Ravens 2026 OTA Standouts: Which Young Players Are Emerging Early?
The Ravens' 2026 OTAs are starting to provide a clearer picture of where some of the most intriguing roster battles may be headed. While it is still early in the offseason, Tuesday's practice featured several notable performances from young players looking to carve out larger roles. As a result, this is a useful time to identify which names are beginning to separate themselves from the pack. The pass rush, secondary, and offensive depth chart all featured players who made an impression and turned a routine spring workout into a more revealing session.
LaJohntay Wester continues to look comfortable in his second season, and that matters because Baltimore appears to have a defined role in mind for him. He entered the day with a strong hold on the team's primary punt returner role and an inside track to the fourth receiver spot, and he backed that up with another steady performance. Wester has earned praise for his dependable hands, burst, and playmaking ability, and on Tuesday, he added a pair of deep receptions, including one on a strong throw from Skylar Thompson. Those types of plays reinforce why the Ravens seem to trust him early and why he could be in line for a larger offensive role if he continues stacking productive practices.
On the defensive side, Zion Young turned in one of the most eye-catching performances of the day. The rookie second-round pick showed power and quickness along the interior defensive line, and his ability to disrupt plays stood out even in a non-padded setting. He broke through for what would have been a hard hit as the quarterback stepped up in the pocket, then later beat his blocker inside to blow up a screen and get a hand on another pass. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver's comment that Young has been "as good as advertised" aligns with the impact he has already begun to make, especially with his physical style showing up immediately.
Mike Green also gave the Ravens plenty of reasons to take notice. He opened 11-on-11 work with what would have been a sack and consistently found ways to pressure Lamar Jackson throughout the session. Later in the same series, Green chased Jackson as the quarterback attempted to escape the pocket and eventually closed from behind for another pressure that likely would have ended the play. Jackson managed to shake free and connect with Devontez Walker on a difficult cross-field throw, but Green's motor and closing speed remained evident throughout the drill. For a young edge defender, that type of effort can go a long way toward building trust with the coaching staff.
Keondre Jackson may have been the biggest winner among the defensive backs. The second-year safety nearly intercepted an overthrown pass from Skylar Thompson before coming back later to secure a takeaway. He also broke up a deep pass, displaying the range and reaction skills that can make a player valuable beyond special teams. Jackson already established himself as a contributor in the kicking game last season, but Tuesday's practice suggested he may be making a push for additional defensive snaps as well. That kind of growth can be significant for a roster that values versatility and dependable depth.
Aeneas Peebles also capitalized on the extra opportunities available to him along the defensive line. With several linemen sidelined, Peebles received additional reps and made one count by bursting through the middle for a sack on Jackson. Even in a practice setting, plays like that matter because they demonstrate a player's ability to handle increased responsibility. For the Ravens, the larger offseason question remains which young players can be trusted when the lineup gets thin and who can turn a strong spring into a meaningful role once the games begin to count.
That is what makes this storyline so compelling right now. The Ravens are not trying to solve every roster question in June, but they are learning a great deal about which players are prepared to handle more responsibility. Wester looks steady and increasingly reliable, Young and Green are flashing defensive upside, Jackson is making a case for a role beyond special teams, and Peebles is showing he can take advantage of expanded opportunities. Those are exactly the kinds of developments that make OTAs worth watching because they offer the first real clues about how Baltimore's depth chart may take shape over the next few months.
