Pundit Ranks Baltimore’s Defense As League’s Best

A defense that could be dominant is also cause for optimism about the Ravens’ championship aspirations.

Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton put the Ravens at No. 1 in his ranking of the top defenses heading into the regular season.

“With proven veterans and emerging stars at every level, the Ravens possess an elite defense that’s poised to shut down offenses throughout 2025,” Moton wrote.

The Ravens’ pass defense went from porous in the first half of last season to impermeable in the second, while the run defense was stout throughout. Moton expects opposing teams to struggle through the air and on the ground against the Ravens this season.

“The Ravens’ secondary features a mix of established veterans and emerging talent,” Moton wrote. “Baltimore signed Jaire Alexander, who can perform at a Pro Bowl level if he stays healthy. Without him, the Ravens can still stifle aerial attacks with their top two cornerbacks (Humphrey and Nate Wiggins) and two physical safeties with coverage skills (Hamilton and first-round pick Malaki Starks).

“All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith is the centerpiece of the unit and a big reason why the Ravens gave up the fewest rushing yards last year. Kyle Van Noy has aged well in Baltimore. Since signing with the team’s practice squad in 2023, he’s recorded 21.5 sacks and 37 pressures. Last year, he earned his first Pro Bowl nod. In 2024, Odafe Oweh made significant strides, logging career highs in sacks (10) and tackles for loss (nine).”

Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano is also high on the Ravens’ secondary. He included the unit on his list of offseason winners.

“Star safety Kyle Hamilton recently earned a four-year, $100.4 million contract extension for his stellar first three seasons in the NFL, but he could be on the verge of delivering a career season based on the moves the Ravens made in the secondary this offseason,” Manzano wrote. “Last year, Hamilton spent plenty of time downfield to help the Ravens’ leaky coverage. He can now return to making plays closer to the line of scrimmage, where he thrived as a first-team All-Pro in 2023, because the team added veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander and rookie safety Malaki Starks. There’s also the possibility of a breakout season from second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins, and versatile cornerback Marlon Humphrey is coming off an All-Pro season.

“With the way Lamar Jackson & Co. can score in a hurry, expect opposing offenses to make plenty of regrettable decisions against this secondary just to keep pace on the scoreboard.”