2027 NFL Draft: 6 defensive linemen who could fit the Ravens

In the past year, the Baltimore Ravens have been focusing on strengthening their defensive front. Currently, the team has six defensive linemen on their active roster. Nnamdi Madubuike is a top interior defender, although he is recovering from an injury. Eric DeCosta, the team's director of player personnel, has been consistently investing in the defensive line, often identifying future needs before they become critical.

As the 2026 college football season begins, several defensive line prospects are attracting early attention. Here are six names that Baltimore Ravens fans may want to monitor throughout the year:

1. Will Echoles from Ole Miss Rebels: Echoles has demonstrated exceptional productivity as a defensive tackle, recording 68 tackles, five sacks, and five passes defended in 2025. His combination of power, athleticism, and interior pass-rush ability has generated early first-round buzz, and several early rankings place him among the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2027 class.

2. Ahmad Moten from Miami Hurricanes: Moten had a standout season last year, recording 31 tackles and 4.5 sacks while showing promising interior pass-rush traits. Early draft boards rank him among the top defensive tackles in the country, making him an intriguing option for Baltimore's defense.

3. Bear Alexander from Oregon Ducks: Alexander has shown improvement and consistency this season, recording 50 tackles and earning All-Big Ten recognition. Despite questions about consistency, his physical tools have never been in doubt, positioning him in the Day 1-Day 2 conversation for the Ravens.

4. Will Heldt from Clemson Tigers: Heldt entered the season as an intriguing edge prospect, recording 39 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 2025. His combination of size and burst off the edge has led to early first-round discussions, and Baltimore could be interested in adding more edge defenders to their roster.

5. Kenyatta Jackson from Ohio State Buckeyes: Jackson returned from an injury last year and finished strong with 28 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Scouts remain interested in his size, athleticism, and developmental potential, making him a potential candidate to become one of the nation's premier edge defenders.

6. Quincy Rhodes Jr. from Arkansas Razorbacks: Rhodes has emerged as a notable defensive line prospect in the SEC. After recording 44 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks in 2025, he has garnered significant NFL interest. As the trenches matter greatly in the draft, Ravens fans should keep an eye on Rhodes' development.