Newcomer Studying Ravens ‘Great’ for Breakout Season

Among the potential breakout candidates for the Baltimore Ravens in 2025, the most surprising name is newcomer John Jenkins, a 13-year veteran who’s studying a former Raven “great” for a role he believes perfectly fits his skill-set.

Jenkins, signed in free agency this year after two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, told Raven.com Editorial Director Ryan Mink, “The Ravens have a similar background to what I’m used to, where I feel like I could dominate in. I’m a nose tackle, so there ain’t too many get-off-the-rock defenses I can thrive in.”

It’s a frank assessment of what he can and can’t do, but Jenkins playing as a classic nose guard needn’t limit him. There were no limitations for the man he’s replacing, retired Michael Pierce, who Jenkins considers a “great player.”

Mink detailed how “even though Pierce’s snap count dropped from 55% to 32% last season, he was still a major part of that equation and somebody that Jenkins emulates. Jenkins remembers studying Pierce on tape alongside his Las Vegas Raiders teammates last season.”

Jenkins’ ability to fill a niche role the Ravens still value more than most teams in the NFL can inspire the best season of the soon-to-be 36-year-old’s lengthy career.

13-Year Veteran Due Breakout Season

The chances of Jenkins enjoying a breakout campaign are boosted by what Ravens Wire writer Geoffrey A. Knox calls joining a team that “allows him the best opportunity he has had in a while (if ever) to utilize every tool in his toolbelt.”

Those tools include Jenkins’ status as “a space-eater who will allow his teammates to make some plays and, in the process, make a few of his own.” Jenkins made a play of his own by controlling his gap, shedding a blocker and getting downhill to stuff this run against the New York Giants in 2023, highlighted by Aaron Day of DLineVids.

It was one of many plays Jenkins made while starting every game in two years with the Silver and Black. Now he’s going to have to get used to less snaps to find his comfort level in Baltimore.

As Mink put it, Jenkins’ 2023 season took in “a career high in snaps played (594) and tackles (61). Then he topped that with 609 snaps last season, more than any Ravens defensive lineman except Nnamdi Madubuike.”

Pierce didn’t come close to those numbers last season, notching just 231 snaps, per Pro Football Reference. He wasn’t on the field as often, but the 6-foot, 355-pounder was still a key cog in the NFL’s stingiest run defense.

Choosing Pierce to study is a smart first way for Jenkins to begin his career with the Ravens.

Ravens Will Struggle to Replace Versatile Michael Pierce

Keeping their strength up front is key for the Ravens after they surrendered a mere 3.6 yards per rushing attempt last season. Pierce was a big reason for the success as an immovable force who clogged the middle of the line.

He provided a textbook example of the value of a big man in the middle by disrupting this running play by the Giants in Week 15, highlighted by Cole Jackson.

Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr can expect something similar from Jenkins. He’s a 6-foot-3, 327-pounder who knows how to use his mass to control double teams and reset the line of scrimmage.

What Jenkins can’t do as well is play in space the way Pierce often did when the Ravens got creative rushing the passer. Dropping the hefty 0-technique into space was a favorite ploy of former coordinator Mike Macdonald when simulating pressure, per Ted Nguyen of The Athletic.

Pierce had to learn how to drop to the right depth and take proper angles in coverage, but it wasn’t the only way he helped Baltimore’s defense in passing situations. Sliding out to the edge and rushing from the outside was also a key part of Pierce’s remit.

It worked beautifully when No. 58 crashed the edge against the Houston Texans on Christmas Day to create a sack highlighted by Doug Farrar of Athlon Sports.

Jenkins probably won’t emulate these things, but more active tackles Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington can. They will free Travis Jones to make the coverage drops Pierce once made, leaving Jenkins to focus solely on what he does best, repelling the run on early downs and in short-yardage work.