There’s a ton of youth entering the Baltimore Ravens’ building in 2026. They’ve once again brought in a treasure trove of rookies, using all 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, along with an intriguing undrafted free agent class. It doesn’t stop there, though. The coaching staff is going through a bit of a rookie transition, too.
New head coach Jesse Minter is one of the biggest storylines in football as he takes over for John Harbaugh. Along with him, he didn’t bring a bunch of seasoned veterans; it’s actually a mostly young staff. As a result, both the coaches and rookies will have to adjust to their new roles. There’s no time to play around.
Thankfully, these two could work hand-in-hand. At least, fourth-round wide receiver Elijah Sarratt thinks so. In an interview with FOX Baltimore’s AJ Gersh, Sarratt sent a clear message about the influence that the young coaching staff is already having.
“I feel like [the rookies and coaches] are all learning at the same time. We’re all on the same page,” Sarratt said. “It’s a young staff, which I love, just being able to relate with them. They’ve pushed me and demanded excellence, which I wanna be coached hard.”
Baltimore Ravens’ rookie reveals key detail that’s impressed him about new coaching staff
Bringing in an almost entirely new coaching staff can be a blessing and a curse. Obviously, the Ravens are going through a major transition. With many coaches having newly defined roles, that could bring a steeper learning curve that hinders early development for both players and coaches. However, the reset could also help the rookies feel more comfortable while creating a stronger coach-player bond.
It feels like that tight relationship between coaches and players is what went missing in 2025. John Harbaugh and Todd Monken were proven vets and undoubtedly deserved to have coaching gigs. But it’s also true that they overstayed their welcome in Charm City. That much was painfully obvious. I mean, they were nothing short of horrendous last year.
Simply put, Harbaugh’s message ran as dry as the Sahara Desert, and in some ways, it seemed like he wasn’t getting the same intensity out of the group. A once energetic Ravens team fell into one that seemed more sluggish than anything. That probably played a role in a much-needed shift from old school to new school.
Based on Elijah Sarratt’s praise, that youth movement is already carrying a massive weight at OTAs. And that couldn’t be better news, given the substantial role that this year’s rookie class could have in year one. There’s instant starter-level talent, rotational impact weapons, and depth pieces that could prove to be crucial factors on special teams and in limited opportunities. And when it comes to Sarratt, he may already be finding himself near the top of the rookies waiting to make their presence felt.
Sarratt was Baltimore’s fourth-round selection at No. 115, and although he was the second wideout picked by them, he’s making a strong case to be an immediate part of the rotation. He’s consistently forced his name into the headlines all offseason. From the rookie minicamp to now OTAs, he has stood out. Clearly, he has his already budding relationship with the Ravens’ young coaches to partially thank for that.
Sarratt’s obviously not the only one to benefit. The rest of the rookie class is welcoming the new era with open arms, as are many players already on Baltimore’s roster. The coaches’ younger age and ability to relate to their players can’t be taken for granted, and hopefully it takes effect on the field in 2026, as the Ravens desperately search for a bounce-back campaign.
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