When you have one of the most talented rosters the league has ever seen, it can be easy for some big-time contributors to get lost on the field. The Baltimore Ravens have flashy playmakers like Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Marlon Humphrey, and Kyle Hamilton taking up most of the spotlight, and other stars are hidden from the eye of the media.
Guys like pass rusher Kyle Van Noy may not be as flashy, but they still get some recognition due to the numbers they put up. He has accumulated over 20 sacks over the past two seasons, including a career-high 12.5 in 2024. Although the 34-year-old still does not receive enough love and acknowledges this, he takes the opportunity to shed some light on his teammates who deserve it whenever he can.
During Thursday’s press conference at Ravens’ training camp, Van Noy highlighted the talent within the defensive trenches. While everyone is familiar with defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, one player who does not receive enough recognition is fellow interior defensive game-wrecker Travis Jones.
“You can’t forget those guys in the middle. Travis Jones and Nnamdi [Madubuike] are special. They’re a special duo. To me, I think they’re the best duo in the league. They’re not talked about enough. If you go watch the first couple games when Trav was healthy, you could argue he was just as dominant as Dexter Lawrence out there. If you really watch the film, he was that dominant.”
Could Travis Jones reach Dexter Lawrence's level in 2025?
Comparing Jones to New York Giants star Dexter Lawrence is lofty expectations for the 25-year-old. Lawrence is a three-time Pro Bowler and has earned an All-Pro second-team nod twice. He likely would have received his first All-Pro first-team selection in 2024 if it were not for a dislocated elbow that kept him out for five games. Meanwhile, Jones has yet to make a Pro Bowl, but he is certainly deserving of the honor.
Jones does not have the sack production of Lawrence, but he brings enough pressure to pair with his elite run-stuffing ability. He earned a 71.3 overall grade (24th among defensive linemen) per Pro Football Focus in 2024, which included a 73.2 run defense grade (15th among defensive linemen). He plays like a top defensive tackle in the NFL. It just seems that the numbers are not flashy enough for the media.
While the UConn product played all 17 contests in 2024, he was banged up over the course of the year. He dealt with a nagging ankle injury that held him back later in the season, but showed toughness by playing through it.
Jones has the makings of a future star, and with the kind of heart he has shown throughout his career, there should not be much that can hold him back from reaching his full potential.