OTL: Under-the-Radar Linchpins for the 2025 Ravens

Football is a game that comes down to a combination of millions of tiny moments and split-second reactions from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. They shape the look of that possession, that game’s outcome, and sometimes, your season at large. On Sunday, we get to see the first of those moments begin to unfurl.

One week. Just one more week! #RavensFlock

— Lacie Litz DeCosta (@DeCostaLacie) August 31, 2025

Last year’s Ravens performed at a very high level, especially offensively, and had fans coming away with a lot of reasons to feel optimistic. Unfortunately, the end of the season was all too familiar, and, owing to a collection of mistakes in those tiny moments, left us feeling like there was unfinished business coming into this year (yet again).

While we saw a good number of departures from The Castle, there’s a general feeling that the Ravens are loaded for bear as one of the best rosters in the league, with a group that may even be better the one entering last year. Even so, the games aren’t played on paper, and the performances of their guys making their split-second decisions will determine how much they can deliver on that sky-high potential.

Today, I’m going to highlight a few guys (beyond the obvious LJ, Derrick Henry, etc.) whose decisions and ability to deliver in key situations could make a huge difference in the ultimate outcome of the season.

Guards

Ravens G Daniel Faalele and G Andrew Vorhees tied for the #1 pass-blocking grade on the team vs the Cowboys.

Together they allowed:
– 0 sacks
– 0 hits
– 0 pressures
– 0 hurries

Love to see it. pic.twitter.com/SU7I3wBxKy

— Ravens Nation ð™‡ð™„ð™‘𙀠(@LIVERavenNation) August 17, 2025

This one is a no-brainer if you’ve been following Ravens media for at least the last year, but the importance can’t possibly be overstated. Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele play thankless positions as Guards, and they’re going to hear about it any time they make a mistake, but there’s a ton of pressure on both to play to the level of this offense’s expectations.

If they can’t keep a relatively clean pocket for #8, especially if they give up QB hits and pressures, you run the risk of allowing Lamar Jackson to take punishment, which could have your season swinging in the balance. Faalele is under particular scrutiny due to how highly the coaches have spoken about him while the game film appears to show something different. A preseason rep in the Colts game that saw Faalele flat on his back against Tomi Adeboware raised alarm bells among the Flock, but maybe having the support of the starting tackles and one of the best centers in the league in Tyler Linderbaum will help things look a little cleaner.

Tavius & Travis

This entry is less about the players themselves and more about the expectations resting on them given what we’ve heard.

Big praise for Travis Jones today.

Ravens defensive line coach Dennis Johnson said he expects Jones to be the best player on the field whenever he’s out there.

Teammate Broderick Washington (below) said a healthy Jones will show people he’s the best nose tackle in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/364jOVIHnz

— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) August 19, 2025

When Chuck Smith called Tavius Robinson a “centerpiece” of the Ravens Defense, he hit the nail perfectly. Robinson (#95) is a 6-6, 260-lb. wrecking ball who destroys TE’s in the Run game and has the tools + range to generate Sacks in 2025.#Ravens #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/fGI2aNHh1o

— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) June 25, 2025

Travis Jones is entering a contract year and would love to prove himself worthy of the kind of money that fellow DT Nnamdi Madubuike fetched in his contract extension. Meanwhile, Tavius Robinson has been the subject of tons of praise from the coaching staff, particularly Chuck Smith, for his work ethic and approach to improving. Both guys have shown plenty of shine, but the pass rush was an area of weakness at times last season, and either one of these guys could be the piece that makes the difference in unlocking that imposing defensive front.

If they’re going to be the players we’ve heard so much about, now is the time.

Zach Orr

Ravens Pass Defense in the pre-season:
–QB’s were 53-of-101 Passing, for 522-yards
And just over 100-yards of that total came on two plays.
–Zero TD’s vs 5 INT’s —-
Zach Orr’s secondary has been razor sharp.#Ravens #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/O5j0393sja

— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) August 23, 2025

This one is cheating a little bit because we’re not talking about a player anymore, but there is going to be a ton of mounting expectation on Coach Orr, maybe even more than when he replaced Mike Mac as a first-year DC. The defense struggled out of the gate last year, but once they were able to get Kyle Hamilton into a more natural position, it was night and day after Week 11, with the defense producing some of the best numbers in the league from that point forward. The loss of Ar’Darius Washington as well as depth pieces like Beau Brade and Jalyn Armour-Davis may limit the kinds of looks you’d otherwise see ZO roll out in the secondary, but if there was ever a time for the defense to come out firing on all cylinders, this is it.

Make no mistake about it, there’s stress and pressure on these guys as they enter the year, but the best competitors view those expectations as opportunities to live up and show what they’re made of. Here’s hoping we all come away feeling much better about it this time next week.

The post OTL: Under-the-Radar Linchpins for the 2025 Ravens appeared first on Russell Street Report.

Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/09/02/out-to-lunch/otl-under-the-radar-linchpins-for-the-2025-ravens/