Baltimore Ravens potential breakout performer: Broderick Washington

Broderick Washington is set to join the Baltimore Ravens defensive line rotation, make his mark. Here’s hoping he can break out in a larger role.

If you’re looking for certainty in today’s NFL, keep one thought in mind: The only certainty is uncertainty.

Injuries, holdouts or unexpected retirements can derail a once-promising season before it even gets on the tracks, while a surprising Day 3 pick or bright young newcomer coach could elevate a team to heights even the most hopeful of fans didn’t see coming. What we do know is there will be players who rise above expectations, players who fall much further than anticipated and players who either break out given more opportunities, or sink to irrelevance under the burden of added responsibilities.

For the 2021 Baltimore Ravens, a significant jump from linebacker Patrick Queen, last year’s first-round pick, could mean a world of difference for the team’s prospects — just look what Devin White’s growth did for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense this past season. Again, that would be a welcomed growth that many are expecting to see happen. Let’s focus on another defensive player from the same draft class that’s flying a little under the radar: defensive tackle Broderick Washington.

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The 6’2”, 305-pounder out of Texas Tech was not a significant part of the defensive line rotation last season, generating all of two assisted tackles in eight games. He was firmly entrenched behind veterans Derek Wolfe, Brandon Williams and Calais Campbell, and faded in the shadows behind fellow rookie Justin Madubuike. But there is some question if free-agent Wolfe will return this season, along with some Twitter speculation (insert deep sigh here) over the future of Williams, which could afford Washington some more opportunities.

But even if Wolfe is signed and the Ravens do hang on to Williams, you’re not talking about a young line. The Ravens could benefit by keeping those veterans fresh for a long season by adding more snaps to Washington’s workload, and his positional flexibility should allow him to move around the line wherever needed.

With Broderick Washington largely out of sight last season — no small task for a man his size, mind you — let’s re-visit the type of player he was at Texas Tech.

A two-time captain, Washington started every game for the Red Raiders over his last three seasons. He led his team’s defensive linemen with 39 tackles, and had five tackles for loss, with 2.5 sacks. He lined up at both defensive tackle and nose tackle in the Texas Tech defense. That is solid production, and the scouts liked his traits to go with that production.

“It’s easy to fall in love with Washington’s play demeanor,” wrote The Draft Network’s Joe Marino. “He fires off the ball with a quick first step, low pads and active hands to create initial contact to control each rep. Washington has terrific lateral quickness and knows how to get to the edges of blockers. He’s flexible, powerful and capable of powering through gaps.”

Matt Miller, then of Bleacher Report, wrote that Washington had “massive strength,” and compared him favorably to former Ravens lineman Lawrence Guy.

If Broderick Washington can provide positional flexibility, hold up strong at the point of attack and allow his veteran line-mates to stay fresh as the season progresses, he will become an important piece for this team going forward.

Here’s believing he does just that.