When the Baltimore Ravens hired Jesse Minter to be the team’s next head this offseason, they accomplished two goals. The franchise landed a head coach who has been identified as a rising star in the coaching ranks, and Baltimore also got a defensive mind who could make the team’s defense elite again.
Minter was a popular head coaching candidate because of the work he did as a defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers, so he should be able to do some fun things defensively for Baltimore. The Ravens, of course, have defensive stars like Kyle Hamilton and Trey Hendrickson, who Minter will have fun using, but the head coach should also be able to unlock some of the lower-profile players as well.
One player, specifically, who Minter should be good for is cornerback Keyon Martin. The second-year Martin was recently highlighted by ESPN’s Ben Solak as a breakout candidate for 2026, and a big reason why he was selected is his fit with Minter.
Baltimore Ravens corner Keyon Martin considered a breakout candidate for 2026
Solak explained that Martin played as a dime corner during his rookie season, and was often involved in pressures, but detailed why the young corner could carve out a bigger role. The analyst said Martin is an undersized corner (5-foot-9, 170 pounds) with quick eyes and quick feet, and those traits make him great for Minter, who isn’t afraid to play smaller defensive backs.
According to Solak, Martin has the chance to become Baltimore’s No. 3 corner, jumping Chidobe Awuzie. That would put the defender on the field in the slot, with Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins on the outside.
This certainly seems like a feasible path for Martin to have a big year, but it will all start with the young corner having a better camp than Awuzie. Martin, a 2025 undrafted player, made his way onto the team and played in 13 games as a rookie. In those games, the corner posted 23 tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection.
Awuzie, on the other hand, stepped up for the team during his first year in Baltimore, starting five of the 14 games he played in, and posting 43 tackles, and seven pass deflections. He will now have to hold off Keyon Martin. If Martin can get the job, he could set himself up for a breakout season.
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