Chuck Smith’s primary focus is turning high-profile edge defenders like veterans Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh, along with rookie Mike Green, into prolific pass-rushers for the Baltimore Ravens, but the key assistant coach actually believes an unheralded player is improving enough to become the “centerpiece” of this defense.
Smith, who coaches the pass rush, primarily with the outside linebackers in Baltimore, reserved special praise for Tavius Robinson. The 6-foot-6, 262-pounder is “everything you look for in a Baltimore Raven,” according to Smith, who also believes the third-year pro will be a “bona fide pass-rusher and he has an opportunity to have a breakout season,” per The Baltimore Banner’s Giana Han.
That’s a bold prediction for a 26-year-old who has yet to start more than seven games in a season. Yet, Smith still believes Robinson is “a centerpiece in our defensive front,” while the coach also credited him with “adding rush moves in his repertoire, he’s got power.
To his credit, Robinson has flashed potential with his limited opportunities on the field, like when he logged 3.5 sacks last season. If Robinson can meet Smith’s expectations, he’ll solve an underrated problem for the Ravens.
Namely, uncertainty about the futures of their primary pass-rushers beyond this season.
Tavius Robinson Ready for More
Smith, who logged 58.5 sacks during nine seasons in the NFL, wants to get Robinson onto the field more often. It’s a sensible idea when the fourth-round pick from the 2023 draft is a physical mismatch on the edge.
Robinson’s size and speed should translate to dominance, but the Ravens have been waiting in vain for that level of performance. It’s not as if expectations weren’t already high after general manager Eric DeCosta compared Robinson to ex-Ravens game-wrecker Za’Darius Smith.
Opportunity remains the key to unlocking Robinson’s potential. He needs to get onto the field for more than the 43 percent of the team’s defensive snaps he played in 2024, according to Pro Football Reference.
Plays like this takedown of league MVP Josh Allen against the Buffalo Bills in last season’s playoffs help form a strong case for Robinson being more involved.
Robinson had already started earning more trust during the regular season, thanks to a growing confidence stuffing the run and putting heat on the pocket. His upsurge coincided with fellow outside linebacker David Ojabo, an oft-injured second-round pick, struggling to make game-day rosters.
Ojano’s struggles aren’t the only issue facing the Ravens and their pass-rush department.
Ravens Have Questions to Answer on the Edges
Age and uncertainty are steadily eroding the top-line names of Baltimore’s edge-rusher rotation. Van Noy continues to play fine football, but he’s 34, while Oweh is getting bigger and better, ahead of entering free agency in 2026.
Those factors likely prompted the Ravens to take a chance on Green in the second round this year. He led college football in sacks last season and boasts genuine “breakout” potential.
Until that potential is fulfilled, there’s room for somebody else to become the regular disruptor the Ravens need. Robinson is on track to live up to that label and justify Smith’s praise.
Doing both will safeguard the future of a key area of Baltimore’s defense.
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