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The Baltimore Ravens entered the offseason facing the challenge that accompanies every championship contender.
Improve a talented roster without disrupting the foundation that made the team successful. General manager Eric DeCosta responded by reshaping key portions of the roster, adding veteran pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, rebuilding the receiver room through the draft, and hiring Declan Doyle to coordinate an offense built around Lamar Jackson's unique skill set. On defense, Jesse Minter returned to Baltimore with a reputation for maximizing versatility and creating pressure through scheme as much as personnel.
The changes should benefit several established Ravens veterans entering the 2026 season. Here are five players positioned to gain the most from Baltimore's offseason overhaul.
No player stands to benefit more from the offseason changes than Jackson.
The two-time NFL MVP enters one of the most important seasons of his career after injuries limited him to 13 games in 2025. Even while missing four contests, Jackson still completed another productive campaign, throwing for 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while posting a 103.8 passer rating. The numbers remained strong.
The larger objective is unlocking even more. Baltimore hired Declan Doyle to modernize portions of the offense and to create a more collaborative relationship with Jackson. The quarterback has already spoken positively about the new system, calling it a "breath of fresh air" and praising Doyle's willingness to involve him in the offense.
The additions of Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt also provide Jackson with two large-bodied receivers capable of winning contested catches, an area Baltimore clearly prioritized during the draft. For a quarterback who already ranks among the league's most efficient playmakers, improved personnel and a new offensive voice could elevate the passing game to another level.
Andrews appeared headed toward free agency before Baltimore committed to him with a three-year extension worth $39.3 million. The deal reinforced his importance to the organization while providing stability at a position that experienced significant turnover this offseason. Isaiah Likely departed for the Giants, and Charlie Kolar signed with the Chargers, leaving Andrews firmly reestablished as the centerpiece of Baltimore's tight end room.
That matters in Doyle's offense.
Throughout his coaching career, Doyle has consistently emphasized tight end involvement in both the passing and running games. Andrews remains the franchise's all-time leader in receptions and continues to be one of Jackson's most trusted targets in critical situations. The combination of volume, continuity, and scheme fit could produce one of Andrews' most productive seasons in recent memory.
Henry is coming off another dominant season and now enters an offensive structure that appears even better suited to his skill set.
The future Hall of Famer once again surpassed 1,500 rushing yards and remained one of the league's most physically imposing runners. Baltimore's offseason moves suggest the organization remains committed to building the offense around physicality and efficiency.
Doyle's system should help.
The Ravens continue investing heavily in tight ends, offensive line depth, and versatile personnel packages designed to create favorable running lanes. Baltimore also added Adam Randall as a hybrid offensive weapon, providing additional schematic flexibility.
The more balanced and unpredictable the offense becomes, the more difficult it will be for defenses to commit extra resources to stopping Henry. That reality could allow the veteran running back to remain among the league's production leaders despite entering his ninth NFL season.
Hamilton already established himself as one of football's most versatile defenders. Minter's arrival creates an opportunity for him to become even more impactful.
Minter's recent work with Derwin James helped transform the Chargers' star defender into one of the NFL's most dynamic chess pieces. Hamilton possesses a similarly unique skill set, with the ability to align at safety, nickel cornerback, linebacker, and edge rusher depending on the situation.
Baltimore already deploys Hamilton in multiple roles. Minter's aggressive approach and creativity should only expand those responsibilities. The Ravens have consistently referred to Hamilton as a positionless defender, and Minter's history suggests he is uniquely qualified to maximize that versatility.
If Baltimore's defense returns to elite status, Hamilton will likely be at the center of it.
Few Ravens players have more to gain from the coaching transition than Humphrey. After rebounding from a difficult 2023 season to earn All-Pro honors in 2024, Humphrey endured another challenging campaign in 2025. The veteran cornerback posted the lowest Pro Football Focus grade of his career while struggling in coverage and missing tackles at an uncharacteristically high rate. The Ravens believe there is still more football left in him.
Minter's arrival could help unlock it. The new head coach has a long history with Humphrey and understands how to best deploy his strengths. Baltimore also strengthened the secondary around him, adding depth and versatility that should reduce the burden on individual defenders.
The presence of Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, and Jaylinn Hawkins gives the Ravens more flexibility in coverage structures, potentially allowing Humphrey to operate in more favorable situations.
A bounce-back season is far from guaranteed. But among Baltimore's veteran defenders, Humphrey may be the player best positioned to benefit from the changes surrounding him.
The Ravens entered the offseason focused on maximizing a championship window built around Jackson.
The additions of Doyle, Minter, Hendrickson, and a promising rookie class should help accomplish that goal. Just as important, those moves place several established veterans in situations where their strengths can be emphasized and their production potentially elevated as Baltimore pursues another deep postseason run.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 5 Ravens veterans positioned to benefit most from offseason changes
Continue reading...
Improve a talented roster without disrupting the foundation that made the team successful. General manager Eric DeCosta responded by reshaping key portions of the roster, adding veteran pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, rebuilding the receiver room through the draft, and hiring Declan Doyle to coordinate an offense built around Lamar Jackson's unique skill set. On defense, Jesse Minter returned to Baltimore with a reputation for maximizing versatility and creating pressure through scheme as much as personnel.
The changes should benefit several established Ravens veterans entering the 2026 season. Here are five players positioned to gain the most from Baltimore's offseason overhaul.
1. Lamar Jackson, quarterback
No player stands to benefit more from the offseason changes than Jackson.
The two-time NFL MVP enters one of the most important seasons of his career after injuries limited him to 13 games in 2025. Even while missing four contests, Jackson still completed another productive campaign, throwing for 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while posting a 103.8 passer rating. The numbers remained strong.
The larger objective is unlocking even more. Baltimore hired Declan Doyle to modernize portions of the offense and to create a more collaborative relationship with Jackson. The quarterback has already spoken positively about the new system, calling it a "breath of fresh air" and praising Doyle's willingness to involve him in the offense.
The additions of Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt also provide Jackson with two large-bodied receivers capable of winning contested catches, an area Baltimore clearly prioritized during the draft. For a quarterback who already ranks among the league's most efficient playmakers, improved personnel and a new offensive voice could elevate the passing game to another level.
2. Mark Andrews, tight end
Andrews appeared headed toward free agency before Baltimore committed to him with a three-year extension worth $39.3 million. The deal reinforced his importance to the organization while providing stability at a position that experienced significant turnover this offseason. Isaiah Likely departed for the Giants, and Charlie Kolar signed with the Chargers, leaving Andrews firmly reestablished as the centerpiece of Baltimore's tight end room.
That matters in Doyle's offense.
Throughout his coaching career, Doyle has consistently emphasized tight end involvement in both the passing and running games. Andrews remains the franchise's all-time leader in receptions and continues to be one of Jackson's most trusted targets in critical situations. The combination of volume, continuity, and scheme fit could produce one of Andrews' most productive seasons in recent memory.
3. Derrick Henry, running back
Henry is coming off another dominant season and now enters an offensive structure that appears even better suited to his skill set.
The future Hall of Famer once again surpassed 1,500 rushing yards and remained one of the league's most physically imposing runners. Baltimore's offseason moves suggest the organization remains committed to building the offense around physicality and efficiency.
Doyle's system should help.
The Ravens continue investing heavily in tight ends, offensive line depth, and versatile personnel packages designed to create favorable running lanes. Baltimore also added Adam Randall as a hybrid offensive weapon, providing additional schematic flexibility.
The more balanced and unpredictable the offense becomes, the more difficult it will be for defenses to commit extra resources to stopping Henry. That reality could allow the veteran running back to remain among the league's production leaders despite entering his ninth NFL season.
4. Kyle Hamilton, defensive back
Hamilton already established himself as one of football's most versatile defenders. Minter's arrival creates an opportunity for him to become even more impactful.
Minter's recent work with Derwin James helped transform the Chargers' star defender into one of the NFL's most dynamic chess pieces. Hamilton possesses a similarly unique skill set, with the ability to align at safety, nickel cornerback, linebacker, and edge rusher depending on the situation.
Baltimore already deploys Hamilton in multiple roles. Minter's aggressive approach and creativity should only expand those responsibilities. The Ravens have consistently referred to Hamilton as a positionless defender, and Minter's history suggests he is uniquely qualified to maximize that versatility.
If Baltimore's defense returns to elite status, Hamilton will likely be at the center of it.
5. Marlon Humphrey, cornerback
Few Ravens players have more to gain from the coaching transition than Humphrey. After rebounding from a difficult 2023 season to earn All-Pro honors in 2024, Humphrey endured another challenging campaign in 2025. The veteran cornerback posted the lowest Pro Football Focus grade of his career while struggling in coverage and missing tackles at an uncharacteristically high rate. The Ravens believe there is still more football left in him.
Minter's arrival could help unlock it. The new head coach has a long history with Humphrey and understands how to best deploy his strengths. Baltimore also strengthened the secondary around him, adding depth and versatility that should reduce the burden on individual defenders.
The presence of Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, and Jaylinn Hawkins gives the Ravens more flexibility in coverage structures, potentially allowing Humphrey to operate in more favorable situations.
A bounce-back season is far from guaranteed. But among Baltimore's veteran defenders, Humphrey may be the player best positioned to benefit from the changes surrounding him.
Final analysis
The Ravens entered the offseason focused on maximizing a championship window built around Jackson.
The additions of Doyle, Minter, Hendrickson, and a promising rookie class should help accomplish that goal. Just as important, those moves place several established veterans in situations where their strengths can be emphasized and their production potentially elevated as Baltimore pursues another deep postseason run.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 5 Ravens veterans positioned to benefit most from offseason changes
Continue reading...
