After just a handful of OTA practices, the Baltimore Ravens have already seen impressive things from players like Tyler Badie, Jaylon Ferguson, and Rashod Bateman. Add Justin Madubuike to the running list of potential breakout stars in 2022.
Madubuike enters his third season in Baltimore and will play a key role in the team’s interior pass-rush along with Broderick Washington, Michael Pierce, and rookie Travis Jones.
Of those players, Madubuike may possess the highest ceiling given his promising rookie season: in 2020, the defensive tackle recorded 19 tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and one sack in 10 games.
The 2020 third-rounder started 11 games last season and put together a decent season, but Madubuike enters a critical year in 2022 in which the team expects much, much more from him.
Ravens defense dominated Wednesday’s OTAs.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) June 8, 2022
Baltimore deflected eight passes, including three by Justin Madubuike.
Undrafted rookie Denzel Williams intercepted Brett Hundley for a pick-6. Marlon Humphrey had an interception off a deflection.
Locking in a prediction of a Justin Madubuike breakout season https://t.co/0bcXYswxA9
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) June 9, 2022
Ravens’ defensive tackle Justin Madubuike is ready for his breakout season
This offseason, Madubuike reportedly worked out with Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who is widely regarded as one of the best defensive tackles of all time. With any luck, some of Donald’s experience rubbed off on Madubuike, and Madubuike can look forward to taking a monstrous leap in his career this season.
As reporters noted, Madubuike was one of the most active defensive players during Wednesday’s OTAs and recorded three total deflections, one of which was intercepted by Marlon Humphrey.
Considering the Ravens’ aging defensive line, Madubuike stands out as one of the most promising young players at his position and has a golden opportunity to carve out a consistent starting role for himself this year.
Aside from a knee sprain in training camp of 2020, Madubuike enters 2022 with a clean bill of health and offers solid defensive play in the trenches.
Like many other fledgling Ravens players this season, Justin Madubuike has all the tools he needs to succeed — now it’s just a matter of living up to his potential.