Mike Preston: These 10 Ravens must improve in 2026

BALTIMORE — If the Ravens want to be classified as serious postseason contenders, start by stringing together more than one playoff win.

That’s pretty much been the franchise’s record since winning the Super Bowl title in 2012. Even back in 2023, when the team had the league’s best regular-season record at 13-4, the Ravens beat the Houston Texans in the AFC divisional round, 34-10, before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, 17-10, in the AFC championship game in Baltimore.

A Super Bowl title? How about they win two straight playoff games first?

The Ravens failed to make the playoffs last season, losing to Pittsburgh, 26-24, in the final regular-season game, but they have a realistic opportunity this season. There are no super teams in the AFC because the top two squads — Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams — are in the NFC.

Even though the Ravens have a rookie coach in Jesse Minter, they have potential because they have exceptional talent at quarterback, running back and on the defensive front seven. But it’s about winning consecutive playoff games, not being just one-and-done.

So today, we take a look at 10 players who need to improve in 2026, and maybe the Ravens can build on the 2-3 playoff record they have posted since 2023. Four of the players are on offense, five are on defense and one is on special teams, but let’s start with the offense:

Rashod Bateman, WR

Will the real Bateman stand up? Please. The 2024 season was supposed to be a breakout year for the former first-round draft pick when he had 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns. Then he disappeared like the wind. Bateman played in 13 games last season and finished with only 19 catches for 224 yards. Last June, the Ravens and Bateman agreed to a three-year extension with $20 million guaranteed. So, what gives? Bateman is only 26 years old and should be in the prime of his life. So far, he has been an enigma. When he is on his game, he might be the best route runner on the roster. For diminutive slot receiver Zay Flowers to be effective, the Ravens need Bateman to be a full-time threat on the outside. As of right now, the Ravens are still waiting.

Devontez Walker, WR

Let’s call him Mr. Enigma Jr. The 2024 third-round pick out of North Carolina once ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds, and we’ve seen flashes of his brilliance, but no consistency. In 2024, he had only one reception for 22 yards, and last season, he had six catches for 136 yards and three touchdowns. Walker has great “get off” moves, and few receivers have his acceleration, but he can get lost on the field. He is another receiver in his prime at age 24 with a 6-foot-1, 198-pound frame. Imagine Walker on the field with Bateman, Flowers and tight end Mark Andrews? This is the third year for Walker. Draft picks usually get four years to show some improvement, so maybe that happens. But then again, maybe not. Second-year receiver LaJohntay Wester played well in the three open practices during organized team activities.

Mark Andrews, TE

The Ravens signed Andrews to a three-year extension worth $39.3 million last December, but it wasn’t out of loyalty. They couldn’t get either backup Isaiah Likely or No. 3 Charlie Kolar to agree to new deals, and both left in free agency. But the Ravens need Andrews, in his ninth season, to improve from a year ago when he had only 48 catches for 422 yards and five touchdowns. We’re all used to seeing him succeed. Regardless, the Ravens need to find a tight end who can block, because the three they had on the roster last season couldn’t knock anyone off the ball. Maybe it will be rookie Matt Hibner or ninth-year veteran Durham Smythe, who has played well during OTAs.

Roger Rosengarten, OT

Rosengarten played well as a rookie in 2024, but he needs to make substantial progress. A year ago, he struggled in almost every phase of the game. Let’s be honest: The Ravens will probably struggle at guard and center. That’s OK, because at least there’s more help available for the interior linemen. It’s different for tackles. Depending on which side the tight end lines up on, tackles are left on an island to block one-on-one. As a rookie, Rosengarten was successful, and he got a lot of help from veteran Ronnie Stanley, who started on the left side. Those two would spend time after practice working on technique. Last season, Rosengarten got beaten by both speed rushers and power. With another year under his belt and a new offensive line coach in Dwayne Ledford, look for an improved Rosengarten this season.

Roquan Smith, MLB

Smith led the team in tackles last season with 130, but it wasn’t a typical year from him. He appeared overweight and sluggish at times, and became he a liability in pass coverage. There were times when he was locked in man coverage 30 yards down the field, and that shouldn’t happen. Smith knocked down only three passes and had just five tackles for loss. Smith is a prideful player, and expectations are that he will rebound this season. Middle linebackers should always know where they are going, and they do so instinctively. So far in OTAs, Smith looks fit and hustles to every drill. He should have a strong rebound from a year ago, even in his ninth season.

Mike Green, OLB

Green appears to have spent a lot of time in the weight room. He looks much more buff now than he did in his rookie season. The idea of Green teaming up with Minter and coordinator Anthony Weaver is intriguing because it puts Green in the same position as former Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, who was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers last October and finished with 7 1/2 sacks after the move. Green is in the same mold. Instead of wasting time asking him to cover a tight end or running back downfield, just let Green go “fetch.” He had 41 tackles last season, including seven for loss. I like him possibly sharing time with Trey Hendrickson in passing situations. Both will be fresh in crunch time, when the Ravens often failed under former coach John Harbaugh.

Nate Wiggins, CB

Early last season, the Ravens used Wiggins to cover the opposing team’s top receiver, but that didn’t happen late in games during the final stretch of 2025. It’s hard to explain why Wiggins didn’t go against Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase or Pittsburgh’s DK Metcalf in big games. He has great size at 6-1 and 182 pounds, which allows him to press up and play man coverage or zone if needed. The physical advantage is of major importance, and Wiggins finished with 76 tackles last season, knocked down 14 passes and had three interceptions. If he continues to improve, the third-year cornerback out of Clemson might be able to shut down at least a quarter of the field. The Ravens haven’t had that type of player in years.

Tavius Robinson, OLB

There aren’t many players who are athletic specimens like Robinson. He is 6-6 and weighs 262 pounds. Last year, he was the classic overachiever. He registered 4 1/2 sacks before he broke a bone in his foot in Week 6, and he didn’t return until Week 15. In three years, he has collected nine sacks, and he should be able to upgrade that outside pass rush with Green and Hendrickson. The Ravens could be on to something special, something that they haven’t had for the past couple of years. I like Robinson against the run, and he should work well with Zion Young, the rookie outside linebacker from Missouri drafted in the second round. The Ravens should have a complete pass rush with the addition of veteran defensive end/tackle Calais Campbell.

Marlon Humphrey, CB

There are a lot of people or fans who are down on Humphrey, but he can still play at a high level if used properly. Humphrey can’t play like he used to, running step for step on the outside with fast receivers, but he is still smart enough to play against any slot receiver or a tight end. I like it when the Ravens use him near the line of scrimmage because he is still one of the best tacklers on the team. He was tied for sixth on the team in tackles with 68 and can bring pressure off the corner on blitzes like safety Kyle Hamilton. Actually, Minter and Weaver need to find a spot for him along with fellow safeties Hamilton, Malaki Starks and Jaylinn Hawkins. He has enough caginess to stage a strong comeback.

Tyler Loop, K

Loop will rebound from last season. He converted on 30 of 34 field-goal attempts as a rookie, and that’s huge in the eyes of former Ravens kicker Matt Stover and kicking coach Randy Brown. Loop missed the 44-yard attempt in the Week 18 loss against Pittsburgh, which eliminated the Ravens (8-9) from playoff contention, but he rushed it. He’ll get a chance to redeem himself. The only problem with Loop has been his poor kickoff attempts. That might have been the result of the Ravens trying to be too cute instead of just putting the ball deep into the end zone for a touchback. His longest field goal was 52 yards.