The Baltimore Ravens made their first-ever selection at kicker during the 2025 NFL Draft. That’s not something teams do willingly—kickers aren't necessarily high priorities come draft night. So when they used the 186th overall pick on Arizona’s Tyler Loop, it was supposed to signal a fresh start — a clean break from Justin Tucker, and a long-term investment as the next man up.
But then came John Hoyland from the Cowboy State.
In what felt like moments after cutting Justin Tucker and handing Loop the keys, the Ravens brought in the former Wyoming standout on a tryout basis... and then signed him. Now, Baltimore has its first real kicker competition in over a decade. And just like that, the job Tyler Loop thought was his might already be up for grabs.
It’s way too early — but this could already be a confidence wobble for Tyler Loop
Let’s be clear: Loop was drafted for a reason. The Ravens saw something in his consistency, his power, and his polish. He’s the school record holder at Arizona for accuracy and hit a monster 62-yarder last fall. He’s the real deal. But bringing in Hoyland, a five-year starter who made 73-of-92 field goals and was automatic inside 40 yards, adds a wrinkle that makes you wonder if the Ravens are second-guessing themselves already.
If Loop was supposed to be “the guy,” why pivot to another rookie a week later? Competition is great, but another rookie feels... strange. Why not a veteran to ramp up the stakes or add insurance?
Maybe it’s about competition. Maybe it’s about insurance. Or maybe it’s the front office hedging its bets after watching Hoyland boom kicks during his tryout in rookie minicamp and realizing the leash might need to be shorter than expected.
Either way, it’s a noteworthy move. If he keeps pushing Loop all summer, it opens the door for something few imagined when the Ravens made their historic kicker pick.
Because if Loop — the first kicker Baltimore ever drafted — loses out to an undrafted free agent who was invited on a tryout? That’s a storyline the Ravens don’t want to see written. That wouldn’t be a fun underdog moment. That’d be Baltimore burning a draft pick at one of the most disposable positions in the league. Plain and simple.