Baltimore Beatdown
The annual premier all-star event featured some impressive performances from prospects at positions that will be addressed this offseason.
The Ravens front office has long believed in drafting and developing their core talent rather than relying on veteran acquisitions. General manager Eric DeCosta has repeatedly said the draft is the “lifeblood” of the organization, and a quick glance at the roster explains why. Outside of Roquan Smith, all of the Ravens’ key long-term players were acquired via the draft.
College football’s annual all-star games are key scouting opportunities for the Ravens. The East-West Shrine Bowl is one of the premier events of the circuit and provide a pool of the top collegiate talent from which the Ravens regularly find future players.
Two of the Ravens’ nine selections in the 2024 NFL Draft attended the East-West Shrine Bowl. They selected quarterback Devin Leary in the sixth round and interior offensive lineman Nick Samac in the seventh round.
Here are some promising prospects who fit the Ravens’ positions of need and could hear their names called by the organization during the 2025 NFL Draft:
DT Jordan Phillips, Maryland
The Ravens have some aging veteran role players not guaranteed to return—Michael Pierce, Brent Urban—and Travis Jones is heading into the final year of his rookie deal. They could look in their own backyard to find immediate depth and a future key contributor in the former Terp. By all accounts, the 6-foot-1, 318-pound nose tackle was one of the most consistently dominant players throughout the week of practice.
Eating up space, occupying multiple blockers and stuffing the run in his bread and butter. However, Phillips is an underrated interior pass rusher who is explosive off the ball and is both powerful and violent with his hands at the point of attack. Even though he didn’t record a single sack during his college career two Power 5 programs, he was able to generate some impressive pressures. He could that aspect of his game unlocked at the next level in Baltimore. He’ll be a name to watch for starting on Day 2 of the draft.
WR Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington
While the Ravens could use a bigger-bodied presence in their receiver room, one of their underrated needs is at punt returner. They had a revolving door in 2024. Chism was a late addition to the Shrine Bowl but made the most of his opportunities by standing out both as a slot receiver and returner. He broke all of Cooper Kupp’s school records in college and is coming off a senior season in which he was the Eagles’ most dangerous weapon.
In 2024, he recorded career-high and team-leading totals of 120 catches, 1,311 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
In last Thursday’s game, Chism showed nice wiggle in open space and made some plays over the middle of the field. He was also aggressive and smart in his decision-making as a punt returner.
WR Nick Nash, San Jose State
The converted quarterback was the FBS triple...
