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The Baltimore Ravens have a new defensive playcaller: Jesse Minter, who will bring his aggressive defensive philosophy to the team. Former franchise edge rusher Anthony Weaver will serve as the defensive coordinator.
During Minter's time at Michigan, his unit achieved remarkable success, ranking as the top defense in the country in 2023. They allowed an average of just 247.0 total net yards per game, leading them to a College Football Playoff National Championship. Over his two seasons as defensive coordinator, Minter's defense ranked second in the nation, allowing an average of 268.8 yards per game.
In his first season with the Chargers in 2024, Minter transformed a struggling defense into one of the best in the league, allowing the fewest points and the seventh-fewest passing yards per game. Last season, the Chargers became only the sixth team in history to give up 20 points or fewer in eight road games. Building on the success, the Chargers finished the season ranked fifth in the league for defense. They held opponents to 20 points or fewer ten times during the season and tied for third in the league with 19 interceptions. Last season, the Chargers became the sixth team to give up 20 or fewer points in eight road games. As an encore to landing the Ravens job, the Chargers finished the season ranked 5th in the league in defense. The Chargers held opponents to 20 points or fewer ten times down the stretch, tied for third in interceptions with 19.
With the offseason set to begin, we're looking at Minter's new defense in Baltimore compared to the high-powered unit he left behind in Los Angeles.
Last season, Baltimore finished 24th in total defense, 30th in passing defense, 18th in scoring defense, 30th in total sacks, 18th in total turnovers, and 22nd in turnover differential. The 30 sacks were only three more than the franchise record for fewest in a single season (27 in 16 games in 2010). The Ravens were tied for 30th in sacks and 29th in pressure rate.
Teair Tart logged a Pro Football Focus run defense grade of 70.3 in 2024, good for 13th among all interior defensive linemen with at least 160 plays against the run. Justin Eboigbe had 27 tackles and six sacks.
Travis Jones wrapped his 2025 season with a 79.2 PFF overall grade, the second-highest mark on the defense, behind only All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. With Nnamdi Madbuike out, John Jenkins parlayed his production into a contract extension. Dre'Mont Jones led all Baltimore defenders in pressures (47), sacks (five), and PFF run-defense grade (81.1). Jones arrived in Baltimore with 26 tackles, including five tackles for loss this season, and came with the idea that he'd flourish with the athletic Ravens front. Fast forward five weeks, and Jones had five QB hits in the Ravens' 24-0 win over the Bengals on Sunday, and his presence has been felt in multiple categories. Before Sunday's matchup with Cincinnati, Jones generated 14 pressures on 140 pass rushes over five games since joining the Ravens at the trade deadline, according to Next Gen Stats via the Ravens' official website, which is tied for the most among all Ravens defenders in that span.
Last season under Minter, the Los Angeles Chargers had four players with at least five sacks: Tuli Tuipulotu (13.5), Odafe Oweh (7.5), Justin Eboigbe (6), and Khalil Mack (5.5). Baltimore wants an improved pass rush, and Minter's defense will pressure the quarterback.
Baltimore's 30 sacks were only three more than the franchise record for fewest in a single season (27 in 16 games in 2010). The Ravens were tied for 30th in sacks and 29th in pressure rate. Van Noy, 34, just finished his third season in Baltimore and dropped from 12.5 sacks in 2024 to two in 2025. Mike Green didn't record his first sack until Week 8 and finished with 3.5, the third-most on the team, and his 14 quarterback hits were the second-most. Still, Green logged a fumble recovery, 19 pressures, 10 knockdowns, and five hurries. Entering this season, Tavius Robinson was considered a key component of the Ravens' defense and registered two sacks in his first four games before breaking a foot. Robinson has built a reputation as a dependable run stopper and will enter this offseason looking to secure a new deal.
For the Chargers, Daiyan Henley has become a tackling machine and leader of this group, and was a captain in 2025. And while Troy Dye and Junior Colson are under contract in 2026, Denzel Perryman and Del'Shawn Phillips will both be unrestricted free agents.
Teddye Buchanan ranked fourth among rookie linebackers in PFF grade at 58.4. Roquan Smith just finished a season where he earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod. Smith's team-high 130 tackles (74 solo) ranked 15th in the NFL and 7th in the AFC. He added five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, three passes defensed, and one fumble recovery. Simpson logged a career-high 2.5 sacks and recorded 66 total tackles (34 solo), including 2.5 sacks, and one pass defensed in 17 regular-season games in 2025. and finished with seven fewer total tackles than in 2024, while playing 213 fewer defensive snaps.
Cam Hart led the Chargers with 11 passes defended.
Humphrey had the biggest regression, going from an All-Pro season in 2024 to one of the lowest graded players at his position. Down the stretch, the Ravens defense allowed 300+ yard performances to New England's Drake Maye, Green Bay's Malik Willis, and the Steelers' Aaron Rodgers — twice. In the season finale with DK Metcalf serving a suspension, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers still lit Baltimore up, going 31-for-47 for 294 yards and a touchdown in a must-win scenario.
Malaki Starks played the most snaps, with 1065. Starks led the team's rookie class in WAR at 0.099, and he led the team's rookie class in PFF grade at 68.9. Starks, a 2025 first-round pick from Georgia, started 15 of the 17 games he appeared in this season, logging 1,060 defensive snaps (11th), 84 total tackles (49 solo) and four passes defensed, including two interceptions. Starks finished his rookie season with the third-most interceptions and the fourth-most total tackles on the Ravens' defense. Hamilton logged 96 tackles, eight passes defensed, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one sack. His ability to be a Swiss army knife is what makes him so valuable. At one point late in the season, Hamilton had played 241 snaps at slot cornerback, 215 snaps at high safety, 200 snaps at outside linebacker, 139 snaps as an edge rusher, 55 snaps at middle linebacker, 38 snaps aligned as a defensive tackle, and 33 snaps at outside cornerback. Alohi Gilman was sixth on the team in tackles with 68, six passes defended, and one tackle for loss.
For the Chargers, Tony Jefferson had 57 tackles, seven passes defended, and four interceptions. Derwin James earned a pair of Second-Team All-Pro honors under Minter, including one in 2024 when Chris O'Leary was his position coach.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: How does Ravens defensive talent compare to the Los Angeles Chargers?
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During Minter's time at Michigan, his unit achieved remarkable success, ranking as the top defense in the country in 2023. They allowed an average of just 247.0 total net yards per game, leading them to a College Football Playoff National Championship. Over his two seasons as defensive coordinator, Minter's defense ranked second in the nation, allowing an average of 268.8 yards per game.
In his first season with the Chargers in 2024, Minter transformed a struggling defense into one of the best in the league, allowing the fewest points and the seventh-fewest passing yards per game. Last season, the Chargers became only the sixth team in history to give up 20 points or fewer in eight road games. Building on the success, the Chargers finished the season ranked fifth in the league for defense. They held opponents to 20 points or fewer ten times during the season and tied for third in the league with 19 interceptions. Last season, the Chargers became the sixth team to give up 20 or fewer points in eight road games. As an encore to landing the Ravens job, the Chargers finished the season ranked 5th in the league in defense. The Chargers held opponents to 20 points or fewer ten times down the stretch, tied for third in interceptions with 19.
With the offseason set to begin, we're looking at Minter's new defense in Baltimore compared to the high-powered unit he left behind in Los Angeles.
Ravens defense
Last season, Baltimore finished 24th in total defense, 30th in passing defense, 18th in scoring defense, 30th in total sacks, 18th in total turnovers, and 22nd in turnover differential. The 30 sacks were only three more than the franchise record for fewest in a single season (27 in 16 games in 2010). The Ravens were tied for 30th in sacks and 29th in pressure rate.
DL
Teair Tart logged a Pro Football Focus run defense grade of 70.3 in 2024, good for 13th among all interior defensive linemen with at least 160 plays against the run. Justin Eboigbe had 27 tackles and six sacks.
Travis Jones wrapped his 2025 season with a 79.2 PFF overall grade, the second-highest mark on the defense, behind only All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. With Nnamdi Madbuike out, John Jenkins parlayed his production into a contract extension. Dre'Mont Jones led all Baltimore defenders in pressures (47), sacks (five), and PFF run-defense grade (81.1). Jones arrived in Baltimore with 26 tackles, including five tackles for loss this season, and came with the idea that he'd flourish with the athletic Ravens front. Fast forward five weeks, and Jones had five QB hits in the Ravens' 24-0 win over the Bengals on Sunday, and his presence has been felt in multiple categories. Before Sunday's matchup with Cincinnati, Jones generated 14 pressures on 140 pass rushes over five games since joining the Ravens at the trade deadline, according to Next Gen Stats via the Ravens' official website, which is tied for the most among all Ravens defenders in that span.
Edge Rusher
Last season under Minter, the Los Angeles Chargers had four players with at least five sacks: Tuli Tuipulotu (13.5), Odafe Oweh (7.5), Justin Eboigbe (6), and Khalil Mack (5.5). Baltimore wants an improved pass rush, and Minter's defense will pressure the quarterback.
Baltimore's 30 sacks were only three more than the franchise record for fewest in a single season (27 in 16 games in 2010). The Ravens were tied for 30th in sacks and 29th in pressure rate. Van Noy, 34, just finished his third season in Baltimore and dropped from 12.5 sacks in 2024 to two in 2025. Mike Green didn't record his first sack until Week 8 and finished with 3.5, the third-most on the team, and his 14 quarterback hits were the second-most. Still, Green logged a fumble recovery, 19 pressures, 10 knockdowns, and five hurries. Entering this season, Tavius Robinson was considered a key component of the Ravens' defense and registered two sacks in his first four games before breaking a foot. Robinson has built a reputation as a dependable run stopper and will enter this offseason looking to secure a new deal.
LB
For the Chargers, Daiyan Henley has become a tackling machine and leader of this group, and was a captain in 2025. And while Troy Dye and Junior Colson are under contract in 2026, Denzel Perryman and Del'Shawn Phillips will both be unrestricted free agents.
Teddye Buchanan ranked fourth among rookie linebackers in PFF grade at 58.4. Roquan Smith just finished a season where he earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod. Smith's team-high 130 tackles (74 solo) ranked 15th in the NFL and 7th in the AFC. He added five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, three passes defensed, and one fumble recovery. Simpson logged a career-high 2.5 sacks and recorded 66 total tackles (34 solo), including 2.5 sacks, and one pass defensed in 17 regular-season games in 2025. and finished with seven fewer total tackles than in 2024, while playing 213 fewer defensive snaps.
CB
Cam Hart led the Chargers with 11 passes defended.
Humphrey had the biggest regression, going from an All-Pro season in 2024 to one of the lowest graded players at his position. Down the stretch, the Ravens defense allowed 300+ yard performances to New England's Drake Maye, Green Bay's Malik Willis, and the Steelers' Aaron Rodgers — twice. In the season finale with DK Metcalf serving a suspension, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers still lit Baltimore up, going 31-for-47 for 294 yards and a touchdown in a must-win scenario.
S
Malaki Starks played the most snaps, with 1065. Starks led the team's rookie class in WAR at 0.099, and he led the team's rookie class in PFF grade at 68.9. Starks, a 2025 first-round pick from Georgia, started 15 of the 17 games he appeared in this season, logging 1,060 defensive snaps (11th), 84 total tackles (49 solo) and four passes defensed, including two interceptions. Starks finished his rookie season with the third-most interceptions and the fourth-most total tackles on the Ravens' defense. Hamilton logged 96 tackles, eight passes defensed, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one sack. His ability to be a Swiss army knife is what makes him so valuable. At one point late in the season, Hamilton had played 241 snaps at slot cornerback, 215 snaps at high safety, 200 snaps at outside linebacker, 139 snaps as an edge rusher, 55 snaps at middle linebacker, 38 snaps aligned as a defensive tackle, and 33 snaps at outside cornerback. Alohi Gilman was sixth on the team in tackles with 68, six passes defended, and one tackle for loss.
For the Chargers, Tony Jefferson had 57 tackles, seven passes defended, and four interceptions. Derwin James earned a pair of Second-Team All-Pro honors under Minter, including one in 2024 when Chris O'Leary was his position coach.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: How does Ravens defensive talent compare to the Los Angeles Chargers?
Continue reading...
