The Ravens have spent the offseason changing plenty of the conversation around them. The interior offensive line got rebuilt, the pass rush got a makeover, and almost the entire coaching staff was turned over. With the new coaches came a fresh offensive scheme, while the defense spent camp focused on the finer points.
That overhaul has created plenty of buzz around Baltimore, especially with young names like Ja’Kobi Lane and Mike Green popping in training camp and undrafted players Joe Fagnano and Ethan Burke making enough of a preseason impression to push for roster spots. But as Week 1 approaches, there are a few Ravens who haven’t gotten nearly enough attention.
One of them is Justice Hill.
Baltimore’s backfield chatter has centered on Derrick Henry, owner Steve Bisciotti’s personal draft pick Adam Randall, and on-the-bubble runner Rasheen Ali. Hill has mostly been left out of the discussion, even though he’s still a real part of this offense.
He missed the second half of the 2025 season with a neck injury, which helped push him into the background, but since 2023 he has averaged 4.8 yards per carry and 8.3 yards per reception. That kind of efficiency matters, and it’s why he looks set to keep his role as the Ravens’ third-down back.
Henry is going to handle most of the work on the ground, but offensive coordinator Declan Doyle should have plenty of chances to use Hill on screens and isolation routes against linebackers. If Hill stays efficient, protects Jackson in the pocket, and delivers when called on, he can be an important piece of the 2026 offense.
Travis Jones belongs in the same underrated conversation on defense.
He was Baltimore’s second-best defender last season behind Kyle Hamilton and was the one stabilizing force on the defensive line whenever he was out there. Yet the headlines have gone elsewhere, with Trey Hendrickson’s arrival and Nnamdi Madubuike’s return drawing most of the attention. The Ravens’ more athletic, stat-friendly edge rushers have taken up the spotlight, and Jones has been easy to overlook.
That could work in Baltimore’s favor. If offenses are locked in on the bigger names, Jones may find himself in more one-on-one matchups, with blockers trying to survive long enough rather than win outright. He’s already sharpened his pass-rush package after a few years in the league, and that should help him keep collapsing pockets.
The Ravens should also be in better shape around him this year. Calais Campbell and Broderick Washington are back, which should take some pressure off Jones after he logged a massive 70% defensive snap share and 889 total snaps last season.
In Other News...
Ravens May Need More From Calais Campbell Than They Planned
Calais Campbell was brought to Baltimore with a clear role in mind, and the early-season picture may already be pushing that plan. After playing all 17 games for the Cardinals last season, the veteran defensive tackle is expected to be part of the Ravens rotation in a meaningful way, and his experience has become even more valuable with Nnamdi Madubuike likely unavailable for the season opener. For a defense that is already bracing for some personnel shuffling, Campbell offers the kind of steady presence that can help keep the front on track.
Campbell and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver had mapped out a workload of around 400 snaps for the season, but the opener could require more from him right away. The Ravens have plenty of reasons to lean on his consistency and versatility, especially if the line has to absorb an early hit without one of its key pieces. Baltimore does not need Campbell to carry the defense, but it may need him to do a little more than planned while the group settles in. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Secondary Suddenly Has A New Kind Of Stability
Jaylinn Hawkins arrived in Baltimore on a two-year, $10 million deal after his time with the Patriots, and he has quickly carved out a real role in the Ravens' secondary. Playing alongside Malaki Starks, Hawkins has helped give the defense a steadier feel, while also giving Kyle Hamilton more freedom to move around and influence the game in different ways.
For a unit looking to settle in under new head coach Jesse Minter, that kind of versatility matters. Hawkins has talked about wanting to bring energy to the team and the city, and the Ravens have already seen how his presence can help anchor a back end that needs dependable pieces to keep everything connected. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Suddenly Have A Delicate Week 1 Decision On The Line
A late-summer injury shuffle has pushed the Ravens into a surprisingly delicate call up front, with coach Jesse Minter announcing Jovaughn Gwyn as the Week 1 starting center. It will be Gwyns first NFL start, and the timing says plenty about how quickly the depth chart changed after Danny Pinter was ruled out for the season and Ethan Pocic continued working his way back from injury.
Baltimore has other moving pieces to track as opening week approaches, too. Defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike is making progress in his recovery and could be in the mix for Week 1, while kicker Tyler Loop has apparently sharpened his performance since Jake Moody was added to the practice squad. The Ravens are still sorting out the edges of the roster, and the next few days should show how much of that emergency planning turns into a real early-season lineup. [Read more 🡒]