The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
Every team is excited about their incoming class of rookies, but how will those new players affect each team in 2026?
Let's look at the Baltimore Ravens, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from their class while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Baltimore Ravens 2026 Draft Class: Which Rookies Will Make an Impact?
In typical Ravens fashion, they stayed patient and waited for a standout prospect to fall before landing Vega Ioane (first round), widely considered the best interior offensive lineman in this draft class. Ioane played over 2,000 snaps during his career at Penn State, primarily at left guard, and committed just five career penalties. Andrew Vorhees, a seventh-round pick in 2023, started at left guard for the Ravens last year, but Ioane is expected to immediately take on that role. Baltimore still has an opening at center, however, so we shouldn’t dismiss the possibility that Ioane is Tyler Linderbaum’s replacement. Ioane played some snaps at center in college and showcased those skills at his Pro Day, so there’s a slight chance Baltimore allows him to compete for the job.
Zion Young (second round) will compete with last year’s second-round pick Mike Green for a starting job on the edge opposite Trey Hendrickson. Young’s consistency as a pass-rusher at Missouri was impressive, and should allow him to get on the field on passing downs at a minimum. In three games against teams ranked in the top 50 of pressure rate allowed (Texas A&M, Alabama, Oklahoma), Young generated a 19% pressure rate, demonstrating his ability to rise to the level of his competition.
Ja’Kobi Lane (third round) was a surprising selection, though maybe not too shocking considering Baltimore has often struggled when drafting receivers. The Ravens lack size in the receiving corps, so there’s room for the 6-foot-4 Lane to carve out a role as a downfield weapon who can battle for contested targets. However, he’s coming off a season in which his route-adjusted catch rate was 9.6% below expected (and 3.7% below expected for his career). Elijah Sarratt (fourth round) is another big outside receiver (6-foot-3) who will compete with Lane and Devontez Walker for the third receiver role behind Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers. Sarratt lacks Lane’s athletic traits but is further along in his development as a route-runner thanks to playing in a more balanced offensive system. Lane ran a curl route 30% of the time and only had three routes he ran at least 25 times last year at USC. Sarratt didn’t run any route more than 17% of the time and had six routes he ran at least 25 times.
Matthew Hibner (fourth round) and Josh Cuevas (fifth round) will compete to be the third tight end behind Mark Andrews and Durham Smythe. Hibner has more upside as a receiver, whereas Cuevas is fairly well polished as a blocker. The hope is likely that Cuevas takes over Smythe’s role as a blocking tight end in 2027, while Hibner continues to develop and maybe makes a play at Andrews’ job down the road. Chandler Rivers (fifth round) was a starter as an outside corner for most of his four years at Duke, but might be better suited for the nickel role in the pros due to his size. He played on special teams throughout his four years, which will help him earn a roster spot in Baltimore.
The selection of Adam Randall (fifth round) was made by owner Steve Bisciotti, which likely increases his odds of making the team, though a player with special teams, fullback, running back, and wide receiver versatility was likely going to make the roster anyway. Randall started his career at receiver before switching to running back in 2025. He’ll compete with Rasheen Ali as the third-string ball carrier. Ali also returned kicks for Baltimore, a role which Randall played last year at Clemson, potentially making the transition easier.
Baltimore made punter Ryan Eckley (sixth round) the first special teams player off the board. His leg is both strong and accurate, and Eckley will immediately take over the starting job with Jordan Stout following John Harbaugh to New York. Last year at Michigan State, Eckley pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line on 92% of his punts from his own 40-yard line or closer (FBS average was 70%). Rayshaun Benny (seventh round) is an athletic interior pass-rusher who never fully developed at Michigan. He has traits worth trying to develop, but his 4.7% pressure rate from the interior last year fell far below what you would expect from a fifth-year senior who moves like Benny. Evan Beerntsen (seventh round) will compete for one of the final roster spots but will likely struggle to make a crowded depth chart on the interior offensive line.
As usual, the Ravens did a nice job blending value and need with this draft class. GM Eric DeCosta also took a smart approach by addressing certain positions with multiple picks to allow the rookies to fight it out. Most of those Day 3 picks won’t pan out, so it makes sense to take multiple shots at the positions where you’re hoping to find some contributors.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
Order Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview to Get Penalty Analysis for All 32 NFL Teams
Warren Sharp’s 600+ page full-color PDF, the 2026 Football Preview, is unlike anything you have read. Stunning visualizations, including new heat maps and stat pages, are built with the reader in mind. Innovative, next-level thought processes abound in every team chapter and article.
Get Warren's Book
Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2026 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data-driven & full of actionable info
- Fantasy Football player profiles, predictions, and ranks
- Vegas Odds forecast team wins, division rankings, lines for all 2026 games
- Coaching strategic advice for teams, play-calling analysis & team tendencies
- Front Office Analysis positional spending, roster construction & cap analysis
- Reasons to bet over/under win totals & analysis of futures betting market
- Rookie draft class deep dive into impact for every team
- Rankings for every positional unit on every team with analysis
- Penalty analysis for all 32 NFL teams
