The Baltimore Ravens are entering a new era, with a fresh coaching staff looking to set the tone. Jesse Minter and company should make Ravens football competitive again, and while there are some unknowns, they’ve already shown a lot of promise in developing this team and getting them back on the right path.
Part of their biggest tasks will be getting the most out of Baltimore’s young talent. Last year’s rookie class was fine, but relatively disappointing in terms of production. And then there’s this year’s rookie class, a group where many will be set for crucial roles early on.
When it comes to the next generation, that starts with Malaki Starks, Mike Green, Vega Ioane, and others. The likes of Zay Flowers and Kyle Hamilton, although young, are considered the veterans now. It’s time for Baltimore’s next wave of talent to prove they can become the future.
Baltimore Ravens need next generation of stars to turn a corner in 2026
The Ravens’ next generation could prove to be incredibly strong. From the 2025 draft class, Malaki Starks, Mike Green, and Teddye Buchanan could have bright futures. This year’s rookie class that includes Vega Ioane, Zion Young, Ja’Kobi Lane, and Elijah Sarratt, has a high ceiling as well. Even 2024 draft picks like Nate Wiggins and Roger Rosengarten are still looking to turn it up one more notch.
For many of those guys, though, we don’t know how good they’ll truly be. Some have flashed, others have disappointed at times, and of course, the rookies haven’t even put the pads on yet. And unfortunately, I wouldn’t say any have proven they can be perennial Pro Bowlers up to this point.
It’s probably for that reason that the Ravens placed just 17th in Aaron Schatz’s rankings based on under-25 talent for ESPN. With stars Zay Flowers and Kyle Hamilton turning 25, they’re no longer a part of that group. It’ll be someone else’s turn to prove they can blossom into franchise cornerstones.
The most likely to achieve that this season are undoubtedly Wiggins, Rosengarten, and Starks. Each of those guys has a fascinating future that certainly screams Pro Bowl-caliber; they just need to find that consistent rhythm. On defense, Wiggins and Starks should thrive under the new coaching staff, and on offense, Rosengarten sounds poised to make a star-level leap in year three.
Second-year pros Green and Buchanan should be impact players, too. Green has the pass rush chops to be an electrifying threat off the edge, and Buchanan quickly emerged as a key starter in his rookie campaign. Each still has their flaws—Green as a run defender and Buchanan in coverage—but the runway is there for them to become reliable contributors.
Finally, the rookie class could be absolutely awesome. The Ravens invested heavily in physicality in the 2026 NFL Draft, as Ioane and Young do the dirty work in the trenches, and Lane and Sarratt showcase the type of physicality that Baltimore hasn’t had at wide receiver in quite some time.
If the Ravens want to remain one of the most consistently competitive franchises in the NFL, they need to keep the youth movement flowing. Their ability to draft and develop has always been near the top of the league, and this year, they’ll be looking for their next wave of young guys to break out and keep the wheel turning. It's time for them to take the torch and run with it.
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