Ravens rookie proving himself where it matters most before NFL season opener

The rookie is making all the necessary adjustments.
Indianapolis Colts v Baltimore Ravens - NFL Preseason 2025
Indianapolis Colts v Baltimore Ravens - NFL Preseason 2025 | Patrick Smith/GettyImages

The Baltimore Ravens brought in another strong rookie class in the 2025 NFL Draft, and many players are already flashing their potential. Their top two picks, Malaki Starks and Mike Green, have been the talk of training camp and preseason. The young defensive duo is dominating from down to down, and is on track to become key contributors in 2025.

It does not stop there. Other rookies are expected to add crucial depth to an already stacked team. Sixth-round pick Tyler Loop, though, is going to play a key role this season, as he looks to be the next great kicker in Baltimore.

Since the team cut fellow rookie kicker John Hoyland, Loop has only gotten better. It was already a strong camp, but he came into his own after the move, making kicks with consistency and from distance. He is already proving he can handle all the adversity that comes with being an NFL kicker, too.

Tyler Loop is proving himself in every way

For a kicker, it can be easy to lose control when disaster strikes. One miss can snowball into a barrage of misses, especially for rookies. The stress of impressing and holding the starting job is intense, but Loop has been unfazed.

In the Ravens’ preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, the 24-year-old helped contribute to the 24-16 win. He was perfect on three extra point attempts, and although he went 1-for-2 on field goals, he weathered the storm after shanking his first professional attempt, a 46-yarder, booting one through the uprights from 52 yards out with a ton of room to spare late in the game.

In camp on Wednesday, Loop once again proved he can handle the pressure. He already showed he can bounce back from a big miss under the lights, and the practice further cemented his ability to make adjustments.

The Arizona product went 7-for-9, missing one early, but catching fire for an impressive stretch later. While he missed another, it sounds like that was in a rushed situational drill. Loop certainly needs to be more consistent from within 50 yards, but the ability to leave misses in the past is a trait all kickers need, and he is already showing he has it.

Loop’s range is another factor the Ravens desperately missed over the past couple of seasons. Justin Tucker struggled mightily from 50+ in 2023 and 2024 (7-for-16 between the two campaigns).

He still has a lot to prove, with just one preseason game under his belt, but the blend of confidence, composure, and leg strength should make Loop a reliable option heading into the 2025 regular season.

More Baltimore Ravens News and Analysis