OTL: Could Ravens Add Tyreek Hill?

When the Baltimore Ravens added free agent WR DeAndre Hopkins, that was a strong signal, in my eyes, that the position isn’t a priority moving forward – the Ravens have their guys. Well, not everybody agrees with that assessment. Austen Bundy of the Sporting News has underlined the Ravens as a potential landing spot for Tyreek Hill. 

It feels like no matter which super star Baltimore adds to its roster, it’s never enough to get over the championship hump. Hill might be the missing piece. Quarterback Lamar Jackson currently has a solid wide receiver room featuring Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and the newly signed DeAndre Hopkins. Bateman hasn’t topped 800 receiving yards in a season yet but could serve as a deal sweetener in any swap with Miami. Hill’s speed, Flowers’ hands and Hopkins’ veteran wisdom would be a deadly trio in Charm City.

While it’s hard to dispute the trade would help the Ravens offensively, I don’t think Hill is a missing piece. I think Hopkins was the missing piece. People are underestimating the production and effect Hopkins will have as a member of this offense. The Ravens offense is about as complete as it can be. The problem facing them offensively is line depth. With Hopkins in the fold you can’t double team everybody. Hopkins, Flowers, Andrews, Bateman, Likely… I see a lot of tough assignments for the defense or a lot of zone coverage schemes. The Ravens also have one of the best running games in the league. The Ravens would be best suited going after a difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball rather than making a blockbuster deal for a $90 million star receiver looking for his third team.

NFL.com’s Chad Rueter is thinking defense for the Ravens in his latest mock draft. He’s got the Ravens taking a safety out of Georgia, Malaki Starks.

Some teams will view Starks as a fair athlete without an NFL position; despite their talent, Brian Branch and Cooper DeJean lasted until the second round for similar reasons. The Ravens won’t let that happen, though, as they see Starks’ playmaking skills — just like when they scooped up Kyle Hamilton at No. 14 overall after his 4.59 40 caused other franchises to pass.

This is a pick that seems to have mock draft momentum. Sometimes that is meaningful. I remember when every mock draft had the Ravens taking Torrey Smith in the first round and they ended up getting him in round two. There was something to that connection – the mock draft trend can be an indicator. This pick also makes sense because the Ravens need to find a young partner in passing game crime to go along with Kyle Hamilton. Hamilton’s range and unique set of abilities means the Ravens have tons of options at safety because he can play either safety role. This looks like a solid pick. It also seems like a good strategy picking Georgia defensive players; look how it paid off for the Philadelphia Eagles.

In a mock draft by A to Z Sports, Ian Valentino has the Ravens still going on the defensive side of things but closer to the line of scrimmage.

27) Baltimore Ravens: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Walter Nolen stood out at the Senior Bowl, showing off some great fluidity and explosiveness as a defensive tackle. While Mason Graham might have the upper hand in run defense and a more reliable game, Baltimore could be the perfect spot for Nolen to shine and develop. The question is whether he has the character to reach his ceiling.

The Ravens probably need to get better up front on the defensive line. I think everybody loves what Nnamdi Madubuike brings to the table, but the Ravens need more from some of the other contributors. They would also get more out of Madubuike with another interior presence. I think this is a good pick because again it models what the Eagles did. Dominating the line of scrimmage with your defensive line literally just won a championship. This move is now in vogue and the Ravens will definitely not walk out of this draft without addressing the defensive line.

That Ravens front 4 is a perfect example of why this team doesn’t win in the playoffs lol https://t.co/70djCvzpEy

— Zi (@zi_was_here) March 23, 2025

Here’s a clip from the 2023 AFC Championship game and a tweet that goes along with this take. There’s no way Patrick Mahomes should have this much time to move around and scramble. This point of needing defensive line help can be drilled in by recent examples. Another good one is Jameis Winston in the Browns’ win over the Ravens last fall.

How didn’t Lamar Jackson win his third MVP? pic.twitter.com/sXq0b3oVTS

— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) March 22, 2025

Nic Mason asks on Twitter how Lamar Jackson didn’t win his third MVP. I think we know the answer to this one. The NFL writers said enough already and gave it to Josh Allen. I don’t get it. You don’t get it. At least Josh Allen is awesome, but yeah we ask this question every time we see Jackson highlights to. Valid.

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