When you think of the Baltimore Ravens, one word comes to mind—defense.
Historically, the Ravens have been defined by their defensive prowess. Heading into the 2025 NFL season, the team is once again reshaping that identity.
In 2024, Baltimore’s defense had a rollercoaster year. They ranked 27th in defensive EPA per play through Week 10, before dramatically improving to 1st overall in the second half of the season. It was the first year under defensive coordinator Zachary Orr, a former Ravens linebacker. Though he experienced some growing pains, Orr ended the season with the 9th-ranked scoring defense (361 points allowed) and the 10th in total yards allowed (5,511).
This offseason, the Ravens added experience to their coaching staff. Former defensive coordinators Dean Pees and Chuck Pagano returned as senior advisors. Both have deep Ravens ties—Pees was part of the 2012 Super Bowl-winning staff, while Pagano oversaw a top-three defense in 2011.
As the Ravens prepare for 2025 minicamp, let’s take a closer look at their defensive overhaul, the projected starters, rookie contributors, and the updated defensive depth chart.
Defensive Line and Front Seven: Pressure with Production
Baltimore’s three-man front returns intact:
- Broderick Washington
- Travis Jones (ranked 25th among 219 IDLs per PFF)
- Nnamdi Madubuike (ranked 36th)
On the edge, Kyle Van Noy re-signed after leading the team with 12.5 sacks. He’ll be joined by Odafe Oweh, who enters a contract year after posting a career-best 10 sacks.
At inside linebacker, Roquan Smith is back. The All-Pro linebacker struggled with a hamstring injury and inconsistent communication in 2024, but expectations remain high for a bounce-back year.
The Ravens generated 54 sacks last season (top-5 in the NFL), but takeaways were a concern—just 0.9 per game. To bolster the unit, Baltimore drafted:
- Mike Green, EDGE (Marshall) – 2nd round
- Teddye Buchanan, ILB (Cal) – 4th round
- Aeneas Peebles, DT (Virginia Tech) – 6th round
Secondary Outlook: Elite Talent, New Faces
The Ravens secondary remains a strength with Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton leading the charge. Humphrey had 6 interceptions and 15 pass deflections, earning First-Team All-Pro honors. Hamilton, a Swiss Army knife in the secondary, made his second straight Pro Bowl with 107 tackles.
First-round pick Nate Wiggins (Clemson) brings elite speed and already made an impact with a pick-six vs. Cleveland in 2024.
At safety, the Ravens suffered a blow when Ar’Darius Washington tore his Achilles. Enter Malaki Starks, the 2025 first-rounder out of Georgia. A consensus All-American, Starks brings hybrid versatility, excellent ball skills (17 PBUs, 6 INTs in college), and ideal size (6’1″, 197 lbs).
Baltimore also added rookie corners Bilhal Kone (Western Michigan) and Robert Longerbeam (Rutgers) in the sixth round.
Ravens Defensive Cap Breakdown (2025)
Baltimore is investing heavily in its defense this year, with over $86 million committed to key players, per OverTheCap. Here are the top defensive cap hits:
| Player | Cap Hit | Notes |
| Roquan Smith | $23.7M | $15M base + $5.7M bonus |
| Nnamdi Madubuike | $16.5M | Coming off a breakout year |
| Marlon Humphrey | $12M | Top cornerback, low base salary ($1.25M) |
| Odafe Oweh | $13.25M | 5th-year option, fully guaranteed |
| Kyle Van Noy | $6.1M | Veteran pass rusher, team leader |
| Kyle Hamilton | $5.2M | Rising star at safety |
| Broderick Washington | $4.6M | Recently extended |
| Travis Jones | $3.67M | Productive nose tackle |
| Ar’Darius Washington | $3.26M | Out for season |
Baltimore still benefits from rookie deals for Wiggins, Ojabo, Simpson, Adisa Isaac and Starks—providing valuable cost control for years to come.
Full Ravens Defensive Depth Chart (2025)
(via Ourlads – Base 3-4 Defense)
Defensive Line
- DE: Broderick Washington / C.J. Ravenell / Adedayo Odeleye
- NT: Travis Jones / C.J. Okoye / Jayson Jones
- DT: Justin Madubuike / Aeneas Peebles
Linebackers
- LOLB: Kyle Van Noy / Tavius Robinson / David Ojabo / Malik Hamm
- WLB: Trenton Simpson / Teddye Buchanan / William Kwenkeu
- MLB: Roquan Smith / Jake Hummel / Jay Higgins
- ROLB: Odafe Oweh / Mike Green / Adisa Isaac / Diwun Black
Secondary
- LCB: Nate Wiggins / T.J. Tampa / Jalyn Armour-Davis
- RCB: Marlon Humphrey / Chidobe Awuzie / Bilhal Kone
- FS: Malaki Starks / Beau Brade / Keondre Jackson
- SS: Ar’Darius Washington (IR) / Sanoussi Kane / Desmond Igbinosun
- NB: Kyle Hamilton / Robert Longerbeam / Reuben Lowery
Can the Ravens Reclaim Defensive Dominance?
With a blend of veteran stars, ascending young talent, and savvy coaching hires, the 2025 Baltimore Ravens defense has the pieces in place to return to elite form. The front office has prioritized player retention and development while loading up on versatile rookies through the draft.
The upcoming Ravens minicamp will be pivotal as the team evaluates how quickly its rookies can contribute and how healthy veterans like Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton integrate into the new-look unit.
If everything clicks, Baltimore could once again boast one of the top defenses in the NFL—a trademark of Ravens football for decades.
Kyle J. Andrews is a 2018 University of Baltimore and Mount Saint Joseph High School graduate, along with former sports reporter for the Centre Daily Times in State College, Pa., the Baltimore Sun Media Group, 105.7 The Fan, Baltimore Beatdown, and Fox Sports 1340 AM. He has covered the Orioles, Ravens, high school sports in the Baltimore area and Central Pennsylvania, minor league baseball, Penn State and Maryland athletics and more.