Michael Pierce

Ravens high on nose tackle Michael Pierce

The Baltimore Ravens value second-year nose tackle Michael Pierce highly, ESPN reporter Jamison Hensley suggested.

What It Means:

Pierce played 375 snaps as an undrafted rookie out of Samford and dominated in run support, grading out as Pro Football Focus' thirteenth-best defensive tackle against the run despite playing fewer snaps than every other player ahead of him. Pierce's strong rookie year might make it easier if Baltimore can't re-sign nose tackle Brandon Williams -- who should get paid very highly -- in free agency.

With -0.11 opponent-adjusted Defensive Rushing Net Expected Points per play, the Ravens were the best run defense in the league for 2016.