The Baltimore Ravens have addressed their need for a powerful, run-stopping nose tackle by signing veteran John Jenkins on Monday. This move aims to enhance their defensive front ahead of the 2024 NFL season, adding valuable depth following Michael Pierce‘s official retirement after June 1.
Longtime NFL Player Brings Experience and Consistency
At 35 years old, Jenkins is preparing for his 13th NFL season and will suit up for his seventh team. The 6-foot-3, 327-pound defensive lineman spent the last two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he started every game. In his recent seasons, Jenkins posted career-high tackle numbers, tallying 61 in 2023 and following with 46 tackles the previous year, along with one sack each season.
The Raiders ranked 13th in the league for run defense last year, allowing 116.9 rushing yards per game, highlighting Jenkins’s role in a solid defensive effort. His ability to anchor the line as a “block eater” will be a key asset for the Ravens’ top-ranked run defense.
Strategic Addition Complements Ravens’ Defensive Scheme
The Ravens had the NFL’s best run defense in the past season, allowing just 80.1 rushing yards per game, but they sought a strong run-stopper after the draft did not produce a suitable replacement. While rookie defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles offers more agility at 6-foot, 282 pounds, Jenkins will fulfill the role of a space-eating nose tackle.
Jenkins played over 600 defensive snaps last season with the Raiders, demonstrating his durability. In Baltimore, he is expected to share playing time with starters like Travis Jones, along with teammates Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington, reducing his snap count but increasing the defensive line’s overall strength.
Veteran Presence Expected to Make Impact Despite Age
Though Jenkins is three years older than the recently retired Pierce, he has proven he remains effective on the field. The Ravens have a history of successfully integrating veteran players in their 30s who continue to contribute at a high level. Originally drafted in the third round out of Georgia in 2013, Jenkins entered free agency this season but waited to sign until after the draft to preserve the Ravens’ compensatory picks for 2026.