Dawgs By Nature
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:
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...
