Justin Madubuike is about to cost the Ravens millions

Madubuike was a third-round pick out of Texas A&M in 2020, where following his rookie season, it looked like he about fit that draft status. But he has steadily improved with more reps and experience, having a breakout season this year that includes 10 sacks, 27 solo tackles, and a jaw-dropping 21 QB hits from an interior alignment. 

Those are all career highs for Madubuike, and the Ravens still have five games to go. 

But even more importantly, Madubuike is doing this in the final year of his rookie contract, foreshadowing a huge payday and a big check from Baltimore if he is to stick around. 

I feel like I've been predicting a Justin Madubuike breakout season every year that he's been in the NFL. This year it's finally happening. He leads NFL defensive linemen with 11 sacks. He's got 45 pressures which ranks fourth in pressure rate among pass rushers. He's always been an exciting, splash play, defensive tackle. This year he's just making those impact plays every single game. Now, officially, he only has 10 sacks. I get this data from PFF, and they don't do half sacks. So, if you were in position, and you were gonna get the sack anyways, they just give you a full sack. But he's had at least half a sack in 9 consecutive games. - James Foster, A To Z Sports Film Room

Sacks are king in the NFL. There's a reason why 8 of the last 10 winners of NFL Defensive Player of the Year are defensive linemen or edge players. 

And when you can push the pocket from the interior, generating pressures and sacks that challenge the depth of the pocket...

Well, you can just about forget it as an offense. Most offensive resources are dedicated to protecting the width of the pocket from edge defenders, leaving guards and centers at the mercy of defensive linemen like Madubuike. 

So Justin Madubuike has really developed into a consistent impact versus both the run and pass. I think ideally he's still your number two pass rusher. But I don't think he's finished developing. If he can continue to refine his pass rushing moves, he definitely could be a number one. He has the athletic traits to do that. And on a defense with a well designed pressure scheme, he can be that force multiplier that just wreaks havoc and the offense always has to be focused in on. James Foster, A to Z Sports Film Room

So it's safe to say Madibuke is a rare breed along the defensive front and will be rewarded as such. 

It's up to Baltimore to decide if they're going to be the ones writing the check this offseason. 

You can watch the full breakdown from Foster, and the rest of A to Z Sports Film Room here.