It’s going to be hard for the Baltimore Ravens to live up to the standard they’ve set for themselves. The team utterly dominated the Philadelphia Eagles in their preseason opener, kicking off the Jesse Minter era in tremendous fashion.
Now, it’s time for Week 2 of preseason action. The Ravens are taking on the Minnesota Vikings. After a fast start, this roster has done a lot of impressing, but not much separating—the players are pushing each other to the limit.
For these five players, they have a chance to change their roster outlook. Whether it’s guys guaranteed a spot looking to earn reps, or others fighting for their football lives to make the team ahead of the regular season, the showdown with Minnesota is the next step in reaching their 2026 season goals.
5 Baltimore Ravens who could take big strides in preseason test vs. Vikings
Chandler Rivers
Chandler Rivers is a fun player. He was deemed a steal when drafted in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and it’s easy to see why.
He’s a 5-foot-9 slot corner who competes his butt off 24/7—so much so that he competed primarily on the boundary at Duke and could even last there in the NFL for a handful of plays if needed. The traits that made him a coveted prospect have started to translate, too. He began his NFL career with two tackles and one pass breakup against Philadelphia.
He’ll need to continue that pace, though. He’s in a battle for reps at slot corner with Keyon Martin. Martin feels like the clear leader for special teams reps, but continued strong play from Rivers could vault him into the corner rotation.
LaJohntay Wester
LaJohntay Wester has an electrifying playmaking ability that fans are eager to see unveiled on a consistent basis. It didn’t take him long to showcase that, as in his preseason debut in 2025, he returned a punt for a touchdown. The Ravens need more of that.
When Wester gets into the open field, he’s as dangerous as anybody. He has the burst, speed, and shiftiness to make anyone look silly. Unfortunately, he didn’t do much of that in his rookie campaign (largely due to unfavorable situations thanks to a poor defense).
However, that should change with Minter leading the charge on defense now. We saw Wester unhook a pretty strong return for 19 yards versus the Eagles. Maybe some bigger and better moments could come in Saturday’s matchup with the Vikings.
Adam Randall
Adam Randall got his shot to introduce himself to the NFL world last Saturday. And when I say his shot, I mean every shot. He was a constant factor in the offense; alas, he only totaled 46 rushing yards and 3.8 yards per carry.
Round 2 could yield better results for Randall. It’s just his second season where he’ll be manning the running back spot in his football career. And with one NFL game under his belt, he could certainly adjust to the pace and bounce back.
The bigger role, though, is Randall’s presence as a kick returner. Eric DeCosta has mentioned that he believes the Clemson product has potential there, and although he hasn’t fielded a kick yet, more could come in Week 2 (barring another defensive masterclass).
Rayshaun Benny
The Ravens have several young defensive linemen that they’re hoping to see uncover their potential ahead of the regular season. One of those is Rayshaun Benny, and he might actually be the most impressive of those fighting for a roster spot.
Benny has been passing the tests thrown his way. Most notably, Calais Campbell recently had a ton of praise for the Michigan product, highlighting his advanced technique for a rookie. It’s showing on the field, too.
Benny had a fine showing against the Eagles, disrupting pockets with his bull rush while also using his size and strength to overwhelm offensive lines and free up opportunities for his defense. Preseason’s Week 1 checked all the boxes. Will Week 2 do the same?
Corey Bullock
I put Corey Bullock on this list last week, and he’s back again. In the battle with the Eagles, he saw limited action—he totaled a measly 14 snaps (on the final two drives of the game). That’s pretty telling about his placement on the roster.
Things might change this time around, though. Baltimore unfortunately lost Danny Pinter to a torn patellar tendon. That could put Bullock back on the map.
Bullock’s versatility is key. He can play both center and guard, and even played tackle in college. With more reps seemingly on the table, an eye-catching performance could provide a reminder of his importance for the team’s depth.
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