There's a ton of positive buzz about the Baltimore Ravens' new-look defense. Much of this excitement is around key additions: dynamic pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, sturdy veteran Calais Campbell, second-round pick Zion Young, safety Jaylinn Hawkins, and new head coach Jesse Minter, who is a defensive guru.
Hendrickson, Campbell, and Hawkins add to Baltimore's established talent, including Kyle Hamilton, Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, and Roquan Smith. If Marlon Humphrey bounces back he could be included in this group too.
The young players can't be overlooked, though. Zion Young joins players like Trenton Simpson, Teddye Buchanan, Mike Green, and Nate Wiggins as high-upside young players. Baltimore's established talent paired with Minter gives them a high defensive floor. However, the possibility of these young players reaching another level would allow Baltimore to reach a higher defensive ceiling.
That's an ideal combination.
Relying on an overly experienced defensive core can cap your ceiling. Conversely, relying on an overly youthful group can make you too volatile. Thankfully, the Ravens' defense offers the best of both worlds, with plenty of established veterans and several young breakout candidates.
Minter can help the young players develop, ensuring that the Ravens' talent is maximized. If some of the Ravens' older veterans (especially Madubuike and Campbell) need a breather, they have ample young players to fill this void. Plus, the Ravens' young talent makes them poised for long-term success under Minter, assuming these players develop.
By all accounts, it's a perfect situation.
Growth from young players could make the Baltimore Ravens a truly elite defense
Several of the Ravens' young defensive players have breakout potential. Nevertheless, linebackers Trenton Simpson and Teddye Buchanan are two players generating some internal buzz.
Recently, Ravens players were surveyed about who on the team will be the breakout player this season. Simpson received three votes (which was second, behind Ja'Kobi Lane), and Buchanan received two votes.
Simpson, a former third-round pick, has flashed upside as a playmaker during his three seasons in the NFL. Regardless, he must improve in coverage and against the run. If Simpson can clean this up, he could be a high-impact player.
On the other hand, Buchanan was a clear bright spot to an otherwise shaky Ravens' defense last season. Unfortunately, Buchanan tore his ACL in December of last season. He is ruled out for Week 1, but since he's not on IR, he should be back shortly.
If Buchanan can return to form, he could certainly have a breakout year. Last season, he was a game-changing presence, constantly wreaking havoc across the field.
Of course, other players could level up. Green should benefit immensely from playing alongside Hendrickson. And while also playing within Minter's schemes, the 2024 FBS leader in sacks is poised to show his upside as a game-changing pass rusher.
Zion Young could be a plug-and-play run-stopper, which would make him an ideal fit with Hendrickson and Green, who aren't as strong in this department. Similar to Young, Tavius Robinson is a quality run-stopper. However, at 27 after three solid years, he doesn't fit cleanly into either the veteran or young player camp.
Having these three young players blossom alongside the Ravens' slew of established front-seven players could help make the unit that opposing teams dread playing.
Wiggins is a prime candidate to do so. He feels primed to be taken on opposing teams' best receivers most weeks. While he struggled in coverage at times last season, he does a good job mirroring WRs, and the Ravens' lack of pass rush did him no favors last season.
Starks had a solid rookie season, but clearly has another gear to reach. The 2025 first-round pick displayed some solid ball-hawking chops, reeling in two interceptions, but Starks needs to show that he can truly control the back end of the field, especially with Hamilton being utilized across the field a ton.
If Starks can put it together, the Ravens could have an otherworldly safety trio with him, Hamilton, and Hawkins
Between the Ravens bolstering their defense with proven veterans and Minter's elite schemes, Baltimore is poised to be a top-10-level defense. The possibility of internal growth, though, is what gives the Ravens a top-three-level defense ceiling. If everything falls into place, this could be a unit that nobody wants to face.
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