The first week of Ravens training camp gave Baltimore fans a real taste of what this 2026 roster might become, and a handful of players wasted no time making themselves impossible to ignore.
Saturday’s special practice at the University of Maryland’s SECU Stadium in College Park closed out the week, and the biggest buzz came from a group that mixed rookies, young receivers and a few defenders who are already forcing their way into the conversation. With pads set to come on Monday, the early work has offered a clean snapshot of who is already separating.
Ja’Kobi Lane has been one of the loudest names in camp so far. The third-round rookie wideout from USC has looked every bit the big-bodied target Baltimore hoped for, using his 6-foot-4 frame and catch radius to make life difficult for defenders right away.
His best moment came during the second practice, when he soared over Marlon Humphrey and Malakai Sharks for a spectacular catch during 7-on-7 work. Lamar Jackson has shown clear confidence in the rookie, and Head Coach Jesse Minter made it plain why that matters.
"I think Ja'Kobi is a confident player and I think a lot of guys that are picked are confident players. The confidence has to come [when you] do it day after day, period after period. Then the teammates gain confidence in them when they do that,” said Head Coach Jesse Minter.
Lane is fighting for the WR3 spot with Devontez Walker and fellow rookie Elijah Sarrat, and if he keeps stacking days like this, he’ll keep forcing his way into that mix.
Walker, though, has been just as steady. He carried over his OTA momentum and started camp by winning contested catches and working over the middle.
On the second day, he turned a crossing route into a 60-yard touchdown after shaking off a couple defenders, another reminder that the connection between him and Jackson is growing. With four touchdowns on seven career catches, Walker has already shown he can do damage when the ball comes his way.
The offensive line has had its own early bright spot in Vega Ioane, the 2026 first-round pick who has settled in smoothly at starting right guard. At 6-foot-4 and 326 pounds, Ioane has taken a steady stream of first-team reps and has looked the part in individual work, while continuing to sharpen his technique.
He’s also flashed in space, getting upfield on runs and screen plays. So far, he hasn’t allowed a sack or committed a pre-snap penalty in team drills, though the real test is still ahead once the pads come on and the physical side of the job gets turned up.
On defense, Tavius Robinson has been one of the more reliable standouts. The fourth-year edge rusher has made his presence felt in a group that had a slow start overall, and he has looked comfortable in the Anthony Weaver/Jesse Minter scheme.
On the first day, he beat tight end Durham Smythe on a block that would have set up a tackle for loss in live action. He followed that up with pressure on the quarterback in the second practice.
Robinson’s calling card is still run defense, but he’s showing more as a pass rusher, too, and Cordell Woodland pointed to him as a possible breakout player.
“He could be a potential breakout candidate this year,” said Woodland.
Another defensive player making a strong case is undrafted corner Keyon Martin. He’s taken full advantage of every chance to line up against top receivers, and Friday’s session was his best showing yet.
Martin broke up a pass to Rashod Bateman in the end zone and later knocked away another throw while matched up in man coverage against Devontez Walker. The former tryout player still has plenty to prove, but his coverage ability has already turned him into one of camp’s better stories.
Then there’s Malaki Starks, who looks ready to take a bigger step in year two. Under Jesse Minter’s defense, the safety has been active, fast and around the football.
On Friday, he closed out a strong defensive day by intercepting a Lamar Jackson pass in the red zone. He added another pass breakup on Saturday during 7-on-7 work, showing the awareness and burst that made him a 2025 draft pick.
With Kyle Hamilton and free agent addition Jaylinn Hawkins in the room, Baltimore’s safety group looks loaded for the long haul.
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