Aaron Graves 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Baltimore Ravens DL

Matt HolderJan 27, 2026

The Baltimore Ravens are reportedly signing Iowa DL Aaron Graves as an undrafted rookie free agent, per Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.

At 6'5", 295 pounds, Aaron Graves combines size and solid athleticism to be an intriguing late-round 2026 NFL draft prospect or as a priority free-agent signing. His quickness and movement skills give him potential as a pass-rusher, and he has the upper-body strength to get extension on blocks when working against the run.

Graves went to Iowa as a 4-star recruit in the 2022 class, getting playing time as a true freshman and becoming a full-time starter during his junior year. He played in 52 games for the Hawkeyes, racking up 122 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, a sack and five passes defended over four seasons.

That production resulted in honorable mention (2024) and second-team (2025) All-Big selections for the Iowa native.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Highlights

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Scroll down for the full scouting report.

Where He Wins

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- Graves has good size and appears to have long arms. Fits the physical profile for an NFL 4i-technique.

- Decent overall athlete who shows solid quickness, giving him potential to develop as a pass-rusher.

- Sets up his pass-rush moves well by stemming outside to open up an inside lane or vice versa.

- Has flashed a solid swim-move that he can win with as a pass-rusher or use to escape blocks in the run game.

- When he picks his hand straight up from the ground, he has the upper-body strength and length to get extension blocks in the run game.

- Solid at moving his feet and using his agility to avoid getting reached.

Areas of Improvement

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Matthew Holst/Getty Images

- Graves is a waist-bender, not a knee-bender, hindering his lower-body strength and ability to stay in his gap. He ends up losing gap control against one-on-one blocks from offensive linemen, who play with good leverage, and gets blown off the ball by combo blocks.

- Waist bending also causes issues with his balance, as he ends up with his nose over his toes often.

- Hands are often late and wide as a run defender, exposing his chest and leading to getting stuck on blocks often.

- Late to recognize and struggles to sink his hips against down blocks, leading to him getting washed inside.

- Use of hands as a pass-rusher is poor, showing issues with timing and accuracy, which makes it difficult for him to win consistently.