OTL: Eyes Forward in an Offseason of Change

The Ravens enter what will inevitably be a season of huge change, and we’re all hoping that they’ll emerge on the other side a better team for it. Moving on from John Harbaugh was a necessary change, but it’s only part of what needed to be done to get them back on the right track. Not only do they now need to navigate the hiring process with the right candidates and combination of coordinators…

They’ll interview Chargers DC Jesse Minter later this week. They can talk to 49ers DC Robert Saleh and Bills OC Joe Brady as early as Wednesday. They can interview Rams assistants Tuesday. https://t.co/3KewO8mzma

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 12, 2026

Former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel will interview this week for the Browns, Falcons, Titans and Ravens head coaching jobs, per sources.

McDaniel also is scheduled to interview for the Lions OC job. One of the NFL’s top offensive minds is in high demand. pic.twitter.com/haYxcZg4sq

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 12, 2026

…but they also need to figure out how to fill some of the obvious holes in positions of need on their roster.

How do the Chiefs, Ravens and Bengals reopen their Super Bowl windows? For the Ravens, it starts with hiring a new coach.
But what else do you have to do this offseason? https://t.co/6sNBggtotG pic.twitter.com/qRjdEEHETK

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 9, 2026

The last time we picked at 14 we got #14

Who’s the next @kyledhamilton_? pic.twitter.com/ngJItsPsYJ

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 12, 2026

I wouldn’t hold your breath on the Ravens swinging for the fences to try to acquire a player like Maxx Crosby. As much as we’d all love to see it, the cap situation in Baltimore will take some work if they want to land a premier free agent or an elite trade target, and the first step for that would likely be working out an extension with Lamar Jackson. I have every bit of confidence that those conversations have been ongoing and that the team wanted to sort out some of the coaching situation before putting pen to paper with LJ, but the huge number due on Lamar’s current deal ($74.5 million cap hit next season) means that trying to keep players like Tyler Linderbaum in house would be exceedingly difficult, so the extension becomes paramount.

In the meantime, if they can’t pay veteran money or afford free agents, the next logical step becomes looking at youth, so the Draft becomes the point of focus. The past few weekends, a few of the teams in the College Football Playoff have showcased names that you’ll hear discussed as possible targets for the Ravens in the spring, and the National Championship game between Indiana and Miami will be no exception. Baltimore has paid several visits to the recently eliminated Oregon Ducks, so I wouldn’t be surprised if OG Emmanual Pregnon and DT A’Mauri Washington are on their wish lists, but there are some big names that could jump off the page for both the Hoosiers and Hurricanes come Monday.

Elijah Sarratt is going to make some team very happy early in round 2.

Physical as hell and wins at the catch point through contact more often than not.
pic.twitter.com/ikTAkO8Scg

— Dynasty FF Wolf (@DynastyFFWolf) January 10, 2026

Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. is currently sitting on consecutive seasons with a TD rate > 20.0%. His passer rating when targeted entering the Oregon game was at an elite 143.90. Cooper is a plus athlete and plus route runner who is dynamic with the ball in his hands. Excited to see… pic.twitter.com/5NZMyJUGGC

— Adam Carter (@impactfbdata) January 10, 2026

Akheem Mesidor would easily be a 1st round pick if it weren’t for his age pic.twitter.com/vYk5X7kmfS

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 2, 2026

While I firmly believe that Baltimore’s top priority should be the O-line, particularly on the interior, they also need to figure out some solutions with their pass rush, and, unfortunately, will likely need to be in the market for another wide receiver with some of the contract situations from this past season’s group. Miami’s Rueben Bain is among the top projected picks this coming Draft, so he’s likely not going to be available for the Ravens to take, but his running mate in Akheem Mesidor could be in consideration in the later rounds. Meanwhile, Indiana’s receiving duo of Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt could both be in play if Baltimore chooses to go after a receiver in the first half of the Draft.

Pieces need to fall into place in their order, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t look ahead to figure out what needs to be done. In my mind, the top priorities would be to sort out the coaching staff, while at the same time, negotiating an extension with Lamar if he’s open to discussing numbers while the staff is still in flux. After those get sorted, you figure out what veterans you can reasonably target at positions of need (I’d focus on a Guard) before you build your Draft board and attack from there. In pursuing veterans, it would be a good idea to see if there are expiring contracts or veterans with big numbers that could be shipped away to sweeten the pot in these deals to get younger and more frugal with the overall cap hit.

It can be done, but for now, we’ll have to see what this offseason looks like one step at a time.

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/01/13/out-to-lunch/offseason-change/