The Baltimore Ravens are bringing in a monster draft class in 2025. They made 11 picks throughout the seven-round event, and some of the undrafted free agents they signed are also looking to make an impact.
One area they addressed was the defensive line. Eric DeCosta and the front office picked pass rusher Mike Green in the second round, who was one of the steals of the draft and should have a strong rookie campaign. However, another rookie drafted was Aeneas Peebles, a defensive tackle out of Virginia Tech, and he might be the most overlooked rookie in the class.
Aeneas Peebles could contribute in a key role in 2025
Much of the reason Peebles fell in the draft and has not been getting much hype is because of his size. At 289 pounds, the 23-year-old is severely undersized for a defensive tackle, but that did not stop him from making his mark in college.
At Duke and Virginia Tech, he showcased a competitive demeanor and a nonstop motor that helped him feast in backfields. His speed and athleticism also allowed him to win one-on-one matchups. With those traits, he is the exact kind of player Baltimore wants in their lineup every game, and looking at the current interior defensive line situation, the path is there to earn key reps in year one.
Baltimore has two Pro Bowl-caliber players in the trenches on the defensive side of the football. Nnamdi Madubuike is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowls, and nose tackle Travis Jones has emerged as one of the best run-stoppers in the league and should be in Pro Bowl conversation for 2025. However, the defensive end opposite of Madubuike could quickly become an open battle.
Broderick Washington signed a three-year extension in 2023 but has disappointed since. He has not provided above-average play since 2022, when he seemed like one of the better young defensive ends in the league. His struggles and run stuffer Michael Pierce's retirement frees up playing time for the Ravens’ depth this year, and Peebles could take advantage.
While Peebles may be a pass-rush-only option on the defensive line, he could eventually take some of Washington’s snaps if he impresses early. He flashed the talent in OTAs, moving coaches with his explosive get-off. Defensive line coach Dennis Johnson harped on that remarkable ability but also admitted he has some work to do technique-wise.
He might never become a three-down player due to his size, which may effectively neutralize him against the run, but his innate abilities and motor should allow him to see the field early and often. Baltimore is a place where it can be tough for rookies to see the field, but Peebles has all the opportunity in the world to seize crucial reps in 2025.