Ravens' defensive depth chart questions fans should know

The Baltimore Ravens have enough talent to produce one of the NFL’s best defenses. Determining how all the pieces fit together will be one of training camp’s most important developments. Head coach Jesse Minter will call the defensive plays, while coordinator Anthony Weaver will help oversee a unit featuring Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, Trey Hendrickson and several ascending young players.

Baltimore’s projected starting lineup appears imposing. The depth chart behind those starters contains health concerns, open competitions and opportunities for younger players to earn meaningful roles.

When will Nnamdi Madubuike return?

Madubuike’s health remains the biggest question facing Baltimore’s defense. The defensive tackle underwent neck surgery after his 2025 season ended prematurely and will open training camp on the active physically unable to perform list. The encouraging news is that independent spine and cervical specialists have cleared Madubuike to return. Baltimore is using the PUP designation to evaluate his conditioning and gradually reacclimate him to football activity. He could practice early in camp.

A healthy Madubuike changes the entire front. His interior pressure prevents quarterbacks from comfortably stepping into the pocket and creates favorable matchups for Baltimore’s edge rushers. The Ravens do not need him to take every practice rep immediately, but they need evidence that he can regain his previous form.

How quickly will the defensive line become whole?

Madubuike is not the only defensive lineman opening camp on PUP. Travis Jones and John Jenkins also begin the summer unavailable, leaving Baltimore temporarily thin inside. Calais Campbell gives the Ravens an accomplished option who can play multiple positions, but he is entering his 19th season at 39 years old. Baltimore should manage his workload rather than asking him to carry the front throughout camp.

Aeneas Peebles, Broderick Washington Jr., C.J. Okoye, Rayshaun Benny, David Olajiga, Aaron Graves and Dion Wilson Jr. will receive additional opportunities while the veterans are sidelined. Peebles and Benny are particularly intriguing because they could become important pieces of the rotation beyond training camp.

The Ravens have enough bodies. The question is how many can provide dependable snaps against starting offensive linemen.

How will Trey Hendrickson change the pass rush?

Hendrickson gives Baltimore the proven finisher it lacked last season. His presence should create better opportunities for Mike Green, Tavius Robinson and the rest of the edge rotation. The Ravens must determine how frequently Hendrickson plays and which young defender starts opposite him. Green flashed his pressure ability during his rookie season and continued to make plays during organized team activities. Robinson offers size and power, while Zion Young and Kaimon Rucker bring developmental upside.

Baltimore does not need a single player to dominate snaps opposite Hendrickson. Minter and Weaver can construct a rotation based on down, distance and matchup. Green appears to have the clearest path to becoming the primary complementary rusher, but his run defense and consistency will help determine the size of his role.

Adisa Isaac’s elbow injury complicates his opportunity. He begins camp on PUP after injuries limited his development during his first two seasons.

Who starts next to Roquan Smith?

Smith remains the unquestioned leader of the linebacker room. The position beside him is significantly less settled.

Teddye Buchanan appeared to be emerging as the favorite before suffering a torn ACL in Week 15 last season. He played 651 defensive snaps as a rookie but will open camp on PUP while continuing his recovery. That gives Trenton Simpson an important opportunity. Simpson played 407 defensive snaps and 236 special teams snaps last season. His speed and athletic ability have never been questioned, but he must demonstrate greater consistency in his reads, tackling, and coverage responsibilities.

Jay Higgins IV, Dominic DeLuca, Carl Jones Jr. and Reid Williford provide additional competition. The job should eventually come down to Buchanan and Simpson, but Buchanan’s recovery could make Simpson the Week 1 starter.

Is Chidobe Awuzie locked in as the third cornerback?

Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey sit atop the cornerback depth chart. Awuzie enters camp as the third established option after playing 557 defensive snaps last season. Awuzie can play outside when Humphrey moves into the slot, giving Baltimore flexibility in nickel packages. His experience makes him the logical favorite, but the Ravens need younger cornerbacks to establish themselves behind the veteran trio. T.J. Tampa possesses the size to develop into an outside option. Amani Oruwariye adds starting experience, while Chandler Rivers, Robert Longerbeam and Matthew McDoom will attempt to translate strong summers into roster spots.

Bilhal Kone’s knee injury removes another competitor from the early portion of camp. The former draft pick will begin on PUP and must reestablish himself once medically cleared.

How will Baltimore deploy Kyle Hamilton?

Hamilton may be listed as a safety, but a traditional depth chart cannot adequately explain his role. He can align deep, cover the slot, defend tight ends, pressure quarterbacks and play near the line of scrimmage. Malaki Starks’ development gives Minter greater freedom to move Hamilton. Starks is entering his second season after establishing himself as one of Baltimore’s most important young defenders. Jaylinn Hawkins provides another experienced safety who can handle deep-coverage responsibilities. That trio could spend significant time on the field together. If Starks and Hawkins consistently handle assignments on the back end, Hamilton can move around the formation and attack offenses from different locations.

Keondre Jackson, Jahquez Robinson and Silas Walters are competing for depth roles. Their special teams performances could become the determining factor.

Which reserves will earn roster spots through special teams?

The final defensive positions will not be awarded solely because of performance on defense. Backup linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties must contribute on coverage and return units. Tampa, Keondre Jackson and K’Von Wallace possess the size and tackling ability to handle core special teams assignments. Younger defensive backs such as Rivers, Longerbeam, Keyon Martin and Lardarius Webb Jr. must prove they can become dependable coverage players.

The same challenge applies to reserve linebackers. DeLuca, Higgins, Carl Jones and Williford may receive limited defensive opportunities, making special teams their clearest route to the roster. Baltimore’s defensive depth chart begins with established stars. Its eventual strength will depend on Madubuike’s recovery, the linebacker competition and the development of the players behind the starting secondary.

Those answers will not arrive during one practice. Training camp and the preseason will reveal whether the Ravens have assembled a complete defense or merely a talented starting lineup.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens' defensive depth chart questions fans should know