The Ravens spent their preseason opener keeping the playbook as plain as possible, but even in a stripped-down look there were enough clues to make Saturday’s game in Minnesota worth watching closely.
The biggest one starts under center. Baltimore leaned hard into that structure last week, with the young quarterbacks going 13-for-15 passing from under center, the rookie backs averaging 4.22 per rush in those looks, and the Ravens running the ball 30 times from under center compared with just six snaps out of shotgun or pistol.
That is a major departure from what the Lamar Jackson era has looked like in Baltimore, but it fits the approach Declan Doyle comes from. Sean Payton, Doyle’s main football influence, is firmly in that camp, and the expectation here is that the under-center volume only keeps climbing.
That same game also hinted at how Jesse Minter wants to shape the defense. He already uses under-center looks as much as anyone in the league, and while Baltimore didn’t lean on them much last weekend, that may not stay true for long. Minter also brought a little more pressure than he did in two seasons running the Chargers defense, and that could mean more slot blitzes Saturday, especially with reserve safety Keondre Jackson in the mix.
Then there’s rookie receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, who keeps making himself impossible to ignore. He has already stood out in joint practices against the Vikings, and his role inside seemed to unlock another level for the offense in the opener.
Last week he played 17 snaps outside and nine in the slot, and that split is worth tracking again. His frame and ability to win on in-cutters fit naturally in the middle of the field, where he ran crossers on five of his 17 routes.
With some chemistry already building between Lane and undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano, there’s reason to think Baltimore may keep looking his way on throws over the middle.
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Ravens Rookie QB Just Forced His Way Into A Real Debate
Joe Fagnano has already done enough in one preseason outing to make the Ravens take a longer look at him. The undrafted rookie out of UConn stood out against a Vic Fangio defense, finishing Week 1 of the preseason with the most completions and passing yards among quarterbacks, a showing that quickly pushed him from afterthought to conversation piece in Baltimores quarterback room.
Now the challenge gets sharper against a Minnesota defense coordinated by Brian Flores, one that is built to pressure young passers and force fast decisions. Ravens coaches Jesse Minter and Declan Doyle have acknowledged the test ahead and expect Fagnano to pick up valuable experience, but his recent performance has already sparked talk about whether he can develop into a backup option worth keeping around. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Camp Just Exposed One Encouraging Sign And One Real Concern
Joint practices with the Vikings gave the Ravens a useful midcamp measuring stick, and they came away with at least one bright spot. Rookie wide receiver JaKobi Lane stood out with a strong showing, while the secondary, led by Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, held up well against Minnesotas top targets and gave Baltimore something to feel good about on the defensive side.
The more troubling takeaway came on the other side of the ball, where the offense looked sluggish and had trouble coping with pressure. Ronnie Stanley had a rough day against the Vikings pass rush, and the unit as a whole struggled when the blitz got home, leaving the Ravens with a reminder that camp progress can be uneven even when a few individual performances pop. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Have Real Roster Decisions Riding On This Preseason Game
The Ravens preseason has become less about scoreboards and more about sorting through the back end of the roster, with Jesse Minter leaning on a cautious plan for veterans while giving rookies and second-year players the bulk of the reps. That approach has already left some notable names on the sideline, even players like Trenton Simpson, as Baltimore uses August to answer a lot of small questions at once.
There is still the kicker spot to sort out, and the injury picture is adding its own pressure, with Danny Pinter likely headed for a season-ending setback. For younger players hoping to make their case, the next preseason game carries real weight, because these snaps are not just about showing up in camp, they are about whether there will be a place for them when the roster gets trimmed. [Read more 🡒]