The Ravens’ 2026 rookie class suffered their first NFL loss in the home opener against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. Let’s see how the rookies did in the game.
OG Vega Ioane
After a strong NFL debut in Week 1, Ioane had a much rougher time in Week 2. Ioane was charted with four pressures on 40 pass-blocking snaps according to PFF. The Saints countered the new Ravens under-center offense with a lot of A-gap blitzes and Ioane, paired with center Jovaughn Gywn, struggled to sort through the noise. PFF also gave
him a low run-blocking grade, but the Ravens ran the ball effectively on Sunday, with clips showing Ioane moving bodies, so I’m not buying into that grade as much. While many, myself included, touted Ioane as one of the most NFL-ready prospects in the draft with an All-Pro ceiling, he’s still just a rookie in his second start next to a first-time starter at center. I’m not discouraged. His Week 1 performance was great, and I’ll buy we see more games like that than this one.
DE Zion Young
Young had an up-and-down day against New Orleans. He continued to flash that raw strength that is the cornerstone of his game, which gave him one pressure on seven pass-rush snaps according to PFF rate, with a 16.3% win rate. He graded out fairly well in pass rush (63.1), run defense (68.7), and special teams (72.6). That being said, Young had two noticeable mistakes on Sunday. First, on the Saints’ first scoring drive, Tyler Shough absolutely shook Young out of his cleats on what should have been an easy tackle for loss that could have helped force a longer field goal attempt. Then, after the Ravens responded to that field goal with their own touchdown and should have been going into halftime with a 14-3 lead, Young failed to keep contain with Malaki Starks on the kick return right before halftime, which allowed the Saints to tag on another three. These aren’t massive mistakes and most rookies do make them, but they were impactful and it’s the little details that can win or lose you a game. Otherwise, I think Young has been as advertised — a guy who’s been able to knock linemen back with his incredible play strength and push the pocket.
WR Elijah Sarratt
After being specifically mentioned by the coaching staff before the game against New Orleans as a guy who could find rhythm with Zay Flowers and Ja’Kobi Lane down, Sarratt got the game-day activation after being a healthy scratch Week 1. Sarratt then proceeded to get zero snaps on offense or special teams. This is frustrating, considering the Ravens did lose and how much they’ve struggled on offense since Flowers went down. Sarratt’s steady hands should be utilized.
TE Matt Hibner and TE Josh Cuevas
I wouldn’t normally put two rookies together, but that’s how little they were both used in this one. Neither tight end saw a target, and they played a combined 24 snaps total against the Saints. Hibner ran 10 routes according to TruMedia and earned a 57.8 run-blocking grade on nine blocking snaps, per PFF. Cuevas ran four routes and had a run-blocking grade of 59.7 on one snap. I specifically mentioned Hibner a couple of times leading up to the game, as I would have liked to have seen him get targets. Fellow tight end Mark Andrews was effective in his safety valve role but didn’t offer much downfield or after the catch. Hibner seems to be a guy who could become an explosive tight end receiving option for this team but hasn’t received much a chance. We’ll have to see if his role gets bigger as the Ravens continue to navigate operating without Flowers and Lane.
CB Chandler Rivers
After being a healthy scratch Week 1, Rivers got the activation against the Saints following T.J. Tampa’s move to IR. Rivers immediately factored into the rotation, out-snapping both Chido Awuzie and Keyon Martin. Rivers flashed throughout the day in coverage, limiting yards after the catch and being a solid tackler — something the rest of the Ravens’ defense struggled with against the Saints. Coming out of the draft, some of the best things scouted from Rivers were his physicality despite his smaller stature, play recognition and IQ, and how well he got downhill to bust screens and on blitzes. That was exactly what he showed in this game, especially on his tackle for loss in the red zone, where he immediately eliminated an Alvin Kamara designed touch out near the boundary. Expect Rivers to keep his playing time in a secondary that’s still looking to find its footing.
P Ryan Eckley
After a great Week 1 where all three of his punts pinned the Colts inside the 20, Eckley’s day against the Saints was less banner-worthy. Eckley only averaged 41.3 yards on his three punts, and none were even caught inside of the 20. With Flowers’ absence continuing to linger, this Ravens team might need to lean on its defense for some wins. That starts with Eckley giving opposing teams a long field to drive on. He’ll need to be better moving forward.
Wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane and running back Adam Randall remain on injured reserve, with defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny on the practice squad.
