Mel Kiper Jr. Dissects Ravens Pass Rushers and Identifies His Favorite

As the NFL Draft looms large and rosters across the league undergo critical evaluation, ESPN’s veteran draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has once again turned his gaze toward one of the most intriguing defenses in football: the Baltimore Ravens. With the 2025 season rapidly approaching, Kiper offered an in-depth analysis of the Ravens’ pass rushers—both veterans and emerging talents—and revealed the one player he believes could take the leap into stardom.

Kiper’s breakdown wasn’t just surface-level commentary; it was a detailed inspection of technique, consistency, versatility, and upside. Baltimore’s defense, long known for its aggressive, unpredictable blitz packages and edge dominance, is entering a new phase. With veterans aging, coordinators shifting, and young players needing to make the leap, the Ravens’ pass rush group has become one of the most fascinating positional units in the league.

A Legacy of Pressure

“The Ravens don’t just rush the passer,” Kiper noted in a recent ESPN segment. “They bring relentless chaos. That’s been their DNA since the days of Peter Boulware and Terrell Suggs. The current group has a chance to carve its own identity, but there are question marks.”

Baltimore finished top-5 in the NFL in sacks last season, thanks in part to defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s creative pressure schemes. But with Macdonald now the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, the onus is on new defensive play-caller Zach Orr to sustain the production.

“Losing Macdonald was huge. He maximized the front seven’s potential,” Kiper said. “Now it’s time to see if the raw talent—especially on the edge—can thrive with a new voice.”

The Key Names in the Spotlight

Kiper’s analysis honed in on four primary edge defenders expected to contribute heavily in 2025:

1. Odafe Oweh
2. David Ojabo
3. Tavius Robinson
4. Adisa Isaac (Rookie)

Let’s break down each player as Kiper did.

Odafe Oweh: The Athletic Marvel With Inconsistent Production

A 2021 first-round pick, Odafe Oweh’s athletic upside is undeniable. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 257 pounds with elite burst off the line, Oweh has all the physical tools NFL scouts drool over. But his development has been frustratingly uneven.

“Odafe flashes Pro Bowl-caliber traits,” Kiper explained. “But it’s the consistency—both in his get-off and finishing ability—that leaves you wanting more.”

Last season, Oweh recorded 7 sacks in 13 games and improved his pass-rush win rate to 16.4%, according to Pro Football Focus. However, he still disappears for stretches and struggles to string together dominant performances.

“Can he finally put together a full season?” Kiper asked. “He’s entering a contract year. That tends to motivate players, and with his tools, double-digit sacks isn’t far-fetched.”

David Ojabo: The Great Unknown

Perhaps the most polarizing player in the Ravens’ pass rush room is David Ojabo, a former Michigan standout and college teammate of Aidan Hutchinson. Once considered a surefire first-round pick, Ojabo’s torn Achilles at his Pro Day in 2022 sent him plummeting into the second round.

“He’s a total wild card,” Kiper said. “If healthy and used right, he can be the steal of that draft class. But that’s still a big ‘if.’”

Ojabo has played in just six games over his first two seasons, registering 1 sack and 3 total tackles. Injuries have completely derailed his development, though the Ravens insist his explosiveness and bend are returning in training camp practices.

“He might have the best pure speed-rush ability of any Ravens edge,” Kiper noted. “But we haven’t seen enough. He’s like a mystery box—could be a star, could be gone in two years.”

Tavius Robinson: The Canadian Power Rusher

A 2023 fourth-round pick from Ole Miss via Canada, Tavius Robinson surprised many by carving out a rotational role as a rookie. He registered 3.5 sacks and 22 pressures while playing just over 30% of defensive snaps.

“He’s the kind of player the Ravens always find late in the draft,” Kiper said. “Big, rugged, high-motor. Doesn’t blow you away, but just keeps producing.”

Robinson’s 6-foot-6, 265-pound frame gives him the ability to set the edge and bull rush with authority, but he lacks the twitch that elite pass rushers typically possess.

“His upside is probably as a solid rotational guy,” Kiper suggested. “But that has value, especially in a physical division like the AFC North.”

Adisa Isaac: The Rookie With the Highest Ceiling

Baltimore’s fourth-round pick in 2025, Adisa Isaac out of Penn State was, according to Kiper, “an absolute steal.” The former Nittany Lion posted 7.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in his final collegiate season and earned All-Big Ten honors.

“I had him as a late second-round grade,” Kiper said. “Getting him in the fourth is robbery. He’s got an explosive first step, good hand usage, and he plays the run better than most rookies.”

Isaac’s versatility—having played both traditional defensive end and stand-up linebacker roles—gives the Ravens a chess piece they can move around, much like they did with Za’Darius Smith early in his career.

“He’s got the tools and the temperament,” Kiper continued. “And he’s coming into a locker room where development is the standard, not the exception.”

Kiper’s Favorite: Odafe Oweh

While Kiper had glowing words for Adisa Isaac’s long-term potential and acknowledged the unknown upside of David Ojabo, he made it clear that his current favorite pass rusher in Baltimore is Odafe Oweh.

“He’s the guy,” Kiper said. “If he puts it all together this year—and I think he will—he can be the face of that front seven.”

Kiper believes that Oweh’s rare combination of length, speed, and improved technique will finally converge in 2025, especially with the Ravens needing someone to step up in the absence of veteran edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who left in free agency.

“This is it. The Ravens have invested in him, stuck with him, and now it’s time for the return. I believe Oweh is going to give them that return and more.”

What About Free Agency?

Kiper also commented on the possibility of Baltimore adding a veteran edge rusher—perhaps someone like Yannick Ngakoue or Emmanuel Ogbah—after the draft.

“They love developing their guys, but there’s a scenario where they bring in a vet as insurance,” he said. “Especially if Ojabo doesn’t progress in OTAs. But don’t expect a splash—this team has always trusted their scouting and coaching.”

Ravens’ Identity at a Crossroads

Kiper concluded his breakdown by emphasizing the changing nature of the Ravens’ defense. With Roquan Smith at inside linebacker and Kyle Hamilton anchoring the secondary, the pass rush has to rise to meet the level of Baltimore’s other units.

“You can’t have an elite defense in today’s NFL without pressure,” Kiper said. “And the Ravens know that. This group might not have a Terrell Suggs right now, but they have the makings of something special—if the pieces fall into place.”

A Room With Boom or Bust Potential

As the 2025 season nears, Baltimore’s pass rush remains both a point of intrigue and potential vulnerability. Mel Kiper Jr.’s analysis reflects the duality of that situation. There’s undeniable talent, but questions about durability, development, and leadership remain.

Odafe Oweh is Kiper’s pick to shine, David Ojabo remains a mystery, Tavius Robinson is a steady depth piece, and Adisa Isaac might be the future.

For now, Ravens fans are hoping the franchise’s legacy of dominant edge rushers continues. And if Kiper is right, Oweh could finally deliver the breakout campaign Baltimore has been waiting for since 2021.