Ravens emerging talent enters make-or-break preseason test against Cowboys

Entering Week 2 of the NFL preseason, many players have their jobs on the line. For the Baltimore Ravens, much of their roster has already been sorted out. Although there are still two games left to play before the regular season, the test this week against the Dallas Cowboys could be the deciding factor for those still hoping to make the cut.

Many of the open roster battles are on the defensive side of the football. Recent season-ending injuries to rookie cornerbacks Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam opened up a competition at defensive back. Baltimore’s linebackers, alongside Roquan Smith, have yet to separate themselves, and the interior defensive line unit has had several standouts.

One of those standouts on the defensive line is C.J. Okoye. The 23-year-old defensive tackle spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers last year, but is now fighting for a spot with the Ravens. So far, he has impressed the coaching staff and showcased his potential in the team’s Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

In that game, Okoye registered a 74.2 overall grade per Pro Football Focus (PFF). He proved to be a versatile chess piece against the Colts’ offensive line, disrupting both the pass (69.4 pass rush grade) and run (67.7 run defense grade). As Baltimore gears up for their matchup with the Cowboys on Saturday, Okoye must impress if he wants a realistic shot at making the 53-man roster.

C.J. Okoye enters make-or-break preseason test against Cowboys

In Dallas’ preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, they ran for 148 yards on 5.5 yards per carry, and the offensive line held the Rams to just one sack. Many players graded out well. Left tackle Asim Richards (89.2 pass blocking grade), right tackle Ajani Cornelius (72.0 overall grade), left guard T.J. Bass (83.1 run blocking grade), and center Brock Hoffman (75.7 pass blocking grade) all had strong nights. Okoye will certainly have his work cut out for him, but he has shown he is capable of being a game wrecker.

Okoye applied consistent pressure in Week 1. He finished the night with two hurries and a hit on the quarterback, and made a stop in the run game. While his numbers were not flashy with three tackles, he made his presence felt. At 6-foot-6, 370 pounds, he could plug in as Baltimore’s backup nose tackle in 2025.

It will not come easily for Okoye, though. There is plenty of talent on the Ravens’ defensive line. The starters are set in stone, but several backups are fighting for position. Veterans John Jenkins and Brent Urban supply size as run stuffers, rookie Aeneas Peebles brings some serious juice, and C.J. Ravenell is another second-year pro looking to open the regular season with the team.

Given the team’s competition on the defensive line, there is not much room for error. Like Okoye,   Ravenell had a great night against the Colts, posting a 76.2 overall grade per PFF, and Peebles is showing lethal pass-rushing traits. Okoye figures to mainly compete with Jenkins and Urban at nose tackle, but it will be tough, as both are proven NFL players.

However, if he shows up in a big way again against the Cowboys, then the Ravens could keep the younger player. Regardless, he is someone they should look to keep on the practice squad if he cannot make the team out of the preseason.

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