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Predicting the Next Baltimore Ravens Defensive Breakout

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Ryan Potts | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 12:00 PM ET

The 2024 Baltimore Ravens had a defense that was defined by a midseason shift. Through 10 weeks, it was one of the worst units in the NFL. After Week 10, the Ravens returned to their usual juggernaut form. With an ascending defense, there is plenty of room for a Ravens defensive breakout star.

Here are three Ravens to keep an eye on in 2025.

Who Will be the Next Ravens Defensive Breakout?

Travis Jones, Interior Defensive Lineman

Since coming out of Connecticut in the 2022 NFL Draft, Jones has had big shoes to fill. Even as a third-round pick, many in the draft community had Jones as a top-50 player. He was commonly seen as a draft steal. Through three seasons, Jones has yet to establish himself as a dominant player, but he has been a capable option on the interior.

Jones’ snap count has steadily increased season-over-season. Last season, he played 53% of Baltimore’s snaps, earning the start in 15 of 17 games. Par for the nose tackle course, Jones had modest stats once again. He had only one sack and four tackles for loss. He set career-highs across the board with 42 total tackles, 22 solo tackles, and 20 assisted tackles.

With Michael Pierce off to retirement, Jones is the unquestioned nose tackle for the Ravens. He is also entering a contract season, so Jones could make himself a hefty payday with a massive season.

Reason for Breakout

Jones seemed to be the only Raven who got worse after the Week 10 schism. Through Week 10, Jones had a 79.7 PFF grade with a 78.2 run-defense grade and 68.6 pass-rush grade. He ranked among interior players in overall grade and fourth in run-defense grade.

In the final nine games of the season (including playoffs), Jones posted a 57.1 grade. He was still a capable run defender (62.8 grade). Jones struggled particularly against Pittsburgh. He had grades of 52.8, 52.0, and 56.0 in those matchups. The most alarming trend was Jones missing half of his tackles in the playoffs.

Even with his second-half struggles, Jones finished with a modest improvement over his 2023 grades. If he maintains his 2024 first-half performance through a full season, Jones will be in Pro Bowl consideration. He can look across the defensive line room for another Year 4 breakout in Nnamdi Madubuike.

Like Jones, Madubuike went in the third round. Madubuike exploded in his fourth season (2023), racking up 13 sacks. He earned Second-Team All-Pro honors and even garnered down-ballot Defensive Player of the Year consideration. Jones will not be the sack artist Madubuike was in 2023, but maybe he could find himself between Pierce and Haloti Ngata on the Ravens’ nose tackle spectrum.

Tavius Robinson, Edge

Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) blocks Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson (95) as quarterback Jameis Winston (5) prepares to throw a pass Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.

After getting his NFL legs under him in 2023, Robinson had a solid 2024 as a rotational pass rusher. He nabbed 3.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hits. He played 43% of Baltimore’s snaps with his role steadily increasing throughout the season. His best stretch came between Week 8 and Week 9, recording 2.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits.

Entering Year 3, Robinson is embroiled in a position battle on the edge. He could be the third Raven off the edge, but 2024 third-round pick Adisa Isaac and 2025 second-round pick Mike Green are knocking on the door. Let’s see how he can hold them off.

Reason for Breakout

Robinson had two major improvements as his snaps increased. As a baseline, Robinson was a more reliable tackler, missing just one tackle – good for a 2.9% rate. In 2023, Robinson missed 10.3% of his tackles. Robinson’s second improvement was his ball production as a rusher. His pressure rate improved slightly, but Robinson turned hitting the quarterback into a more routine occasion. In 2023, only one of Robinson’s nine pressures turned into a quarterback hit. In 2024, 12 of Robinson’s 18 pressures turned into a quarterback hit.

Robinson has yet to grade out as a good pass rusher (54.0 pass-rush grade in 2024), but the tools are in place for Robinson to be a good power rusher. More than his pass-rush chops, Robinson also seems to be a great mentor for rookie Mike Green. The sack production may never come, but Robinson’s value as an edge-setter and pocket pusher is worthy of a Ravens defensive breakout tag.

Nate Wiggins, Cornerback

Wiggins is the most obvious Ravens defensive breakout selection as he is the reigning first-round pick in the room. Wiggins had a solid rookie season, nabbing one interception and one forced fumble. His highlight of the season was a Week 18 pick-six against the Cleveland Browns. Wiggins had 13 pass deflections, second on the team. His exploits earned him 11th place in the Defensive Rookie of the Year race. He finished seventh among defensive backs.

Under the hood, Wiggins’ numbers are even more impressive. Among the 70 corners who had 400 coverage snaps in the regular season, Wiggins ranked fourth in passer rating allowed. The only three ahead of him were Derek Stingley Jr., Pat Surtain II, and Marlon Humphrey – also known as the trio of First-Team All-Pro cornerbacks. Wiggins’ passer rating is all the more impressive considering he only had one interception.

Reason for Breakout

Wiggins dealt with two separate injuries in 2024, missing Week 2 and Week 8. He had his three lowest-graded games of the season within four weeks of coming back from his early-season neck injury. He allowed his most yards of the season in Week 3, conceding 82 yards on four catches. Wiggins rebounded in Week 4, but his Week 5 and Week 6 efforts were less than stellar.

After allowing 50 yards in three of his first five games, Wiggins allowed 50 yards only once the rest of the season. Wiggins finished the season with a 69.0 coverage grade, buoyed by four games with a 75 grade. On the other side, he had a trio of games with a coverage grade below 50.

Despite his slighter frame (listed at 185 pounds), Wiggins was a remarkably consistent run defender. He finished with an 84.5 run-defense grade. His missed tackle rate was palatable, but it leaves room for improvement.

Check out three offensive players to keep an eye on.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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