The practice field was quiet, the air thick with late spring heat and even heavier expectations. A familiar figure stood near the sideline, arms folded, scanning bodies in motion. He’d seen MVPs rise, seasons fall, and playoff dreams unravel in the cold. But what he needed now wasn’t flash — it was muscle, experience, and grit. The kind of presence that doesn’t make headlines… until it keeps one from happening.
It was 2018 when two players took their first steps into the NFL spotlight. One was a dynamic quarterback drafted by Baltimore at No. 32 overall — a man who would go on to rewrite rushing records. The other, an offensive tackle quietly selected at No. 89 by the Rams, was built for the dirty work in the trenches. The former, Lamar Jackson, became the first QB to have two 1000+ rushing yards seasons and has the most rushing yards by a QB in the NFL. The latter, Joseph Noteboom, despite not being nearly as recognizable, has something Jackson doesn’t—a Super Bowl ring. Now, fate has brought them together in a new chapter.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh recently surprised fans by securing a new deal with the former Rams offensive tackle. The 29-year-old veteran fills the void left by Josh Jones, who departed for the Seattle Seahawks in free agency. Noteboom had spent all his NFL seasons with the Rams and was part of their Super Bowl LVI championship squad during the 2021 season.
Known for his positional flexibility, Noteboom brings critical depth to Baltimore’s offensive line. With 71 games played and 35 starts, the veteran is expected to contribute both at guard and tackle — something Ravens GM Eric DeCosta confirmed by labeling him a “swing tackle” in the current roster plans.
Ravens reached agreement on a new contract with former Rams OT Joseph Noteboom. More OT depth in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/43uN3AUnxs
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 3, 2025
But Harbaugh didn’t stop at free agency. He made it clear that offensive line depth was a top priority in the 2025 Draft, using three of the team’s 11 picks on offensive linemen:
Emery Jones Jr., OT from LSU (3rd round, No. 91 overall)
Carson Vinson, OT from Alabama A&M (5th round, No. 141 overall)
Garrett Dellinger, OG from LSU (7th round, No. 243 overall)
The Ravens are building not just for protection but for a potential Super Bowl run. Last season, they looked primed to go deep before the Buffalo Bills halted their momentum and sent them packing in the divisional round. With Lamar Jackson still in his prime, Baltimore is fortifying the pocket like never before — and they might need it sooner than expected.
Rookie challenges Lamar Jackson in 2025
While the Ravens are shoring up their protection, one undrafted rookie has already circled Lamar Jackson’s name on his hit list. Florida defensive tackle Desmond Watson, now the heaviest player in NFL history, had hoped to hear his name called during the 2025 Draft. Though that call never came, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stepped in to offer him a shot, signing him as a UDFA. And Watson, already something of a cult figure, wasted no time making waves.
The 6-foot-5 tackle shocked fans by revealing that he had already shed 27 pounds, dropping his weight to 437 pounds, intending to reach 400. “I feel like I have a lot of weight to lose and still be big, if that makes sense,” Watson told reporters, reflecting on his journey ahead.
Image Credits: Social media, taken from Instagram @Desmond Watson
Watson’s three-year deal with Tampa Bay is worth $2.985 million, including a $20,000 signing bonus and $70,000 guaranteed. But it’s not just the money that’s driving him. Watson has made it clear: he’s out to sack two of the league’s most elusive quarterbacks — Lamar Jackson and the Cardinals‘ Kyler Murray.
The ambition is bold. The path is long. But if Watson manages to meet the quarterbacks he’s chasing — and brings them down — he could go from novelty to nightmare in the eyes of fans and offensive coordinators alike. For now, though, the focus is on slimming down, learning the system, and earning his shot at an NFL debut.
With the draft behind us and rosters filling fast, teams are now combing through the UDFA pool and free agents. One side is building a wall. The other? Planning how to break it.
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