Ryan Mink

The Ravens have filled their need for a big-bodied, run-stuffing nose tackle, signing veteran John Jenkins.

Jenkins, 35, steps into the void left by Michael Pierce's retirement and provides more depth along a strong Ravens defensive front.

The 6-foot-3, 327-pounder is entering his 13th NFL season and will be playing for his seventh different team. He spent the past two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders and started every game.

Jenkins made a career-high 61 tackles in 2023 and followed it up with another strong year and 46 tackles. He had one sack each of the past two seasons. The Raiders had the NFL's No. 13-ranked run defense last year, allowing 116.9 yards per game.

The Ravens, who had the league's top run defense by a wide measure last season (80.1), were looking for a block eater and run stopper after coming out of the NFL draft without having checked that box. Sixth-round defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles is 6-foot, 282 pounds and is known more for penetrating gaps and backfield disruption.

Jenkins played a career-high 609 defensive snaps last season (55% of Raiders' snaps) and 594 the year. He likely won't have to play that many in Baltimore with Travis Jones in the starting role and accompanied by Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington.

Although Jenkins is three years older than the retired Pierce, Jenkins has shown he still has more gas left in the tank and the Ravens have a rich history of finding quality veteran producers in their 30s.

Originally a third-round pick out of Georgia in 2013, Jenkins was an unrestricted free agent this season, but by waiting until after the draft, his addition won't impact the Ravens' compensatory picks for 2026.