The Ravens added some pass rush juice in the trenches with the selection of defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles in the sixth round (pick No. 212).
The Virgina Tech product is smaller than most defensive tackles at 289 pounds and 6-feet tall, but his quickness makes him a tough player to block.
Peebles won't be a replacement for retired nose tackle Michael Pierce, but he could carve out a role as a sub-package pass rusher as he develops.
Peebles had three sacks last season and five the year before at Duke, where he played his first four seasons. He had a whopping 16 tackles for loss the past two years and one of the highest pressure rates in this year's loaded defensive tackle class.
Peebles hails from an athletic football (and softball) family. His father was an All-American defensive tackle at Appalachian State in 1994. His mother was the first Black woman to play softball at Cal State Long Beach and played professional.
His grandfather, Doug Wilkerson, was the most acclaimed, as he was a first-round pick in the 1970 NFL Draft. Wilkerson was a three-time Pro Bowler who played 15 seasons at defensive end and offensive guard, primarily for the San Diego Chargers.
The Ravens had a need on the defensive line with Pierce's retirement and Brent Urban as a free agent. While Peebles doesn't fit either of their profiles, Baltimore is always looking for more ways to affect quarterbacks, including with interior rush. Peebles could get 1-on-1 matchups playing next to Nnamdi Madubuike that would be advantageous for his penetrating play style.
