Ravens hosting 2024's biggest NFL Combine snub for intriguing visit

The Baltimore Ravens may consider themselves a bit of an expert when it comes to finding players from small schools, and their roster construction seems to back up those claims. With starters coming from schools like SMU, Samford, and Coastal Carolina, the Ravens have bolstered that reputation in recent years.

While most of the players Baltimore will take a keen interest in during the NFL Draft had some sort of presence at the 2024 NFL Combine, the organizers of that event don't have a perfect hit rate. There's always someone who slips through the cracks and remains a viable prospect despite not getting a trip to Indianapolis.

This year, that player could be Northern Iowa defensive tackle Khristian Boyd, who has been swimming in team visits after a dominant performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl showcase. The Ravens, in need of depth behind Justin Madubuike and the aging Michael Pierce, Boyd could be on Baltimore's radar.

The Ravens are meeting with Boyd, who has since established himself as one of the more impressive Day 3 linemen in this class. If he clicks in Baltimore's defense, they could beef up their run defense, an area where their elite defense was somewhat vulnerable as the season went on.

Baltimore Ravens eyeing Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd in NFL Draft

Boyd is listed at 329 pounds, and he plays every bit as strong as that weight would suggest. With 38 reps on the bench press and tape that shows him taking up multiple linemen on nearly every play, Boyd projects as a fairly effective space eater at the professional level.

While Boyd did get to the quarterback every now and again in college, his pass rush production might be the result of a professional-level athlete playing FCS talent rather than a skill he could translate to the pros. Boyd needs to go to a team willing to put him in a very specific role.

With Pierce starting to get a little long in the tooth and Madubuike not exactly Haloti Ngata as a run defender, Baltimore has invested in former UConn star Travis Jones as a backup tackle. With Boyd joining him, the Ravens can supplement what Madubuike brings to the table while also planning for his departure.

Some teams have a penchant for developing certain positions, and the Ravens have become a factory for interior defensive linemen in the last few decades. Boyd's raw strength and run defense will make him a viable pro player.