POSITIONAL BATTLES: Defense

The Ravens are two weeks away from their annual roster crunch, and as usual, the math is tight. In addition to their three specialists, the team has typically gone with a 25-25 offense-defense split, setting up several tough cuts on both sides of the ball. The next two weeks – especially the Ravens’ two preseason games – will be crucial in deciding the remaining positional battles.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Ravens are dealing with a glut of talented linemen and some sudden scarcity at cornerback.

Baltimore has typically carried five defensive linemen on the 53-man roster. Four of those spots clearly belong to Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington, and Aeneas Peebles. Filling the fifth might be the team’s hardest decision of the summer.

Veterans John Jenkins and Brent Urban have excellent pedigrees and still look stout enough to stick around. Former UDFAs C.J. Okoye and C.J. Ravenell have both taken leaps this offseason and could contribute to the defense for the next three years (potentially four with an RFA tag).

The Ravens’ need for a backup nose tackle behind Jones will bring Jenkins and Okoye to the forefront of the competition. Jenkins is a proven, rock-solid run defender who flashed some surprising pass rushing juice against the Colts. Okoye seems like he has finally figured out how to use his massive frame (6-foot-7, 370 pounds) to overwhelm smaller offensive linemen.

Urban and Ravenell aren’t big enough to add depth at nose, so they’ll likely get squeezed out by the roser math. Urban is an obvious candidate for a handshake deal to come back on the practice squad, and the Ravens will likely cross their fingers and hope that Ravenell can clear waivers and join Urban.

Eating Jenkins’ $325k signing bonus isn’t ideal when considering in-season expenses, but it would be worth it if Okoye profiles as an inexpensive multi-year contributor. Jones could price himself out of Baltimore this year, which will force the Ravens to fill his snaps in the middle of the trenches. Okoye isn’t a 1-for-1 replacement, but he could be part of an aggregate solution. He’s also a risk to get claimed on waivers by a team willing to bet on his upside.

The Ravens could try to keep Jenkins with a handshake deal to bring him back on the roster or the practice squad, depending on how other injury situations shake out. However, he doesn’t have the same long-standing relationship with the team that Urban does and may want a more secure roster spot elsewhere.

It would appear, therefore, that the Ravens will have to decide between one year of Jenkins or three years of Okoye. Okoye’s physical potential seems worth the gamble, especially in a Baltimore defensive line room that has churned out talent over the years. Still, Jenkins certainly seems like the safer option to contribute disciplined, high-quality run defense on early downs and free Jones up to rush the passer. Interest in either player could also lead to a trade with Eric DeCosta adding more of his precious draft capital.

Injuries Challenge CB Depth

The Ravens’ depth defensive back competition had all the makings of a similar headache, but injuries have whittled it down to a few names. They always carry at least 10 defensive backs and prefer to have 11 or 12 whenever possible. This year, the magic number seems to be 11 with nine locks:

• Cornerback: Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jaire Alexander, Chidobe Awuzie, Jalyn Armour-Davis, T.J. Tampa
• Safety: Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, Sanoussi Kane

Season-ending injuries to Day 3 rookies Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam destroyed the Ravens’ young cornerback depth. Both were expected to compete for roster spots, though Longerbeam had clearly fallen behind. The Ravens valued Kone on special teams and hoped he could develop quickly on defense. That gave him a good chance at the 53-man roster, but the injury will make next year’s competition an uphill battle as he comes back from surgery.

Now, the team’s 10th- and 11th-best defensive backs both seem to be safeties: Beau Brade and Reuben Lowery. Brade hasn’t been a consistent playmaker in practice, but he was all around the ball against the Colts. He made the 53-man roster in 2024 and played core special teams snaps in 11 games, though he was inactive in the playoffs. Lowery’s string of interceptions and PBUs was one of the biggest revelations of the spring and he has continued to attack the ball this summer. He also brings value with nickel versatility and might be the next undersized safety to make the team. The Ravens will be keeping a close eye on his special teams performances in the remaining two preseason games. Early snaps would be a strong signal that he’s close to securing a roster spot.

Keyon Martin could also be an option as a depth slot corner. He performed admirably in that role against Indianapolis, but he’s a relatively unheralded player and should clear waivers before coming back on the practice squad.

At linebacker, Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson are set to partner in the middle of the Ravens defense with Teddye Buchanan filling one backup spot. Special teams ace Jake Hummel should have the inside track on the other given that he signed in Baltimore early in the offseason. However, both Chandler Martin and Jay Higgins looked great against the Colts. Again, it’s another question of one year of a veteran or three years of an undrafted free agent. If Martin or Higgins can have the same (or close to the same) short-term special teams impact as Hummel, their potential to contribute for multiple years may land them on the 53. Hummel is in a similar position to Jenkins when it comes to a handshake deal, but DeCosta could try to get a pick swap out of a team in need of proven special teams help.

It’s not unimaginable for the Ravens to carry 10 defensive backs and five linebackers, either. This would likely depend on who they think will clear waivers and return on the practice squad between Brade, Lowery, Martin, and Higgins. At least one of the safeties will stick around, but the other spot could be up for grabs between Hummel and the three undrafted rookies.

The Ravens’ edge room is probably the clearest of the bunch. The team’s top five edge rushers – Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, Tavius Robinson, Mike Green, and Adisa Isaac – are all locks. There doesn’t appear to be room for David Ojabo and waiving him would clear $1.8 million in cap space. That’s not an insignificant sum, especially right before the season when expenses like practice squad elevations start to accrue. He certainly doesn’t contribute as much on special teams as an extra defensive back or inside linebacker would. Ojabo should draw interest on waivers, so DeCosta might also be able to swing a trade with the same financial benefits and some added draft capital.

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/08/13/camp-notes/cuts-on-defense/