Baltimore Ravens sign NT John Jenkins

John Jenkins' one-year, $2M signing earns a C Contract Value Index (CVI), a pragmatic depth acquisition that reflects modest production value at a reasonable short-term cost. At the nose tackle position, Jenkins represents a solid starter caliber option rather than an elite interior anchor—the kind of mid-tier defensive lineman teams cycle through to shore up rotation depth without committing significant long-term resources. The $2M AAV is a true bargain for any starting-caliber defensive lineman, and the one-year structure gives Baltimore maximum flexibility if the fit doesn't work or cap priorities shift heading into 2027. The risk calculus here is straightforward: Jenkins provides reasonable insurance against injury at a position where depth matters, but he's not a transformational piece that moves the needle for a team that finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs last season. For a Ravens front office working in the preseason window with 91 days until the regular season, this is the kind of low-cost, low-risk transaction that fills a roster hole without tying up cap space—effective housekeeping rather than bold improvement.