Late for Work: Ravens Claim Top Spot in AFC Post-Draft Power Rankings

The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and if there’s one team that walked away as the talk of the AFC, it’s the Baltimore Ravens. Already a perennial playoff contender, the Ravens have managed to reinforce their roster with smart, forward-looking draft picks and strategic veteran signings that have vaulted them to the top of numerous post-draft power rankings. From ESPN to NFL.com, the consensus is clear: Baltimore is the team to beat in the AFC going into the 2025 season.

This rise isn’t a fluke. It’s the result of a meticulously orchestrated offseason, where General Manager Eric DeCosta and Head Coach John Harbaugh doubled down on their core identity while modernizing the team’s approach on both sides of the ball. The Ravens’ front office identified key weaknesses, filled critical gaps, and ensured that the team is deeper, faster, and more versatile than it has been in years.

Draft-Day Excellence: Building for Today and Tomorrow

The cornerstone of Baltimore’s rise was a wildly successful draft. The Ravens didn’t just draft based on need—they drafted with vision. First-round pick Trenton Simpson, a hybrid linebacker out of Clemson, brings explosive speed and versatility to a defense already known for its aggression and adaptability. While some teams zig, the Ravens zag—adding a linebacker when others chase corners or wideouts.

Simpson is expected to line up all over the field, giving Baltimore an ideal complement to All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith. His presence will allow Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr to experiment more with disguised pressures and creative packages. Early reports from rookie minicamp suggest the Ravens plan to use Simpson in coverage, off the edge, and even as a spy against mobile quarterbacks.

In later rounds, Baltimore added Andrew Vorhees, a talented offensive guard from USC. Vorhees missed the 2024 season with a knee injury but had he been healthy, many experts believed he was a first- or second-round talent. By investing in Vorhees, the Ravens are thinking long-term, anticipating eventual turnover on the offensive line and ensuring continuity in front of quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Baltimore also snagged a pair of promising late-round picks at wide receiver and safety, boosting competition in two key depth areas.

Veteran Star Power Returns, Stronger Than Ever

One of the biggest boosts to Baltimore’s post-draft outlook isn’t just who they drafted, but who’s returning. Ronnie Stanley, the team’s cornerstone left tackle, is back to full health after an injury-plagued stretch. His presence is vital to maintaining a clean pocket for Lamar Jackson and anchoring a run game that thrives on outside zone and power concepts.

Also returning are Tyler Linderbaum and Mark Andrews, both of whom missed time last season. Andrews remains one of the league’s top tight ends, and his chemistry with Jackson continues to be a critical part of the Ravens’ offense. With everyone healthy, Baltimore can run its full offensive playbook with a level of cohesion that was absent for much of last season.

Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry: A New-Look Backfield

Perhaps no offseason move had a more immediate impact on perception than the Ravens’ acquisition of running back Derrick Henry. The former Titans star, who surpassed 10,000 career rushing yards in 2024, is still playing at a high level. Pairing him with Lamar Jackson creates what might be the most terrifying backfield in football.

Defenses now face a nightmare scenario: overcommit to stopping Henry up the middle, and Jackson can pull the ball and take off around the edge. Spy Jackson too aggressively, and Henry will bulldoze through soft boxes. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken is expected to unleash a variety of RPOs, zone reads, and misdirection plays that will test even the most disciplined defenses.

While both players have unique running styles—Henry’s power and Jackson’s elusiveness—their combined presence could redefine Baltimore’s offensive identity. The Ravens aren’t just running the ball to control the clock; they’re doing it to create chunk plays and break open defenses.

Receiving Corps Takes the Next Step

One of the lingering questions from the 2024 season was whether Baltimore had enough firepower at wide receiver. That question appears to have been answered emphatically.

Zay Flowers, coming off a breakout rookie season, has emerged as Lamar Jackson’s go-to target. In 2024, Flowers set franchise rookie records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. His route-running precision and ability to separate make him dangerous at all three levels of the field.

Joining him is veteran DeAndre Hopkins, signed in free agency to provide experience and red-zone presence. While no longer in his prime, Hopkins remains one of the most reliable possession receivers in the league. Together with Andrews and Flowers, he gives Baltimore a balanced and unpredictable passing attack.

Depth has also improved. Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, and draft pick Terrance Bush (Round 6, Oklahoma) will round out a receiving group that suddenly looks like one of the deepest in the AFC.

Defense: The Backbone of Baltimore

Baltimore’s identity has always been rooted in defense, and 2025 will be no different. Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton return to lead a secondary that excels in man coverage and turnover creation. Humphrey earned All-Pro honors last season, tallying six interceptions and consistently shadowing top receivers. Hamilton, a second-year safety, emerged as one of the most versatile defenders in the NFL with his ability to play in the box, over the top, and even in the slot.

Up front, Justin Madubuike and Odafe Oweh are coming off career years. Madubuike led all AFC interior linemen in sacks, while Oweh’s edge pressure rate ranked top-10 league-wide. The addition of Trenton Simpson, coupled with Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen, gives Baltimore arguably the best linebacker unit in the conference.

Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr has hinted at incorporating more positionless football concepts—letting players like Hamilton and Simpson move freely and disguise coverage shells until the snap. If successful, it could push the Ravens’ defense into elite territory.

Coaching Stability and Culture Matter

Another reason the Ravens are surging in power rankings is their organizational stability. John Harbaugh remains one of the NFL’s longest-tenured and most respected head coaches. His ability to adapt to modern trends—whether it’s analytics-driven decision-making or evolving offensive schemes—has kept Baltimore competitive through multiple roster eras.

Meanwhile, the team’s front office continues to win praise for its balance of short-term aggressiveness and long-term thinking. Eric DeCosta’s ability to manage the cap, draft capital, and free agency priorities has made the Ravens a model franchise.

The team culture is built on accountability, toughness, and versatility. That culture was evident last season when Baltimore weathered multiple injuries but still finished with 12 wins. Now, with improved depth and a full offseason of cohesion, expectations are sky-high.

A Crowded AFC — But the Ravens Stand Tall

It’s important to recognize that the AFC remains loaded. The Chiefs, Bills, Bengals, and Texans all have elite quarterbacks and strong supporting casts. But what separates the Ravens right now is balance. They have an MVP-caliber quarterback, a top-10 defense, a dominant run game, and an increasingly explosive passing attack.

The schedule will test them. Matchups against Cincinnati, Kansas City, and Miami will provide early indicators of just how elite this team can be. But unlike years past, Baltimore no longer enters those games as underdogs. They’re the hunted, not the hunters.

The Ravens have positioned themselves as the AFC’s standard-bearer heading into the 2025 season. With smart draft choices, a potent combination of star power and youth, and one of the league’s most stable infrastructures, Baltimore has all the ingredients for a deep playoff run—perhaps even a Super Bowl appearance.

Whether they can maintain that top-tier status will depend on health, consistency, and continued development from key young players. But for now, there’s no denying it: the Ravens sit atop the AFC throne, and they’re not looking to give it up anytime soon.