Ravens International Star on ‘Wrong Side’ of Roster ‘Bubble’

Final cuts have already begun for the Baltimore Ravens, but a headline name could be added to the list in the near future, an international star who has looked dominant at times during training camp and preseason.

It’s defensive tackle C.J. Okoye, a 6-foot-6, 370-pound defensive tackle who “is probably on the wrong side of the bubble.” That’s the opinion of ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, who also projects the Ravens to sever ties with 10-year veteran D-lineman Brent Urban.

The latter is a bigger name as a proven commodity, but Okoye has greater upside. He didn’t play football until 2022, but the Nigerian-born athlete offers a rare blend of size and speed in the trenches.

Okoye’s best qualities showed up during the preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday, August 7. Since then, however, there’s a concern Okoye’s “inexperience makes it tough to land on the Ravens’ initial 53-man roster, which will be set next Tuesday, but his future is bright. He might be a year or two away, but he is like a fast-moving train,” per The Baltimore Sun.

Fast-tracking Okoye would likely need to be weighed against the development of Aeneas Peebles, the team’s sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

CJ Okoye a Fit for Ravens’ Defense

Okoye showed out against the Colts, particularly when he belted starting quarterback Daniel Jones with a pretty good thump. The hit was highlighted by Ravens.com Editorial Director Ryan Mink, who also included a quote from head coach John Harbaugh crediting Okoye with “making good use of all that size he has.”

Harbaugh’s reference to Okoye’s accelerated development speaks to the player being a quick study. Okoye only attended “the first NFL Africa camp held in Ghana in 2022. It was his first time actually playing football. As an offensive tackle, he was named the Offensive MVP,” according to Mink.

A position switch followed when Okoye “was then one of 38 players from 13 countries to participate in the NFL International Combine in London, and from there was chosen as one of 13 players in the NFL International Player Pathway Program. That meant a 10-week training camp at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where he was converted to defensive line and got new instructions.”

Two seasons on the practice squad for the Los Angeles Chargers continued the learning process for Okoye. The 23-year-old had his moments, showing an aptitude for splitting blocks and getting downhill to stuff the run, like on this impressive rep against the New Orleans Saints in August 2023.

A play like this is why Okoye can still have a future with the Ravens, even if he lands on the practice squad in Baltimore. Harbaugh’s teams have long made room for versatile space-eaters at the heart of the defensive front, with players like former five-time Pro Bowler Haloti Ngata and current starter Travis Jones serving as notable examples.

Okoye’s physical profile fits this tradition and represents his best chance to stick around, but there’s ample competition.

Ravens Well-Stocked Along Defensive Front

Okoye has depth chart value because he can play nose tackle or defensive end, but so can rugged veteran John Jenkins. The 36-year-old is targeting a breakout campaign after studying a franchise great.

Jenkins joins secret star Jones as big bodies who can operate over the ball or on the edge, while Peebles has showcased his potential as a pass-rusher. He did so with this impressive swim move and pressure against the Washington Commanders during the Ravens’ third exhibition game, highlighted by SleeperNFL’s Chris Cooper.

Peebles has the greater track record on the gridiron, but Okoye may carry a recommendation from Harbaugh’s brother Jim, who took as head coach of the Chargers last season. It’s one more reason why the player born in Agbogugu, Nigeria can survive cuts and emerge on the right side of the bubble as one of the more intriguing burgeoning talents on the roster.