. But if even two of these players pan out as starters—especially Mims on the offensive line—it could be the foundation of another deep playoff run.
The Baltimore Ravens’ 2025 draft class reflects the franchise’s confidence in its infrastructure. They took athletic swings with clear upside and trusted their developmental staff to do the rest. That’s the formula that built contenders in the past, and it may well work again.
But the presence of doubt—especially from respected insiders like Lombardi—adds a wrinkle of intrigue. Are we watching another shrewd Ravens haul blossom before our eyes? Or are we looking at a class that could be exposed by unmet potential?
Time will tell. For now, the Ravens’ front office can tune out the noise, secure in the belief that they know better than most how to build a football team.
