Baltimore Beatdown
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ravens fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Baltimore Ravens are embracing the new in 2026. Save for a few assistants, they have an entirely new coaching staff, led by new playcallers on both sides of the ball in head coach Jesse Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Minter’s scheme is a variation of the one the Ravens have used for years, but Doyle’s offense will look vastly different from Todd Monken’s.
Another offseason change was the signing of All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million contract, the biggest free agent spend in team history. Not only has Eric DeCosta shied away from such big-money signings in the past, he has especially avoided aggressive pursuits of edge rushers in general. But the aborted Maxx Crosby trade and subsequent Hendrickson addition could be indicative of a new approach from the front office.
There are, of course, several other new players, including early draft picks Vega Ioane and Zion Young, who are expected to add some much-needed physicality in the trenches. But if Baltimore is truly going to make a Super Bowl run in 2026, a few longtime Ravens will need to bounce back from down years in 2025 and re-establish themselves as some of the league’s top players at their respective positions.
That brings us to this week’s Ravens Reacts survey. Which of the players listed below will make the biggest improvements from their relatively disappointing performance last year? Here’s the case for each one:
After a strong 2024 campaign, Mark Andrews posted career-lows of 422 yards, 8.8 yards per reception, and 6.0 yards per target last year. Target competition was hard to blame last year, as Rashod Bateman (next on this list) and Isaiah Likely did not produce much, either. But a weak offensive line affects the entire offense. Lamar Jackson’s injuries and inability to get comfortable behind the line of scrimmage no doubt affected his ability to find his favorite target downfield. But Bears tight end Colston Loveland led the team in receiving last season, so Doyle’s offense could not only bring Andrews back to more efficient play, but elevate him back to his Pro Bowl peak.
Bateman stands to benefit even more from improved offensive line play. During his breakout in 2024, he did most of his damage on deep balls. But Jackson hardly had the time to find his veteran wideout downfield last year, resulting in the lowest output of Bateman’s (just 19 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns). It seems impossible that he could do any worse this year.
Roquan Smith earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition in 2024 and another Pro Bowl last year, but he has still not been the same force multiplier as he was in 2022 and 2023 under Mike Macdonald. One theory is that Zach...
