The Baltimore Ravens head into 2026 with a fanbase that’s not in the mood for another letdown. After last season, the pressure is on, and a lot of the attention is going to land on players who either underwhelmed, were held back by opportunity, or now need to show they can take a real step forward.
Three names stand out in particular: Rashod Bateman, Malaki Starks, and Aeneas Peebles.
Bateman is the easiest place to start, because last year was rough in a big way. He signed an extension in the offseason prior, then finished with 19 receptions, 224 yards, and two touchdowns.
That kind of production is hard to spin any other way. Even so, Baltimore is still lining him up as the No. 2 receiver behind Zay Flowers, at least for now.
The Ravens also drafted two wideouts in the 2026 NFL Draft, which only adds more pressure to his spot. Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt figure to need time before they’re ready, and Bateman still projects as the team’s primary deep threat.
With Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar gone in free agency, there should be more targets available. He has to cash in on them and show he can be a dependable piece in Charm City.
Starks is in a different spot. The expectation here is growth, plain and simple.
He was one of the top players in his draft class, and while his rookie season was solid, it still fell short of what he wanted from himself. The tools are all there.
He has cornerback-like coverage ability, strong ball skills, and the kind of football IQ that can set him apart from most defenders. Another year in the league should help his production climb.
On top of that, he’ll be playing under Jesse Minter, which is a clear boost. That coaching change could be exactly what pushes Starks to another level.
Then there’s Peebles, who may be the player fans are most eager to see actually get a chance. He became an offseason favorite in 2025 because of the energy he brings as an interior pass rusher, but the snaps never followed.
Minter’s presence could help, though nothing is promised. Peebles is buried on the depth chart, and the reality is he might not crack the rotation at all.
There’s even a chance he misses the 53-man roster. Still, his get-off, speed in pursuit, and relentless motor make him tough to ignore.
He’s already won over a chunk of the fanbase, and now he needs the opportunity to prove he belongs.
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Greens work in the ring has already offered a glimpse of how that experiment translates, with the early reps showing the same balance-and-force battle hell face on Sundays. There is still plenty to learn about how far he can take it, and training camp should bring a better sense of how often the Ravens plan to lean into this kind of cross-training for a pass rusher trying to gain an edge. [Read more 🡒]