The Baltimore Ravens have reshaped their defense this offseason. A unit that was absolutely pitiful in 2025 now appears to be one ready to strike fear into opposing offenses in 2026. There’s a major influx of talent.
With all that added talent, there’s going to be some players in a bit of a pressure cooker in the coming months. They’ve already felt that through offseason activities, but it’s only going to intensify once the Ravens hit training camp. CJ Okoye is among that group of players.
Last year, the hype for Okoye in Baltimore began. As a player who came to the NFL via the International Player Pathway program, the ceiling for the 6-foot-6, 370-pound defensive lineman always seemed high. However, as he enters his second season in Charm City and fourth in the league, time is ticking on Okoye. Could this be it?
CJ Okoye may be running out of time with the Baltimore Ravens
CJ Okoye finds himself in a decent situation this offseason. While many roster bubble players have watched their fight for a 53-man roster spot get tougher after Jesse Minter was hired, that may have actually been great news for Okoye.
Before arriving in Baltimore, Okoye played with the Los Angeles Chargers from 2023 to 2024, making the practice squad in both years. In that 2024 campaign, he got to work with Minter, and that relationship they’ve already built could save the 24-year-old a spot with the Ravens. The keyword is could, though. If we’re being honest, those chances are dwindling.
One of Baltimore’s more notable additions recently was their signing of Calais Campbell. Despite being 39 years old, he remains a fierce game-wrecker and could be one of the starters up front this year. Then, in the 2026 NFL Draft, the team drafted Rayshaun Benny in the seventh round, who also has a strong relationship with Minter. Undrafted defensive lineman Aaron Graves was also the Ravens’ most expensive signing of the undrafted free agent cycle. That’s a lot of new competition for Okoye.
And while Okoye is a pure nose tackle, which is something each of those three guys can’t say, even that spot will be hard to come by. That role isn't a big necessity already, but the Ravens also have some depth there. John Jenkins and Travis Jones can do real damage at the position, and even Campbell, who is 6-foot-8, 315 pounds, could kick over there if needed.
Ultimately, while Okoye is coming off a season where he saw a good number of reps along the defensive front, most, if not all of those, could disappear in 2026. He needs to take some strides during training camp and preseason if he wants a realistic shot at making the practice squad. He's still a fascinating project since he remains relatively new to the sport, but for a player turning 25 this year, that project label may be losing its luster.
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