Lamar Jackson is hurt; what's next?
Top prospects for Ravens fans to watch after Lamar Jackson's injury originally appeared on The Sporting News
When it rains, it pours in Baltimore. Despite the star power, the demigod under center, and the preseason expectations of playing in Super Bowl 60, the Baltimore Ravens are 1-3 entering October, with little reason for optimism.
An expensive defense ranks 29th in EPA/play and 27th in success rate. Running back Derrick Henry has as many fumbles (three) as rushing touchdowns.
And now, Lamar Jackson is hurt, thrusting Baltimore into uncertainty. The Baltimore Sun reported that a hamstring could force Jackson out of the next 2-3 weeks. With the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams looming before the bye week, the Ravens could quickly find themselves in a tailspin, at the very least with their backs against the wall.
If things go badly, Baltimore could find itself with a top-15 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That's a waste of Jackson's prime and a dent in the championship window, but it's also a chance to add a young, controllable star. Let's take a look at who the Ravens could draft if things go south in 2025.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Few teams have aggressively added as many receivers as Baltimore during the Lamar Jackson era. Hollywood Brown didn't work out, and Rashod Bateman has taken a long, winding road to competence. Zay Flowers has made good on his first-round capital, but he isn't a consistent man-beater.
Enter Jordyn Tyson.
Tyson is the consensus top receiver in this class, and for good reason. He's an excellent natural separator who takes advantage of blind spots and sports good technique. His body control stands out, he has inside-outside versatility, and he can make plays after the catch.
Despite the talent on this offense, the passing game can feel stale when the Ravens have to rely on it to win. A go-to receiver who can shift opposing game plans can have downstream consequences for the entire unit.
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Ohio State might have the most talented defense in the country, and its play at the second level has been nothing less than dominant in 2025. Sonny Styles entered the season with more hype, but Arvell Reese has been even better in the early going.
Baltimore doesn't desperately need linebacking help, and its knack for developing linebackers might dissuade the front office from such an early investment. However, Roquan Smith is past his peak, and Kyle Van Noy is in a contract year. Reese is an elite athlete who is stout against the run and disciplined in pursuit of quarterbacks. He's also versatile enough to take snaps at edge rusher and look competent as a pass rusher.
It's hard to say what Reese's role will be at the next level, but he looks like a difference-maker, and the Ravens need an infusion of talent in the front seven.
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Woods entered the season atop many draft boards, and while that arrow might slightly tilt down as the defense crumbles around him, he's a lock to be the first defensive tackle off the board.
Even if things get bad in Baltimore, it's hard to imagine Woods being on the board when the Ravens are on the clock. However, there's a world in which quarterbacks and edge rushers push him out of the top 10. If so, Baltimore would be inclined to sprint to the podium.
MORE: Lamar Jackson injury update: Baltimore Ravens superstar could miss multiple weeks
Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike's neck has become a surprising question mark for the defense's long-term outlook, and the rest of the play up front hasn't been encouraging. This unit lacks punch against the run, and Woods is the class's best down-to-down run defender. His blend of strength, burst, and violent hand usage makes him an immediate starter, and he has the tools to elicit serious upside as a pass rusher.
Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
Mauigoa is one of the handful of elite tackle prospects headlining the 2026 class, and that creates a pick-your-flavor proposition that could push him down the board. The Ravens' offensive tackle situation is solid, and that blends nicely with Mauigoa's profile.
There is reasonable speculation that Mauigoa will kick inside at the next level to amplify his strengths as a run blocker and maximize his frame. He would instantly become the top guard prospect in this draft, and it has become increasingly clear that Baltimore's guard play is untenable.
Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees have struggled, and an early-first-round talent could fortify the unit for years to come. Mauigoa is a dominant run blocker who should test well and has real upside in pass protection, perhaps more so against interior linemen than elite edge rushers.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy, despite tearing his ACL in January, entered the season as the top corner on most boards. He's strictly an outside corner, but with Chidobe Awuzie in a contract year, there's room for Baltimore to add to its secondary.
Although he doesn't have prototypical size (5'11"), his length allows him to play bigger than his size suggests. McCoy is experienced and comfortable in a variety of assignments, including press coverage. His ball skills are legit, and he is a willing run defender, too.
Assuming he looks like an excellent athlete in his return from injury, he'll enter April as one of its safest projections and a likely top-20 pick. For a Baltimore secondary that needs to keep up with an AFC arms race, McCoy would be a welcome compensation prize for an unfortunate situation under center.
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