Ethan Burke waited through all seven rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft without hearing his name called. Eventually, he was added to a roster as an undrafted rookie free agent. Four months later, he may have forced one of the toughest conversations taking place inside the Baltimore Ravens' facility.
Burke has been one of the biggest surprises of training camp and the preseason, and he has consistently found ways to stand out in a crowded outside linebacker room. Whether by pressuring quarterbacks, creating turnovers, or simply showing up around the football, the undrafted edge rusher repeatedly made his presence felt.
More importantly, the conversation surrounding Burke has changed. He entered the summer trying to earn an opportunity. With final cuts
for all 32 teams looming, he's now a player who has made a legitimate case to be part of Baltimore's plans moving forward.
Ethan Burke has made the Ravens take notice
Following Baltimore's 41-3 drubbing of the Washington Commanders during Friday night's preseason finale, head coach Jesse Minter spoke with the media. He was asked after Friday night's preseason finale about players who made roster decisions difficult. Naturally, Burke's name quickly came up.
"I would," Minter said when asked whether Burke's name could be included among those players. "You could throw the whole edge room in there."
Minter went on to praise the group as a whole, but his comments reinforced what has become increasingly obvious throughout camp. Burke has put himself firmly in the mix. The Ravens have built a reputation for uncovering overlooked talent and giving the owners a shot, particularly on defense. Players arrive with something to prove, embrace the organization's developmental culture, and force their way into the conversation.
Burke's path feels familiar. After going undrafted, he refused to view the experience as a setback. He also spoke with the media.
"It was something that was frustrating, but there are tons of guys who went undrafted and made really good careers out of it. So, it was not discouraging to me whatsoever. I just knew I had to work a little harder and come out here and make a name for myself."
That mindset has shown up throughout camp. When asked whether he feels he has done enough to make the team, Burke didn't lobby for himself or make any predictions.
"That is not up to me,"
Instead, his message remained the same one he has delivered all summer. Keep working. Keep improving. Let the coaches decide.
"Put my head down, continue to grind, and whatever happens-happens."
"Put my head down, continue to grind, and whatever happens-happens," Ravens undrafted rookie OLB Ethan Burke. Who has certainly done enough this preseason to make this team. pic.twitter.com/uOasQLY7YA
— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) August 29, 2026
Burke arrived in Baltimore hoping to prove he belonged in the NFL. By the end of the preseason, he was no longer answering questions about going undrafted. He was answering questions about potentially making the Ravens' roster.
Every summer, undrafted rookies arrive believing they can beat the odds. Most spend training camp fighting simply to remain in the conversation. Burke has moved beyond that stage. He has forced Baltimore's coaching staff to evaluate him as a legitimate option in one of the roster's most competitive position groups.
Whether that results in a spot on the initial 53-man roster remains to be seen. What seems clear, however, is that Burke has already accomplished the hardest part. He made the Ravens take notice. For an undrafted player in an organization known for demanding results before handing out opportunities, that may be the strongest endorsement possible.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens have found another undrafted gem in Ethan Burke
