Led by veteran Calais Campbell, the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive line was a force to be reckoned with in 2022 and should have no problem bringing the momentum they built this past season into 2023. While Campbell’s status for next year is unknown, the Ravens have plenty of contributors under contract who could help them make a Super Bowl run next year.
Campbell registered five and a half sacks this season as a 36-year-old, which was tied with fellow lineman Justin Madubuike for the most on Baltimore’s defensive front in 2022. No other Ravens defensive lineman registered more than one sack, though third-year tackle Broderick Washington was among Baltimore’s most productive tacklers, ranking seventh on the team with 49.
Rookie defensive tackle Travis Jones had a slow start to his NFL career with just one start on the season, though he managed to secure one sack and 24 tackles, two of which were for a loss, in his first year after a strong preseason, and showed plenty of flashes. While these numbers may not be particularly eye-popping, they were more than serviceable for a third-round pick. Jones in particular should see an expanded role in Baltimore’s defense next year and could be a fixture in the Ravens’ defensive front for years to come.
Among the team’s other presences on the defensive line were Brent Urban and Rayshad Nichols who made subtle but necessary contributions over the course of the season. Nichols only saw action in one game but made four combined tackles in the effort. Urban, on the other hand, was a depth option in 16 of the Ravens’ regular season games and secured 21 tackles on the year, of which two were for a loss while making a solid impact.
Baltimore was without veteran defensive tackle Michael Pierce for much of the season due to a biceps injury that ended his year in Week 3. Pierce is still under contract, though, so don’t be surprised if he plays a role in the Ravens’ defense next season.
All in all, this capable group played admirably in 2022, though Eric DeCosta could stand to invest in the defensive end position in the offseason if he wants to bolster Baltimore’s pass rush.
