Ebony Bird

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has been one of the best tight ends in the league during his career, and he’s still respected as such. In ESPN’s annual position rankings, done by league execs, scouts, and coaches, Andrews was the ninth-ranked tight end for 2026. While that’s three spots down from his ranking of No. 6 last year, people throughout the league still think Andrews is one of the best at his position.

It’s hard to think that the Baltimore Ravens won’t be back in the playoffs in 2026. They made all the necessary changes to put them on a collision course with a playoff berth. From the head coach hiring of Jesse Minter to the blockbuster signing of Trey Hendrickson, the pieces for success are falling into place. While Minter might be a first-year coach, he could certainly make some noise in the playoffs if he gets the chance.

When the Baltimore Ravens hired Jesse Minter to be the team’s next head this offseason, they accomplished two goals. The franchise landed a head coach who has been identified as a rising star in the coaching ranks, and Baltimore also got a defensive mind who could make the team’s defense elite again. Minter was a popular head coaching candidate because of the work he did as a defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers, so he should be able to do some fun things defensively for Baltimore.

The Baltimore Ravens had a busy offseason, mainly highlighted by a brand-new coaching staff. Without a doubt, the early signs are that Lamar Jackson has hit it off with new head coach Jesse Minter and new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Furthermore, Doyle is primed to focus more on the passing game and explosive plays, which should help Lamar. However, the Ravens' offense around Jackson isn't without its questions.

Last year, the Baltimore Ravens trotted out an offensive line that was unbearable to watch. Most notably, it was the horrific offensive guard duo that had them take major steps back, and to be honest, the rest of the front was also disappointing. The Ravens made efforts to improve that area. They signed a familiar face in John Simpson and used their first-round pick on Vega Ioane. Unfortunately, they lost Tyler Linderbaum in free agency and have still yet to settle on a replacement.

The Baltimore Ravens spent a lucrative chunk of money this offseason. They made nine signings in free agency, handing out three multi-year deals and $96.75 million in guaranteed money. It was a bit uncharacteristic, but the aggressiveness was desperately needed. Those past several months were headlined by their blockbuster signing of Trey Hendrickson. If there’s one spot that Baltimore needed to drop a ton of money on, it was pass rusher, and now they have an elite sack artist in Hendrickson.

Let’s be honest, as the Baltimore Ravens head into training camp, it feels like most of their 53-man roster is set. The starting unit is nearly set in stone, and for most position groups, the team has their depth figured out. That’s not to say there won’t be battles in the coming months, though. The most notable battles will come in the trenches—on both the offensive and defensive side. The interior defensive line is loaded with talent, and likely too much to keep on the active roster.

The Baltimore Ravens have entered a new era by putting together a new coaching staff, but the team will continue to lean on the same players on the field. Offensively, that means a lot of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Some people have questioned if that’s still a sustainable plan, because Jackson is a dual-threat quarterback entering his ninth season, and Henry is a 32-year old running back.

The Baltimore Ravens might have the best safety room in the NFL. They signed Jaylinn Hawkins to build a fierce trio of Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, and Hawkins. That group is downright terrifying. The starters between Hamilton and Starks was already one of the best in football. When you have Hamilton, you’re bound to have a dangerous room. However, Starks is also emerging as a threat, and 2025 may just be the beginning.

The idea of a free safety has slipped into basketball discourse over the past several seasons. Of course, it's not a position in basketball, but the idea of wreaking havoc and blowing up plays off the ball like a traditional free safety has quickly become something media pundits and coaches often discuss. Recently, Utah Jazz rookie Darryn Peterson noted that head coach Will Hardy had him watch Baltimore Ravens legend Ed Reed to help him improve his defense.