Baltimore, MD – July 5, 2025
In Baltimore, front office patience isn’t a weakness — it’s a weapon. Year after year, the Ravens wait out the market, strike late, and somehow walk away with steals. From Kyle Van Noy to Jadeveon Clowney, Baltimore has turned overlooked veterans into weapons of war. And now, as training camp looms, there’s another name rising above the noise — one that may be too perfect to ignore.
He’s not flashy on Instagram. He’s not trending on TikTok. But he’s chaos in shoulder pads. And if the Ravens want to unleash true mayhem off the edge, it’s time to make the call.
Za’Darius Smith still has it — all of it. Nine sacks split between the Browns and Lions last season. A Pro Football Focus grade of 74.7, ranking him 33rd among over 200 edge defenders. But those are just the surface numbers. What really separates Smith is what can’t be scripted.
According to new data from PFF’s Ben Linsey, Smith posted an entropy score of 4.66, the fifth-highest among all defensive linemen in the NFL. In simple terms? He’s wildly unpredictable — a nightmare for offensive coordinators, and a dream for a team like Baltimore that thrives on versatility.
The Ravens love defenders who don’t need labels. Players who line up at one-tech, then crash the edge the next snap. It’s been the core of John Harbaugh’s identity for over a decade. And with nose tackle Michael Pierce retiring and no current Raven cracking the league’s top 20 in versatility, Smith fits like a custom glove.
Even at 32, Smith brings a mix of speed and interior strength that this defense desperately needs. Pairing him with Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, and rookie Mike Green gives Baltimore a terrifying rotation — one deep enough to survive injuries, young enough to evolve, and experienced enough to dominate right now.
If David Ojabo or Adisa Isaac can’t take the next step this summer, there’s no time for guesswork. The Ravens are too close. The Super Bowl window is open.
And Za’Darius Smith may be the final piece to slam it shut on the AFC.
Stay tuned to ESPN for the latest on Baltimore’s next defensive chess move.
