The Baltimore Ravens have seen many of their star players off to horrendous starts in 2025. Much of their starting play has been lackluster, and it has led to their poor 1-5 start. Their most recent loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 6 did show some promise, though.
Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken finally got the run game going, and while it only resulted in three points, there is reason to believe the team could start turning things around after the bye week. More notably, the defense allowed a season-low 17 points against the Rams, as Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s unit was stout against the run and looked more formidable in pass coverage.
The biggest surprise in Week 6 was the impressive performance from defensive tackle C.J. Okoye. With Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington Jr. out due to injuries, Okoye quietly had a breakout showing. On 18 snaps, the 23-year-old posted a 69.4 defensive grade, per Pro Football Focus. That made it back-to-back strong games from Okoye, who posted a 64.0 grade in Week 5 against the Houston Texans.
Head Coach John Harbaugh came away thoroughly impressed by what he has been seeing from Okoye. Given the state of the defense through six games, Baltimore desperately needs their young contributors to start making significant strides, and Okoye has done just that.
“[Okoye] has come a long way,” Harbaugh said in his press conference on Monday. “To see him where he’s at right now, compared to where he was when he got here, is unbelievable. It’s night and day. He’s really done a great job…For him to be playing really good, solid football in there. Good run defense, and getting some pocket push, too, is really impressive.”
C.J. Okoye could help save the Ravens’ season
Okoye appears to be a key part of this Ravens defense moving forward. Before the game, Baltimore signed him to the 53-man roster on Saturday, waiving undrafted safety Reuben Lowery in the process. Now, with an encouraging stretch of games put together, his role should only increase.
His snap count has fluctuated through his three appearances in 2025. He saw 24 snaps in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs, 38 against Houston, and 18 against the Rams. However, after hearing Harbaugh’s praise for the emerging defensive tackle, it is tough to imagine Okoye not seeing more action in Baltimore’s Week 8 matchup with the Chicago Bears.
At 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, Okoye is a natural run stuffer, and while he has yet to contribute much as a pass rusher, he is making progress. He is still new to football, having not started playing until 2021, but his potential is clear, and he is beginning to showcase it.
Baltimore enters a much-needed bye week at 1-5 and is, on paper, one of the worst teams in football. However, their schedule should get easier, and many key players are returning from injury. Still, they will need to start taking some chances on some under-the-radar talents, and Okoye should be one of those players they lean heavily on in the coming weeks.