NFL
By Joey MacDonald
The Baltimore Ravens’ defense in 2024 had an up-and-down year throughout the season. Through Weeks 1-10, the Ravens defense gave up 368 yards per game, which was in the bottom 5 in the entire league, and from Week 11-18, they ranked #1 in every single defensive category. This year, Defensive coordinator Zach Orr aims to build on the momentum from last season and deliver a full season of outstanding defense.
Here is what the defense may look like when the season starts in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.
Defensive Line:
Nnamdi Madubuike
Travis Jones
Aeneas Peebles
John Jenkins
Broderick Washington
The Ravens’ defensive Line led the entire NFL in stopping the run by only allowing 80 yards per game. Led by Nnamdi Madubuike, who will continue to lead the defensive line, while Broderick Washington will lead on the other side of Madubuike. A name that looks to breakout this year is 2022 draftee Travis Jones, who looks to make a giant step in 2025 to prove he belongs in Baltimore for the long haul. 6th Round pick looks to play his way into the starting lineup by the end of the season after having a great training camp and preseason by moving around the lineup during the season.
Pass Rushers:
Kyle Van Noy
Mike Green
Odafe Oweh
David Ojbao
Tavius Robinson
The Ravens have some pass rushers who can put pressure on the quarterback, but the question is whether they can finish off the sacks to get the quarterback. I firmly believe they can with this group of pass rushers. Mike Green has been advertising in the same style as when he left Marshall. Kyle Van Noy will continue to be the veteran leader of this pass-rushing group. Tavius Robinson will be a breakout star on this defense, and Odafe Oweh will likely get double-digit sacks again in 2025.
Inside Linebackers:
Roquan Smith
Trenton Simpson
Jay Higgins
Teddye Buchanan
Roquan Smith will continue to be the vocal and passionate leader for the Ravens’ defense, and Trenton Simpson will be the other ILB who can breakout during his 3rd season in the NFL. Jay Higgins has been having a great training camp and preseason. He will continue the tradition of having at least one UDFA make the Week 1 roster, and he will be in a particular defense package for Zach Orr and company. Teddye Buchanan, who has shown promise, will be similar to Higgins and utilized in specific defensive packages for DC Zach Orr.
Cornerback:
Marlon Humphrey
Jaire Alexander
Nate Wiggins
TJ Tampa
Jalyn Armour-Davis
Chidobe Awuzie
Keyon Martin
The Ravens’ secondary was ranked 31st last year after being tormented by several teams early in the season, including their rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, where Joe Burrow threw for a total of 9 passing touchdowns. And, after Week 10 till the end of the season, the secondary led all defensive categories in stopping the pass. Now in 2025, the secondary looks revamped thanks to some free agent signings in Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie, as well as Nate Wiggins, who will look to improve in his 2nd season. And, another UDFA Keyon Martin, who made noise in the preseason with a safety and had a pick-six against, earned himself a spot on the Week 1 53-man roster.
Safeties:
Kyle Hamilton
Malaki Starks
Ruben Lowery
Beau Brade
Sanoussi Kane
The safety position for the Ravens is the deepest on the defensive side. All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and 1st round Malaki Starks will lead the way in the safety positions, as they look to prevent any big-time plays from their opponents. While Ruben Lowery, another UDFA, made some big plays, including an interception against Dallas. While Sanoussi Kane will primarily be used as a depth piece, so when someone goes down, he will step up, and Beau Brade, who made some tackles in the preseason, can be used as both a special teams player and a depth piece for the secondary.
If this defense can play much better in the 1st 10 weeks of the season going into November and December I don’t see a reason why this team and Lamar Jackson won’t be hoisting up the Lombardi Trophy in February.
