Chandler Rivers is already forcing the Ravens to notice him.
The fifth-round cornerback entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a label that followed him all the way to Baltimore: one of the biggest steals in the class. The knock was obvious enough on paper - he’s 5-foot-9 - but the Ravens clearly saw something sturdier than size. They got a player with real edge, real competitiveness, and a knack for showing up when the ball is in the air.
That showed up in Baltimore’s Week 2 preseason win over Minnesota.
Rivers finished third on the team with five combined tackles, but the numbers only tell part of the story. What stood out was how often he made himself part of the action in coverage and as a blitzer. He logged 0.5 sacks and a pass breakup, and both plays felt like the kind that can start changing a rookie’s standing fast.
The breakup came against Vikings receiver Myles Price, and it was a clean rep from start to finish. Rivers didn’t panic, didn’t overreact, and didn’t need to waste motion finding the football.
He trusted his feel for the route, got through Price’s hands, and made the play at the right moment. For a young corner trying to carve out a role, that’s the kind of snap that gets coaches leaning in.
The sack contribution may have said even more about what he brings. Rivers fought his way past Minnesota running back Zavier Scott and helped bring down quarterback Max Brosmer on a drive-killing play.
For a smaller corner, that kind of effort matters. It’s not just about being around the ball - it’s about refusing to get washed out of the play.
Pro Football Focus rewarded the outing with an 84.6 overall grade, including a 90.0 coverage grade. Through two games, Rivers is sitting on an 89.1 PFF grade.
That production matters even more because Baltimore’s cornerback situation leaves room for a player to rise. The room has potential to bounce back under head coach Jesse Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, but the Ravens didn’t make any upgrades to the starting group, and Rivers was the only real addition they made this offseason.
There is still a logjam of sorts at slot corner, where Rivers is expected to see snaps. Marlon Humphrey is the likely starter there, and Keyon Martin is pushing hard for a spot in the mix.
Even so, Rivers has already done enough to make sure he won’t be brushed aside. He’s putting his name into the conversation, and he’s doing it with plays the Ravens can’t ignore.
In Other News...
Ravens Suddenly Have A Much Bigger Receiver Problem Than Expected
The Ravens were already navigating questions about their receiver room, and Rashod Batemans situation only adds another layer of uncertainty. Baltimore has spent draft capital trying to find more help at the position, but the offense still has been searching for a true difference-maker to pair with its core and give the passing game more consistent juice.
Now Bateman is facing three family violence charges in Georgia, and the NFL is investigating the matter, leaving the team to weigh a legal issue on top of the usual concerns about his health, performance and fit. For a receiver group that was already under the microscope, the timing makes the broader problem feel even more urgent, and it leaves Baltimore waiting to see how much of its plan at the position can actually hold together. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Rookie Receivers Just Faced A Real Test In This WR Battle
JaKobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt have spent Ravens training camp and the preseason trying to turn promise into something more concrete, and both got another chance to show where they fit in the receiver mix during Baltimores win over the Minnesota Vikings. Neither rookie was a headline-grabber in that game, but the bigger picture remains encouraging for a pair of young pass catchers still working to earn trust in an offense that values every useful target it can find.
Lane was on the field for 17 offensive snaps and finished with one catch, while Sarratt played six snaps and also came away with one reception. For a pair of rookies in a crowded evaluation period, the lack of production was a reminder that opportunities are still limited, but Baltimore has seen enough from both to keep them in the conversation as potential contributors when the chances become more consistent. [Read more 🡒]
Rashod Bateman Just Put Ravens Receiver Depth Under A Spotlight
Rashod Bateman has become a name to watch again, and not just in Baltimore. After the Texans lost one of their receivers to injury, they reportedly explored the possibility of a deal for Bateman, a reminder that the Ravens pass-catching depth is suddenly getting viewed through a wider NFL lens. For Baltimore, it is another sign that a receiver group still trying to find its cleanest shape is going to draw interest if the right team sees a fit.
What happens next may come down to how the Ravens feel about their younger wideouts and whether they want to keep Bateman in the fold as the roster settles. His recent legal issues and uneven production add another layer to the conversation, even as Baltimore continues to get positive recognition elsewhere, with Kyle Hamilton landing among The Athletics top players 25 and under and Pro Football Focus flagging both optimism and concern around the roster and coaching changes heading toward 2026. [Read more 🡒]