Baltimore’s preseason opener on Saturday night brings the first real look at a rookie class that could matter quickly.
The Ravens will host the Philadelphia Eagles to open their exhibition schedule, and while most of the established names are expected to stay on the sideline, the younger players should get a chance to make noise. Baltimore drafted 11 players, and a few of them already look ready to turn camp buzz into game action.
Ja’Kobi Lane is the easiest place to start. The third-round pick has been the headline act of Ravens training camp, stacking one spectacular catch after another.
At 6-foot-4, he has the kind of frame and athleticism that can light up a screen, and if Saturday goes the way Baltimore hopes, Lane should show off the contested catches and red-zone ability that made him such an intriguing fit. The Ravens have been looking for that sort of weapon throughout the Lamar Jackson era, and training camp suggests Lane can bring it.
Vega Ioane should also draw plenty of attention. The first-round guard is expected to help reshape Baltimore’s interior offensive line, and that alone makes his debut worth watching.
Last season, the guard pairing of Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees was a major issue for the Ravens, and Ioane arrives as a blue-chip pass protector with a chance to steady that spot. He has already stood out in camp, and a solid preseason showing would only deepen the optimism around what he can do for Lamar’s protection.
Zion Young brings a different kind of edge. The second-round pick is listed as the backup SAM linebacker behind Tavius Robinson, but his game is built to pop in this setting.
He was a force against the run in college and finished his final year with 16.5 tackles for loss. He can also get after the quarterback, and the energy he plays with fits the Ravens’ mold.
Preseason should give him room to flash in both phases, and he has the chance to make his presence felt early.
Then there’s Adam Randall, who may be positioned for the busiest night of the group. The fifth-round pick is currently the Ravens’ fourth-string running back, but his pass-catching skill set gives him a path to situational work.
With Derrick Henry out, Jeff Zrebiec reporting that it is unlikely Justice Hill will play, and Rasheen Ali dealing with an injury, Randall could see a heavy workload. The former wide receiver turned running back brings size, strength and receiving ability, and with touches available, he has a real shot to show what he can do.
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Lane is not running away with anything yet, though, and the next step will be proving it when the games start counting in a different way. Baltimore wants more than training-camp buzz from its young receivers, and preseason work will be the real measuring stick as Lane tries to turn a promising summer into a secure role. [Read more 🡒]