After their first loss last week, the rookies and the Ravens bounced back to experience a once-in-a-decade type of win in just their third week of their careers. Baltimore’s youngsters played a key role in the team’s massive comeback win in first-ever NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
OG Vega Ioane
Ioane had his best day as a pro in Brazil. He gave up zero pressures (via Pro Football Focus) and had moments where he moved some bodies in the run game in dominant fashion. But by far his biggest highlight of the day didn’t
come at his normal position. After the Ravens lost both their starting center Jovaughn Gwyn and his backup Ethan Pocic, the Ravens turned to none other than the rookie in his third career game. Ioane hadn’t played center in a game since 2023 at Penn State. He proceeded to have zero snap mistakes and continue his perfect pass protection. For now, it seems the rookie will continue to play at center until a different solution is found.
OLB Zion Young
Young seems to be improving every week, and it’s encouraging how many snaps the coaching staff is giving him. Young played 26 snaps and ended up totaling three tackles with one run stop and a pressure, according to PFF. While the stats themselves aren’t anything electric, his PFF grades are rising, and the film shows development in the areas of his game that had questions while he leans into using his strength more comfortably.
WR Elijah Sarratt
A week after Sarratt was mentioned by name as somebody who could find rhythm in the offense following the injuries to Zay Flowers and Ja’Kobi Lane and then proceeded to get zero snaps against the Saints, Sarratt was on the inactive list as Flowers made his return. With Lane’s return coming soon and every other wide receiver seemingly ahead of him on the depth chart, Sarratt’s rookie year seems to be one that is going to be filled with limited snaps and lots of healthy scratches.
TE Matt Hibner
Hibner’s role continues to get bigger and bigger every week as the Ravens slowly get the explosive tight end more involved. Hibner finished with 32 snaps, just barely behind Durham Smythe (34) and Mark Andrews (33), who had a hand injury and left the game for a couple of snaps. Hibner caught two more passes for 23 yards. One was an explosive 21-yard reception, and the other was his first career touchdown that gave the Ravens the lead with a minute and a half remaining in the game. Outside of his receiving stats, PFF charted Hibner with eight routes ran, three pass-blocking snaps, and 21 run-blocking snaps. Hibner received a 59.5 run-blocking grade and a 73.1 pass-blocking grade with no pressures.
TE Josh Cuevas
Cuevas had his busiest day as a pro with 16 snaps, in large part due to Mark Andrews’ absence during his hand injury. Cuevas had his first career catch, a 14-yard play from a drag route off a chip-and-release that came with 11 yards after the catch. Cuevas ability to chip and then become a quarterback-friendly target immediately after was one of his most consistent traits and one of my favorite things from his college tape, and it’s something the Ravens should utilize more as the offensive line continues to build. Cuevas also had eight run-blocking snaps where PFF graded him at 58.1
CB Chandler Rivers
Rivers is another Day 3 rookie whose role continues to grow exponentially right now as the Ravens figure some things out on the defensive side of the ball. Rivers finished with 32 total snaps and tallied two pressures on three pass-rush snaps, proving his effectiveness as a blitzer, something that was heavily noted on his college tape. Like much of the Ravens’ secondary, though, PFF was not kind to Rivers on his coverage. For now, we will hope that will improve as the rest of the secondary gets better in Jesse Minter’s scheme, as the head coach looks to elevate the unit as he does so well.
P Ryan Eckley
You are doing your job well as a rookie punter if nobody is thinking about you at the end of the game. For those who remember Jordan Stout’s rookie year, and a couple following it, Stout was often remembered, and not for the best reasons, before finally developing into the NFL’s best punter last season. For now, Eckley is getting his job done without mistakes, and that’s all you can ask for. Eckley had three punts against the Cowboys, averaging 49.7 per punt and having a long of 58 yards.
Wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane and running back Adam Randall remain on injured reserve, with defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny on the practice squad.
