Ravens DL Broderick Washington has plenty of untapped potential

The Baltimore Ravens have long held onto defensive lineman Broderick Washington as a depth piece, but is it time he became a starter?

Heading into 2022, the Ravens’ defensive line has been revamped with Michael Pierce likely occupying the nose tackle position and Justin Maduibike and Calais Campbell looking to enjoy productive seasons.

Fellow lineman Broderick Washington sits behind Madubuike as a backup option and got his first two starts last season in his second year in Baltimore — Washington played 14 games total and recorded 16 combined tackles, three quarterback hits, and one sack in a middling campaign.

The former fifth-round pick has nonetheless shown enough promise for the Ravens to keep him around for insurance purposes, yet Washington has the potential to serve as a full-time starter according to one NFL pundit.

Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay came up with an NFL expansion roster for 2022 and had Washington joining Philadelphia Eagles’ Fletcher Cox in the interior defense:

"“Broderick Washington is on the other side of the spectrum, having accomplished little in his career thus far but offering plenty of upside at the age of 25.The third-year veteran hasn’t established himself as a regular starter for the Ravens but could play that role with a brand-new club. His development would be further expedited under Cox’s tutelage.”"

Ravens’ Broderick Washington is an uncut gem in the team’s defensive line

Eagles’ Fletcher Cox has been in the league for a decade and could be considered expendable to Philly. Cox could turn into a wise mentor for Washington, who’s still trying to make a consistent impact on the defensive line.

Washington has already played with quite a few vets in Baltimore, but leaving the Ravens to join a potential expansion team could be the best thing for his future.

The Ravens recently brought in Michael Pierce and rookie Travis Jones to fill out the defensive line corps, and it seems Washington will yet again assume a backup role in 2022.

In Baltimore’s 3-4 defensive system, Washington admittedly only has recorded one sack in his career, but at the spry age of 25, he has time to grow into a starting-caliber defender.

Baltimore’s aging defensive line remains sorely in need of young and reliable playmakers, and Justin Madubuike has an important make-or-break season ahead of him. If Madubuike impresses, Washington will likely see the field less and struggle to earn starting snaps.

The team would miss having a young developmental player like Washington on the depth chart, but Washington deserves every opportunity to take a leap in his unfulfilled career.