Which Ravens Draftees Can Make Immediate Impact?

With the 2026 Baltimore Ravens draft class complete, it’s time to take a look at which draft picks can contribute to the roster in year one.

Not every player was drafted with a year-one impact in mind, but some should be able to help out with the efforts in new head coach Jesse Minter’s first season in charge.

Let’s take a look at the draft class from biggest expected year-one impact to smallest.

1. Olavaveiga Ioane, OG

The easiest projection of the group, Ioane slots in as a day-one starter for the Ravens. The team will lean on him heavily to anchor the interior of the offensive line, and if all goes well, should be an NFL All-Rookie Team selection this year.

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2. Zion Young, EDGE

Young’s impact should be felt early, even if it won’t show up on the stat sheet each week. His large frame will allow him to anchor the line and be a disruptor for the players who are more pure pass rushers on defense. While not a high-sack projection, Young is a high-disruption player who should contribute as a rookie on defense.

3. Elijah Sarratt, WR

Probably a bold pick here, as Sarratt was not the first wide receiver the Ravens selected in the draft. However, Sarratt is a bit older than Ja’Kobi Lane, Baltimore’s first pick at WR, and has more overall experience at the position. He should find a role early on as a dependable outside option for quarterback Lamar Jackson.

4. Matthew Hibner, TE

The Ravens made a rare trade up in the draft to select Hibner, which signals they have high hopes for the former Michigan and SMU tight end. Couple that with the fact Hibner has familiarity with Minter from his Michigan days and it is easy to see him finding himself in a sizable role as a rookie.

5. Ryan Eckley, P

Technically, solely off guaranteed roles, Eckley should be second on the list behind Ioane, as he and Ioane are the only draft picks with starting roles already carved out for them. But, Eckley is a punter, so let’s split the difference and put him in the middle of the list.

6. Ja’Kobi Lane, WR

Lane was drafted before Sarratt, but is a year younger with less receiving volume in college. That may lead to Lane taking a bit longer than Sarratt to get going in year one. With 18 touchdowns on 99 catches in college, there is hope Lane could find some red zone snaps as a rookie.

7. Chandler Rivers, CB

The cornerback position in Baltimore is ripe for a backup contributor to step up. With second-year players Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam returning from major injuries, it is not unrealistic for Rivers to find himself on the field on defense in year one.

8. Rayshaun Benny, DT

Having played under Minter at Michigan, Benny comes to Baltimore with more of an “in” than the average seventh-round pick. Pair that with a rather thin defensive tackle room and Broderick Washington recovering from surgery, and it’s not hard to envision defensive reps for Benny in 2026.

9. Josh Cuevas, TE

The second tight end selected by Baltimore in the draft, Cuevas joins the team as a younger prospect than Hibner with fewer games played in college. There are plenty of tight end snaps to go around behind Mark Andrews, but Hibner likely makes more of a first-year impact.

10. Adam Randall, RB

Hand-picked by owner Steve Bisciotti, more eyes will be on Randall than the typical Ravens fifth-round pick. A former wide receiver, Randall’s first full year at running back came last season, so he projects more as a 2027 contributor. He likely finds a special teams role in year one, for as long as Derrick Henry and Justice Hill are healthy, it will be hard for Randall to see the field on offense as a rookie.

11. Evan Beernsten, C

As Baltimore’s final pick in the draft, Beernsten faces an uphill battle to make the final roster. He does, however, play a position at which the team has big questions. He also enters the NFL with loads of playing experience, as he was a seven-year college player who amassed plenty of playing time in college.

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