The Baltimore Ravens had a very strong showing in the 2026 NFL Draft. You kind of expect that from them every year. And when you have 11 picks, you’re going to get a ton of value, and they got just that.
Baltimore filled almost every need they had going into the draft, with pretty much the only exception being the center spot. They weren’t able to get the starting center they hoped to leave the weekend with. However, maybe that was a blessing in disguise, as they were able to get the best bang for their buck. There’s an influx of talent coming through that door.
As a result, some veterans currently on the roster will be challenged for their jobs. If some of these rookies impress the coaching staff early on, they could move those veterans down the depth chart.
Baltimore Ravens’ 2026 NFL Draft additions could spell trouble for veteran contributors
Durham Smythe
Durham Smythe was once sitting in a very lonely tight end room. After the Ravens lost Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in free agency, Smythe signed and became the only backup to Mark Andrews. Things have changed now.
Baltimore drafted not one, but two, tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft. They traded up to select Matthew Hibner in the fourth round, and then in the fifth round, they added another tight end in the form of Josh Cuevas. Smythe was never going to be a consistent backup option in passing situations, but he could quickly be passed by the young talent.
Smythe is probably still going to be the go-to blocking tight end. He’s made a living off that, and rejoins offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, whom he played under with the Chicago Bears in 2025. Still, Cuevas, who can seemingly do it all, may have something to say about that. Smythe may suddenly fall to the bottom of the depth chart.
Andrew Vorhees
Andrew Vorhees is off the starting unit. It felt like that was bound to happen heading into the offseason, and the roster moves that have come in recent months push Vorhees into a depth role.
In free agency, Baltimore signed John Simpson, but they weren’t done there. With their first-round pick, they selected Vega Ioane, who immediately slots in as the starter opposite of Simpson. Even worse news for Vorhees, he will not be alone fighting to be the lead backup role.
It will be tough for Vorhees; he’s not immediately going to be the go-to backup if Ioane and Simpson can’t suit up. It’ll take some work. He’ll likely go up against Emery Jones Jr. for those duties, and even versatile offensive linemen like Corey Bullock, Danny Pinter, and Jovaughn Gwyn could find themselves in the mix at guard if the center competition doesn’t work out in their favor.
Broderick Washington Jr.
It feels like we’re just sitting and waiting for the announcement of Broderick Washington Jr. being cut. It’s not a certainty, but given his poor performance in recent years and the fact that cutting him would create just over $4 million in cap savings, letting him go feels like an obvious choice.
The Ravens have added some talent to the interior defensive line, too. They drafted Rayshaun Benny, who, while a seventh-round selection, does have a relationship with Jesse Minter from the time they shared at Michigan from 2022 to 2023. The team also signed Calais Campbell, which certainly places a key contributor ahead of Washington on the depth chart.
At this point, the defensive front is getting crowded, and Washington should be the first to go whenever Baltimore starts to make those tough roster decisions.
Tavius Robinson
Let’s get one thing straight. Tavius Robinson is going to get his fair share of playing time in 2026. He’s a solid pass rusher who also does a darn good job at setting the edge. The talent on the defensive line, which was utterly abysmal in 2025, has grown significantly, though. He is probably going to lose out on a good chunk of reps.
The biggest competition to Robinson might be second-round pick Zion Young. Like Robinson, Young is a stout run defender and provides some juice as a pass rusher. The two are listed at pretty much the same size, too; Robinson at 6-foot-6, 262 pounds, and Young at 6-foot-5, 262 pounds. Simply put, Young’s a clear threat to Robinson’s snaps.
And yes, Robinson’s versatility to play on both the inside and outside will keep him in the rotation, but even that could be challenged a bit. The addition of Calais Campbell brings in a proven veteran who can make noise as a pass rusher and run defender. So while yes, the opportunities will still be there for Robinson, you may start to see them dwindle just a bit, especially if Young starts off on a high note.
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