The first stretch of Ravens training camp has already handed fans plenty to chew on. There have been injury returns, big contracts, and a handful of players making loud early statements on the field. But with less than two weeks in, the smartest move is still patience.
That matters most when it comes to the rookie wideout who has been the talk of camp. The third-round pick from USC has stacked up highlight-worthy practice after highlight-worthy practice, flashing the same acrobatic ball skills, catch radius, and strong hands that made him such an appealing prospect.
He came into camp in the mix for the No. 3 receiver job in an offense under Declan Doyle that is expected to use more 11-personnel. Now, the buzz around him has grown so quickly that some are already asking whether he can push for the starting spot across from two-time Pro Bowler Zay Flowers.
That’s a leap Ravens fans should pump the brakes on. Lane has not played in a preseason game yet, and he still has not gone through a joint practice against another team.
Bateman, by contrast, has 64 career games and 47 starts, and he has also opened camp well, with his chemistry with Lamar Jackson looking as sharp as ever. Lane may absolutely carve out a real role if he keeps this up and carries it into live action, but it is still too soon to say he has done enough to jump Bateman.
The same caution applies up front, where the Ravens could have one of the league’s deepest and most talented defensive line groups on paper. The offseason reunion with six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell and the clearance of two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike before camp started both pointed to real firepower inside. But the picture is not quite that clean yet.
Madubuike is being brought along slowly, and 2025 breakout nose tackle Travis Jones has still not practiced because he remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list nearly two weeks into camp. Both are vital to what Baltimore wants to do defensively.
Madubuike brings the penetration, Jones the ability to absorb bodies and clog things up. If they are not fully ramped up by the opener at the Indianapolis Colts, the Ravens will be leaning on players they expected to use more in rotation.
That group includes Campbell, who will be 40 by the time the Ravens head to Indianapolis, 37-year-old nose tackle John Jenkins, Broderick Washington coming off Achilles surgery that cost him the final 14 games of last season, and a few young players still trying to prove they belong. The unit could look very different - and much better - a month or two into the season.
There has also been early optimism around fifth-round rookie running back Keaton Mitchell? No - the rookie back is Randall, and he has drawn attention for the right reasons.
Team owner Steve Bisciotti personally selected him, and so far he has looked like a smart bet. Randall, a converted wide receiver who did not switch positions until his final year at Clemson, has shown off his versatility as a receiver out of the backfield and has also flashed on special teams.
"He has really good versatility. He is good out of the backfield, obviously, with his receiver background," head coach Jesse Minter said Thursday.
"He is a big body, so he is learning - continuing to learn - to run behind his pads and use that size to his advantage. But, I am really pleased with how he has done.
I think he has a lot of versatility. He has done some nice things on special teams as well.
So, [he will] just continue to progress, but [I] like where he is at."
Even if Randall keeps turning heads in the preseason, though, his lane on offense is still narrow. Derrick Henry is the clear starter and is expected to handle the bulk of the work, especially with his role in the passing game potentially growing. Justice Hill remains one of the league’s better pass-catching and pass-protecting backs, which makes him the favorite to keep the third-down job.
Randall’s main competition for a limited offensive role is third-year pro Rasheen Ali. Ali has not gotten the same buzz, but reports say he has had a strong camp too, with several chunk runs once the pads came on. The most likely outcome is that both backs make the roster and do most of their damage on special teams, including work as the primary kick returners.
In Other News...
Ravens Linebacker Depth Suddenly Feels A Lot More Important This Camp
Linebacker depth has become a real talking point in Ravens camp, and Baltimore moved quickly to add another body to the room by signing Jamon Johnson during training camp. The 24-year-old Maryland native brings a familiar local angle to the roster, along with NFL experience from his time with the Packers and a college path that took him from Georgia to Kentucky.
The move comes as the Ravens deal with injuries and limited preseason availability for some of their other linebackers, which has made every practice rep matter a little more. For a team that usually expects to be built on defense, adding Johnson is less about splash and more about keeping the position stable while camp keeps grinding forward. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Backfield Battle Behind Derrick Henry Is Suddenly Worth Watching
Training camp has a way of sorting out depth charts quickly, but Adam Randall has made Baltimores backfield picture a little more interesting behind Derrick Henry. The rookie has flashed enough versatility to draw positive attention, with his size, receiving ability and speed standing out as traits that could translate in a hurry if the Ravens decide he can handle more than just a limited role.
Jesse Minter has also noticed the way Randall has fit into the mix, which only adds to the intrigue around a backup job that is not settled yet. Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali are in the same conversation, but Randalls emergence gives Baltimore another candidate to consider as the team keeps sorting out who can best spell Henry when the games start to matter. [Read more 🡒]
Zay Flowers Injury Scare Leaves Ravens Waiting On A Crucial Answer
Zay Flowers gave the Ravens a scare during a 7-on-7 drill at training camp when the wide receiver came up with a leg injury and had to be checked by team trainers. The play briefly sent a ripple through practice, with Flowers favoring his left leg as he moved off the field, a reminder of how quickly camp can shift from routine reps to something more urgent for a team counting on its top playmakers.
Flowers was able to leave under his own power, which at least offered some initial relief as Baltimore waited for a clearer read on the situation. Coach Jesse Minter was expected to address the injury after practice, and the Ravens will be watching closely for what it means for a receiver who has become a crucial part of their offense. [Read more 🡒]