It’s not every day a 340-pound defensive tackle is kept a secret, but that’s exactly what Travis Jones has been for most of his Baltimore Ravens career.
Three seasons in, he’s been one of the most dependable pieces in Baltimore’s defensive front—and one of the least talked about. That changed when Matt Holder of Bleacher Report recently named Jones the Ravens’ “best-kept secret” heading into 2025 OTAs.
“Last year, he posted a 73.2 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus and had 30 total pressures during the regular season,” Holder wrote. “Especially with Michael Pierce retiring this offseason, expect Jones to stand out more on the Ravens’ defense this fall.”
That’s a fair expectation. With Pierce officially walking away and Baltimore shifting toward a younger defensive line rotation, Jones is stepping into a larger role at a critical point in his career, with a chance to define his value moving forward. And with a contract year looming, the timing couldn’t be better.
Travis Jones is ready for his shot (and the workload that comes with it)
Jones has quietly done the dirty work since arriving as a third-round pick out of UConn. He eats up space. He takes on double teams. He lets the linebackers run free. That kind of interior presence doesn’t always show up in the box score, but in Baltimore’s scheme, it’s essential. Now, it’ll have to be foundational.
Pierce’s retirement leaves a void both in snaps and leadership. The Ravens know what they’re losing in him—an immovable object and a veteran presence who helped stabilize the trenches. Jones is next in line. And while his own resume doesn’t scream “household name,” the film tells a different story.
In 2024, he logged a career-high 42 tackles and steadily increased his snap share. He also showed improved quickness off the ball and better hand usage, leading to more consistent interior pressure. The upside is still very much untapped, but the trajectory is heading the right way.
This is also a player entering a contract year on a rookie deal worth just over $5 million in total. If he levels up this season—especially as a pass rusher—he could be looking at a massive payday Baltimore may not be able to match. The going rate for disruptive, versatile interior defenders isn’t getting any cheaper. Jones has a real chance to play his way into the $15-20 million per year conversation.
But first comes the proving ground. The chance to take on a starting role, anchor the league’s best run defense, and show he’s more than just a quietly effective piece. The secret might be out—but Jones still has plenty to say.
