The Baltimore Ravens are expected to face major defensive line questions this offseason, with the interior front emerging as an area to monitor closely following a disappointing 8-9 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs. With Nnamdi Madubuike having suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 2 and a broader roster reset underway, Baltimore is widely viewed as a team that could look to the draft for answers in the trenches.
Ravens Linked to Peter Woods in Latest PFSN Mock Draft
That approach is reflected in PFSN’s latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, which projects the Ravens to select Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods in the first round. The projection pins the interior defensive line as a priority after Baltimore missed the playoffs and struggled to consistently control the line of scrimmage.
Madubuike’s season-ending injury adds another layer of urgency. The lack of proven depth behind him became increasingly apparent, especially as the defense regressed in pressure rate and run consistency over the second half of the season.
Woods fits the profile of a defender Baltimore has historically valued. PFSN describes him as an “explosive” interior lineman with “refined hands, a high motor, excellent agility for his position, and a high football IQ.” The Clemson standout has shown the ability to two-gap against the run while also generating interior disruption on passing downs, a combination that carries premium value in modern NFL defenses.
Significant financial constraints also shape the Ravens’ offseason. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is scheduled to carry a $74.5 million cap figure in 2026, limiting Baltimore’s flexibility in free agency and increasing the importance of adding cost-controlled starters through the draft.
Pass rush remains another concern, with Baltimore having no edge rusher with six or more sacks in 2025 and several veteran contributors set to hit free agency. While an edge defender remains firmly on the radar, the mock draft suggests the Ravens may prioritize stabilizing the interior defensive line first, particularly given Madubuike’s season-ending injury.
The Ravens ranked 18th in PFSN’s NFL Defense Impact Metric. Given the offense’s pillars in Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, and tight end Mark Andrews, Baltimore could focus on adding to a defense with fewer blue-chip players.
Of course, a new head coach will help make the Ravens’ draft picks this offseason for the first time in 18 years. Baltimore fired head coach John Harbaugh earlier this month but retained general manager Eric DeCosta.
