The Baltimore Ravens may find a replacement for Michael Pierce soon.
When Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce announced his retirement from the NFL on March 12, 2025, the decision came with a mixture of respect and concern. While Pierce’s choice to walk away from the game after eight impactful seasons was understood and admired, it also left a gaping hole in the heart of one of the NFL’s top defensive units.
Baltimore has long prided itself on defense, and a reliable nose tackle is essential for maintaining control in the trenches. The retirement of a key player like Pierce, who was instrumental in clogging running lanes and absorbing double teams, puts immediate pressure on the Ravens’ front office to respond. Whether through internal development, free agency, or the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, Baltimore is already on the clock to find a solution.
The Michael Pierce Legacy
Michael Pierce went undrafted in 2016 but quickly carved out a role with the Ravens. With his low center of gravity, powerful base, and 340-pound frame, Pierce became an anchor in Baltimore’s 3-4 defensive scheme. Over 70 career games with the Ravens, he totaled 244 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and countless pressures that never showed up on the stat sheet but disrupted offensive game plans.
Pierce’s performance during the 2024 season was a quiet masterclass in positional discipline and physicality. Baltimore’s defense finished top-five in rushing yards allowed per game (just 91.7), and Pierce was central to that success. His retirement, though not shocking given his recent string of injuries and time away from the game, means the Ravens must now move decisively.
Internal Candidate: Travis Jones
Perhaps the most natural option to replace Pierce is third-year defensive tackle Travis Jones. Drafted in the third round out of UConn in 2022, Jones was always seen as a developmental prospect with elite potential. Now, the opportunity to become a full-time starter has arrived.
In 2024, Jones quietly became a key rotational piece. He logged 39 tackles, 2 sacks, and a whopping 95.5% tackle efficiency, per Pro Football Focus. He showed particular promise in Week 15 against the Houston Texans, recording five pressures and several run stops in one of the best individual performances by a Ravens interior lineman that season.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 355 pounds, Jones possesses similar size to Pierce but with slightly more explosiveness. Coaches have praised his footwork and growing understanding of gap responsibilities. The coaching staff believes that with more reps and film work, Jones can not only fill Pierce’s shoes—but potentially exceed them.
Veteran Options in Free Agency
While Travis Jones is likely the frontrunner internally, Baltimore may opt to pair him with a veteran to ease the transition or rotate in obvious running situations. There are a few free agents who fit Baltimore’s defensive identity and could be signed on short-term deals.
1. Linval Joseph
The 35-year-old Joseph may be nearing the end of his career, but he brings two things the Ravens love: physicality and experience. Having played for multiple playoff contenders, including the Eagles and Bills, Joseph understands big-game pressure and the mental discipline required at the nose tackle position.
Joseph’s 2024 campaign saw him log 21 tackles in 12 games, along with a solid 80.6 PFF run defense grade. He’d offer stability and a mentor-like presence for the younger players like Jones and Broderick Washington.
2. Jonathan Hankins
Hankins, who played all 17 games for the Seattle Seahawks in 2024, remains one of the more underappreciated run-stuffers in the league. With 30 total tackles and a presence that allowed linebackers to roam free, Hankins could bring a seamless transition to Baltimore’s defensive front.
A one-year, incentive-laden deal could be enticing for both sides, especially given Hankins’ durable track record and proven production.
3. Calais Campbell
The familiar name that Ravens fans are watching closely is Calais Campbell. Though he primarily played as a 3-technique in his most recent seasons, Campbell has played every position along the line. At age 39, Campbell is considering a return, with reported interest from the Ravens, Dolphins, and possibly retirement.
If Baltimore can convince Campbell to re-sign, even in a rotational role, it would be a massive win. His leadership, locker room presence, and film study habits would accelerate the development of Travis Jones and any rookie added to the mix.
NFL Draft: An Opportunity to Reload
With 11 total draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, Baltimore has plenty of ammo to address the defensive line. Even if Jones is the long-term answer, depth is crucial, especially when facing run-heavy teams like the Steelers, Titans, and Browns.
1. Kenneth Grant – Michigan
Projected as a late first- or early second-round pick, Kenneth Grant might be a dream fit in Baltimore. At 6-foot-3 and 340 pounds, Grant is a rare blend of mass and mobility. His tape from Michigan shows him routinely overwhelming centers and guards with his bull rush and short-area quickness.
He tallied 48 tackles, 4 sacks, and 9 tackles for loss in 2024. Scouts praise his gap discipline and ability to disrupt both zone and power running schemes. If Grant slips into the Ravens’ range, expect serious interest.
2. Warren Brinson – Georgia
Brinson may not be a household name, but he has serious tools. In his final year with Georgia, Brinson posted 26 tackles and 2 sacks while splitting reps with fellow NFL-caliber defenders. His power and leverage pop on tape, and the Ravens have a strong history of drafting SEC linemen.
Brinson could be a Day 2 steal for Baltimore, offering immediate rotation value and long-term upside.
3. Yahya Black – Iowa
At 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, Yahya Black brings a longer frame than traditional nose tackles, but he’s incredibly disruptive. In 2024, he registered 34 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 pass deflections, often anchoring Iowa’s defensive front against Big Ten competition.
While he may project as more of a 3-4 defensive end, his frame allows for inside-out versatility—something the Ravens covet in their hybrid fronts.
The Strategic Approach: “Layered Depth”
General Manager Eric DeCosta and Head Coach John Harbaugh are known for building rosters with layered depth. In past offseasons, they’ve blended youth with experience to avoid over-reliance on one player. That mindset will likely shape their response to Michael Pierce’s departure.
In this scenario, we could see the Ravens:
- Promote Travis Jones to starter.
- Sign a veteran like Linval Joseph or Hankins to ease the load.
- Draft a high-upside tackle like Kenneth Grant or Warren Brinson to develop long term.
Such a three-pronged approach would echo what the Ravens did after Brandon Williams’ departure years ago—building depth without creating future holes.
The Hidden Factor: Roquan Smith and the Linebackers
One often overlooked aspect of the nose tackle discussion is how it affects the Ravens’ linebacker corps. With Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen—or potentially Trenton Simpson if Queen departs in free agency—the middle of the defense relies on clean sightlines and unimpeded access to the ball.
Michael Pierce made their lives easier by absorbing double-teams and collapsing run lanes. If the replacement can’t hold up in that role, the linebackers suffer, and the defense loses its teeth.
This is why the Ravens’ decision here isn’t just about finding a body—it’s about identifying a player who fits Baltimore’s core philosophy: control the line, stop the run, earn the right to rush the passer.
Harbaugh’s Comments and Team Confidence
During the Ravens’ annual league meeting, Coach Harbaugh addressed Pierce’s retirement and the team’s next steps.
“Michael was a warrior for us. He brought everything he had every Sunday. We’ve got guys in that room ready to step up, and we trust our scouting process to find the next guy,” said Harbaugh.
It’s a sentiment echoed by veteran lineman Justin Madubuike, who recently signed a contract extension.
“Travis Jones is a monster. Y’all saw flashes last year. I see it every day in practice. He’s ready,” said Madubuike in a recent media scrum.
Those inside the building seem confident—but actions in free agency and the draft will ultimately determine whether that confidence holds.
Replacing Pierce Is More Than Plug-and-Play
Michael Pierce’s retirement is significant—not just because of his play on the field, but also because of his leadership off of it. He was a tone-setter in the locker room and someone young linemen looked up to. His shoes won’t be filled easily, but in Baltimore, the expectation is always to reload, not rebuild.
Whether the answer lies in Travis Jones, a veteran signing, or a Day 1 or Day 2 draft pick, the Ravens have options. And with a track record of developing elite defenders, there’s reason to believe they’ll find the right one.
As Baltimore prepares for training camp and the 2025 season, one thing is clear: the Ravens’ defensive line is about to undergo a new era—one shaped by youth, competition, and a whole lot of pressure to live up to a proud legacy.
