In an unexpected move during the 2025 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens decided not to make a trade with the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. The trade offer, which was revealed by the Eagles on Saturday, came as a surprise to many fans and analysts.
What Happened During the NFL Draft?
On Saturday morning, the Philadelphia Eagles shared exclusive footage of their war room from the 2025 NFL Draft. In the video, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman can be seen on the phone with Ravens GM Eric DeCosta. Roseman inquired about the possibility of trading down from the 27th overall pick.
“Hey, buddy. Any interest in moving back?” Roseman asked, offering either immediate picks or future selections as options. But the Ravens decided to hold onto their position and selected Georgia safety Malaki Starks with the 27th pick.
Ravens Opt for Stability Over Trade Opportunities
Despite being presented with the chance to move back in the draft, DeCosta and the Ravens stayed firm. After the first round, DeCosta explained why they chose not to trade down and instead selected Starks, who was their top target.
“We had some opportunities to trade back,” DeCosta said to reporters. “In the end, you have to weigh the excitement of getting additional picks versus the quality of the player you’d get. For me, Starks was the best available, and we couldn’t pass up on him.”
Starks, who had been highly regarded as one of the top safeties in the draft, checked all the boxes for the Ravens. DeCosta mentioned that while there were other players they had their eye on, Starks stood out above the rest.
Eagles’ Pursuit of Another Pick Pays Off
Though the Ravens decided against trading, the Eagles were still determined to move up in the draft. Roseman reached out to several teams before finalizing a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, the team they had beaten in Super Bowl LIX earlier in the year. The Eagles traded up one spot to select Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
Roseman called the move a “real easy pick” for the Eagles, suggesting that Campbell was always the player they were targeting with their trade. While it’s unclear if the Eagles initially planned to trade with the Ravens for Campbell, it’s clear that all teams involved were content with the outcomes of their respective picks.
Ravens’ Decision to Stay Put Pays Off
Looking back, the Ravens’ decision to stay at No. 27 and draft Starks instead of making a trade appears to have been a wise one. Given DeCosta’s comment about valuing player quality over additional picks, it seems that the Ravens are focusing on building a solid roster for the future rather than taking unnecessary risks for the sake of extra draft capital.
The Ravens’ choice to hold their ground and draft Starks has been praised by many as a strategic move, especially considering their history of making strong draft decisions. In contrast, the Eagles’ willingness to trade up to secure Campbell also reflects a clear strategy in their pursuit of a linebacker to strengthen their defense.
