The Baltimore Ravens will be under new leadership in 2026 after hiring Jesse Minter as just the fourth head coach in franchise history.
The club decided to part ways with head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons and just three playoff wins since 2024.
Minter will not be the only new face in Charm City, of course, as the Ravens added 11 players in the 2026 NFL Draft:
- Guard Olaivavega Ioane (Round 1)
- Defensive end Zion Young (Round 2)
- Wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane (Round 3)
- Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (Round 4)
- Tight end Matthew Hibner (Round 4)
- Cornerback Chandler Rivers (Round 5)
- Tight end Josh Cuevas (Round 5)
- Running back Adam Randall (Round 5)
- Punter Ryan Eckley (Round 6)
- Defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny (Round 7)
- Guard Evan Beerntsen (Round 7)
To get an idea of where the Ravens stand with their rookie class, we turned to Nikhil Mehta at Baltimore Beatdown for a Q&A.
Q: Overall,
what is the general feeling about the rookie class?
Nikhil: When looking at the Ravens’ 2026 draft class, several common themes emerge. They shored up their biggest weakness right away with first-round pick and Penn State guard Vega Ioane. The team continued to prioritize size and physicality with their next three picks – powerful edge rusher Zion Young and big-body wideouts Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt – who will bring complementary skillsets to their new position rooms in Baltimore.
In the fifth round, the Ravens also found potential long-term successors to top veterans in cornerback Chandler Rivers, who offers inside-outside versatility that has been one of Marlon Humphrey’s trademarks in Baltimore, and 6-foot-3 running back Adam Randall, who will hone his craft under the best jumbo-sized ballcarrier in NFL history in Derrick Henry.
Replacing key free agency departures was also a focal point on Day 3. The Ravens double-dipped on tight ends Matthew Hibner and Josh Cuevas to replace Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, and Ryan Eckley will succeed Jordan Stout as the team’s punter. And for extra depth in the trenches, Baltimore spent their late seventh-rounders on offensive lineman Evan Beerntsen and defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny.
Overall, this group of players aligns with the Ravens’ new culture and schemes on both sides of the ball. Ioane and Young are expected to make an impact early on, and the team is hoping for the same from their new quartet of pass-catchers. Prioritizing size and athleticism, especially with Lane and Randall, who are both just 21 years old, underscores the long-term developmental potential of this class.
Q: Which rookie are you most excited to see in action?
Nikhil: The Ravens had a first-round grade on Zion Young (as did Baltimore Beatdown), making him an absolute steal with the No. 45 pick. His ferocious attitude and physical play style are excellent fits for a Baltimore defense looking to get back to its bullying roots. The Missouri edge rusher profiles as an instant-impact run defender with potential as a power rusher, though he will need to refine his craft to consistently generate pressure in the NFL. Young is relentless when pursuing opposing quarterbacks and ballcarriers alike, which should result in some highlight plays as a rookie, and fans won’t need field mics to hear him celebrate with his teammates.
Q: Who is one rookie that may surprise people?
Nikhil: Ja’Kobi Lane is the Ravens’ higher-drafted receiver, but Elijah Sarratt, who was taken one round later, could have a bigger impact right away. At OTAs, he demonstrated proficiency against zone coverage, consistently finding soft spots, uncovering, and making himself a big target. His skills as a possession receiver at the catch point could also be a factor early on as a chain-mover and red-zone threat. (Lane is no slouch, either. He has used his size to pluck a number of intermediate passes out of the air in spring practices, but his thin frame might be a bigger issue when the pads come on.)
Q: Is there one area that you wish the team had focused on more in the draft?
Nikhil: This one is easy: center. After losing Tyler Linderbaum (to the Raiders’ ridiculous contract offer) in free agency, the Ravens entered the draft without a clear starter at the position. They had interest in Jake Slaughter and Logan Jones, who were drafted in the second round by the Chargers and the Bears, respectively, but did not have high grades on any other players at the position, certainly not high enough to profile as an instant starter.
However, there were several centers available on Day 3 that could have at least competed for the starting gig right away. Even if they did not earn the job, the Ravens still need to plan for their long-term future at the position, but they declined to add a rookie to develop under new offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford.
Q: Who is the one rookie that had you scratching your head when the team selected him?
Nikhil: Neither Matthew Hibner nor Adam Randall was on my radar heading into the draft, so they were head-scratchers in the sense of ‘who?’ rather than ‘why?’ Once the first question was answered, though, the second was, too. Hibner primarily operated out of the slot at SMU, but the Ravens have historically been successful in forming pass-catching tight ends into strong inline blockers. A similar trajectory for Hibner will allow offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to remain versatile when using heavy personnel, which is a hallmark of Ben Johnson’s scheme.
Randall, who was handpicked by owner Steve Bisciotti on the recommendation of Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, has rare athleticism in his 6-foot-3, 232-pound frame. He ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash at the Combine with elite vertical and broad jumps, and his past as a wide receiver gives him immediate third-down potential in the pros.
Thanks to Nikhil for taking the time to share his thoughts on Baltimore’s draft class.
