The Ravens got a promising first look at their secondary in Week 1, but the real test is waiting in Week 2. New Orleans brings a far different challenge, and it starts with Chris Olave.
Baltimore’s corners - Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins - were excellent in the opener, yet the matchup in Indianapolis didn’t ask nearly as much of them as this one will. Alec Pierce was dealing with a heel injury, and Josh Downs is a solid piece, but not the kind of receiver who forces a defense to show its full hand. Olave is.
The Saints wideout arrived in 2026 with plenty of momentum. He signed a four-year deal worth up to $132 million this offseason, then opened the year with 10 catches for 182 yards against the Detroit Lions. He’s listed as questionable for Week 2, but is trending toward playing.
That matters because Olave is exactly the kind of receiver that can tell you whether a secondary is actually back. He’s coming off a career year in 2025, when he earned second-team All-Pro honors after piling up 100 receptions, 1,163 yards and 9 touchdowns. He’s also off to a scorching start in the new season, averaging 18.2 yards per catch.
And if you want the most alarming number, there’s this: last week, Olave averaged 3.3 yards of separation.
That’s the problem. He can stretch the field, but his route running is what makes him such a headache. Humphrey put it plainly when asked about the challenge on Wednesday.
“Putting a cap on Olave is kind of where it starts,” Humphrey said. “If we can hold him to the lower side of receptions and yards, we have a good chance…Olave’s been the force."
Baltimore does have reason for optimism. Humphrey was the team’s second highest-graded defender in Week 1 with a 92.8 Pro Football Focus grade, while Wiggins was targeted only twice, didn’t allow a catch and added a pass breakup. That’s a strong opening statement.
Still, the Colts were not the Saints. Indianapolis didn’t have a receiver with Olave’s skill set, and Daniel Jones was making his first start back from an Achilles tear. New Orleans’ offense may not be overwhelming, but it should ask more serious questions.
The Ravens also have help behind their corners. Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks and Jaylinn Hawkins give Jesse Minter plenty of options to disguise coverage and build some tricky looks for opposing quarterbacks. Baltimore leaned on a three-safety structure in Week 1, and that same kind of setup can help keep explosive plays in check.
So yes, the Ravens looked sharp early. But this is the matchup that can show whether that improvement is real.
If Humphrey and Wiggins keep building on what they showed against the Colts, Baltimore has a chance to hold its own. If not, Olave is the kind of receiver who can expose the cracks in a hurry.
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