Ravens All-Pro Poised to Lead 'Cornerstone' Defense in 2025

The Baltimore Ravens had one of the NFL's best defensive lines last year, and Nnamdi Madubuike was a big reason why.

Last offseason, the interior lineman signed a new four-year, $98 million contract after an All-Pro season in 2023 where he tallied 13 sacks - the top mark in the league among defensive tackles.

Madubuike settled for just 6.5 sacks this past season, but that was due largely to him facing multiple double teams each game. Still, he and the Ravens' D-line allowed just 80.1 rushing yards per game (least in the NFL) and had the second most team sacks with 54.

Heading into training camp ahead of the 2025 season, Madubuike believes the Baltimore front can be even more dominant than last season. He acknowledged the team's 0-2 start and how it took a while before things got rolling. He's hoping to change that with a focused mentality that sticks true to the brand.

"Just being ourselves, playing Raven football," Madubuike said about the team's mission heading into a new season. "The cornerstone of our whole team is on defensive play and I know we take pride in stopping the run and stopping passes and stuff like that. So, that's what the emphasis is on at camp."

Entering his sixth year in Baltimore, Madubuike finds himself as the top dog within the defensive line room. He was frustrated by the amount of double teams he faced in 2024, but a sign of a true leader is his willingness to help set up his teammates to impact the game.

But that dog is still inside him, and it's going to do everything possible to get unleashed.

"Obviously, production is for everybody but just being really a tenacious force. That's how I see myself as a player," Madubuike said. "When you're a good player, people are going to scheme against you and try to stop you. It's going to free up other guys, but you still want to play, you still want to ball, you still want to eat. So, you just have to find ways to beat the slides and watch even more film and just study specific opponents."

One area where Madubuike is improving is in the gym. He aims to put on more muscle and target a playing weight of around 290-300 pounds - about a ten-pound increase from last year. "Those little things even add a difference," Madubuike said.

This motivation to improve is beginning to influence the rest of the Ravens' linemen. After his breakout season, Madubuike grew into a strong leader in the Baltimore locker room and that has carried over after the recent departures of veterans Michael Pierce and Brent Urban.

"I saw myself as a leader last year," Madubuike said. "I was breaking the team down before games and getting everybody ready to go. Mike and 'Urb' were great vets for us and were leaders.

"I'm passing it down as well, because those are things that implemented me to be the best that I can be. That's what training camp is about."