This undrafted wrestler might be Ravens’ next man up in the trenches

It’s no secret the Baltimore Ravens are heading into a potential crossroads with fourth-year defensive tackle Travis Jones. After a quietly dominant three seasons anchoring the interior, Jones is due for a payday in 2026—and if his growth continues, it might be one the Ravens can’t afford.

Baltimore already made its financial priorities clear: Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum are the cornerstones, and both are due massive extensions. That’s what happens when you draft well. But those decisions come at a cost, and it’s why a player like Jones—arguably one of the best young run defenders in football—is caught in a contract squeeze. It’s a classic Ravens dilemma: develop, dominate, and potentially depart.

And it’s why Nash Hutmacher could matter more than anyone expected.

Nash Hutmacher enters Baltimore's UDFA ring

Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report highlighted Hutmacher as the Ravens’ most likely undrafted free agent to make the roster, and it’s not hard to see why. With Michael Pierce retired and Jones on a ticking contract clock, the need for long-term depth at nose tackle has never been greater.

“Coaches love former wrestlers because they understand leverage, torque and hand placement,” Sobleski wrote. “Hutmacher could realistically replace Ravens nose tackle Travis Jones, who is a free agent after this season.”

That wrestling background isn’t just a fun fact—it’s a functional skillset. Hutmacher was 166-0 in high school wrestling, with 73 straight wins by first-period pin. That understanding of body control and brute strength shows up on tape. He’s not flashy, but he’s violent at the point of attack, eats space, and fights through doubles the way coaches dream about.

The Ravens don’t need him to be a star. They just need someone who can play like one in a pinch. Aeneas Peebles, drafted in the sixth round, profiles more as a one-gap disruptor. Hutmacher, on the other hand, is the kind of nose tackle who fits right into Baltimore’s "ugly football" trench mentality.

If Jones levels up again, it’ll be nearly impossible to keep him. He's already teetering on a hefty price tag. That makes Hutmacher a sneaky-important insurance policy—a longshot with the skill set to earn a real rotational role.

And if the Ravens end up needing him? You better believe this brawler’s ready to hit the mat for the opportunity.