The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as defensive previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role.
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Baltimore Ravens and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 Baltimore Ravens Defense
The Ravens were arguably the top run defense in the league last season, finishing first in yards allowed per running back carry (3.5), sixth in negative run rate on those RB carries (20.7%), and first in yards after contact allowed per RB carry (2.35).
While Michael Pierce retired, the core of the 2024 unit returns for 2025.
Nnamdi Madubuike consistently made plays in the backfield last season.
Travis Jones finished with 12 run stuffs of his own and a tackle on 19.9% of his run defense snaps.
The Ravens recorded 54 sacks, the second most in the league, but their 33% pressure rate ranked 21st.
Odafe Oweh contributed 10 sacks of his own, but his 11.7% pressure rate was less impressive and a big falloff from where he was in 2023, though he only had 5 sacks that season.
David Ojabo finally got on the field for an extended time after playing five games in his first two seasons, but he did not shine in a rotational role, logging a 7.1% pressure rate.
Tavius Robinson did not do any better on more snaps, and Adisa Isaac struggled with injuries his entire rookie season, playing just 32 snaps.
It is not surprising, then, that the Ravens spent a second-round pick on Mike Green, who likely would have been a first rounder if not for some off-field issues.
Roquan Smith ranked first on the team with 17 run stuffs and recorded a tackle on 26.8% of his run defense snaps.
A 2023 third-round pick, Trenton Simpson did not fare as well in his first taste of real action, allowing 3 touchdowns and a 121.4 quarterback rating in his coverage.
The Ravens ranked 21st in yards per attempt allowed and 15th in defensive EPA per pass in 2024, but they were much better over the back half of the season.
From Week 11 on, they ranked first in yards per attempt allowed (5.8), first in explosive pass rate allowed (4.4%), third in touchdown rate allowed (2.2%), and first in defensive EPA per pass (0.15).
A lot of that improvement came down to moving Kyle Hamilton into a more natural safety position, but Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey also played a big role in the turnaround.
Brandon Stephens was the other primary snap taker at corner, but he joined the Jets in free agency.
Chidobe Awuzie was added early, but the addition of Jaire Alexander could fill that void.
The Ravens selecting Malaki Starks in the first round could also free up Hamilton to help out more at corner moving forward, though Baltimore did pick up an injury concern this offseason.
Ar’Darius Washington played a big role in the defensive turnaround as well, stepping into the starting lineup in Week 8 and allowing just a 78.1 quarterback rating in coverage, but he suffered a torn Achilles this offseason that will force him to miss at least the beginning of the season.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2025 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data driven & full of actionable info
- Fantasy Football player profiles, predictions, and ranks
- Vegas Odds forecast team wins, division rankings, lines for all 2025 games
- Coaching strategic advice for teams, play calling analysis & team tendencies
- Front Office Analysis positional spending, roster construction & cap analysis
- Reasons to bet over/under win totals & analysis of futures betting market
- Rookie draft class deep dive into impact for every team
- Rankings for every positional unit on every team with analysis
