The Baltimore Ravens are facing a ton of uncertainty along their interior defensive line on Monday night against the Detroit Lions. The loss of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike in Week 3 has put their unit in flux.
The starting unit will likely look something similar to Travis Jones, Aeneas Peebles, and Broderick Washington Jr. Veterans John Jenkins and Brent Urban are also on track to see a good chunk of playing time, but Baltimore will rely heavily on that trio of Jones, Peebles, and Washington.
This week’s Monday Night Football matchup is especially crucial for Peebles and Washington. Everyone knows Jones is becoming a top-tier nose tackle in the NFL, but Peebles and Washington are out to prove themselves. In Washington’s case, in particular, he has his back against the wall.
After an abysmal performance in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns, where he posted a 28.8 grade, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), and a 2024 campaign that saw just a 53.5 overall PFF grade, Washington’s future is in question. One more poor outing and the 28-year-old may be phased out of Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s plans.
Another poor outing from Broderick Washington Jr. could spark a major depth chart shakeup
Peebles is quickly breathing down Washington’s neck for the starting job. Since signing a three-year $15.75 million extension with the Ravens in 2023, Washington has been a major letdown. On the other hand, Peebles has been a breakout star.
Peebles has posted a 69.9 overall grade, per PFF, thus far. He is already showing to be one of the best rookie pass rushers from the interior with a 69.1 pass rush grade and two hurries. It is a shocking early breakout from the 2025 sixth-round pick, but Baltimore is giving him all the opportunity to prove himself.
The former Virginia Tech star saw his defensive snaps jump from 12 to 22 from Week 1 to Week 2. For Washington, his snaps dropped from 34 to 26. Washington is under contract through the 2026 season, but it is becoming evident Peebles is the future.
Baltimore would save money if it cut Washington after this year. They would create an $4.01 million in cap space with a pre-June 1 cut in the 2026 offseason, per Over the Cap.
With each passing game, it is looking like Washington’s tenure in Charm City could be coming to an end. If he does not step it up against the Lions, Peebles could steal his starting job.