Ravens' biggest question at each defensive position ahead of OTAs
· Yahoo Sports
The Baltimore Ravens enter organized team activities with one of the NFL's most talented defensive rosters on paper, but OTAs will still answer several critical questions before training camp arrives in July. Baltimore added impact talent, retained important veterans, and reshaped portions of the secondary and pass rush this offseason. Now comes the process of determining how all the pieces fit together.
Here's the biggest question at every defensive position as the Ravens begin OTAs.
Visit freshyourfeel.com for more information.
Defensive line: What version of Nnamdi Madubuike will Baltimore get?
Everything starts with Nnamdi Madubuike.
Baltimore's defensive front looks dramatically different depending on his health status. Madubuike missed most of last season with a neck injury serious enough to spark retirement speculation at one point, though recent workout footage has created optimism entering the offseason. The Ravens still possess quality depth with Travis Jones, veteran John Jenkins, Broderick Washington, and second-year player Aeneas Peebles, but Madubuike remains the disruptive centerpiece when healthy.
OTAs may not provide full answers, but any clarity surrounding his condition immediately changes Baltimore's defensive ceiling.
Edge rusher: Can Baltimore finally build a dominant pass-rush rotation?
The Ravens landed the proven closer they desperately wanted by adding Trey Hendrickson, but the bigger OTA question centers around the players surrounding him. Mike Green flashed as a rookie. Tavius Robinson showed promise despite injuries. Zion Young arrives with an intriguing upside, while Adisa Isaac and Kaimon Rucker continue battling for rotational snaps. Baltimore suddenly has numbers and athleticism off the edge. OTAs should begin revealing whether the Ravens finally possess enough depth to consistently pressure quarterbacks late in games.
Inside linebacker: Who becomes Roquan Smith's long-term running mate?
Roquan Smith remains the unquestioned leader of Baltimore's defense, but the long-term picture beside him still feels unsettled. Trenton Simpson enters a pivotal season while seeking future roster security. Teddye Buchanan is recovering from a torn ACL. Rookie Jay Higgins arrives looking to climb the depth chart quickly.
The Ravens need a reliable second linebacker who can thrive in one of football's most demanding defensive systems. OTAs should offer the first clues about who currently holds the inside track.
Cornerback: Is Baltimore deep enough behind Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins?
The Ravens still boast high-end talent with Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, while veteran Chidobe Awuzie provides stability.
The real question lies behind them.
T.J. Tampa still has not emerged in Year 3. Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam are returning from injuries. Chandler Rivers joins the room as a rookie, while Keyon Martin surprisingly handled meaningful snaps as an undrafted free agent last season. Baltimore's secondary dealt with injuries repeatedly last year, so developing trustworthy cornerback depth becomes essential entering 2026.
Safety: Does Baltimore have the best safety trio in the NFL?
Baltimore still possesses one of football's elite safety duos in Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks.
The concern begins behind them.
After losing Ar'Darius Washington and Alohi Gilman, the Ravens added veteran Jaylinn Hawkins to stabilize the room. Hawkins is dependable, but does Baltimore still need additional contributors to emerge? Second-year player Keondre Jackson remains an intriguing special teams standout, while younger players Jahquez Robinson and Silas Walters will attempt to force their way into the conversation.
OTAs should help clarify whether Baltimore's safety depth is strong enough as it enters training camp.
Specialists: Can Tyler Loop bounce back mentally?
Special teams may quietly feature one of Baltimore's most important offseason storylines.
Tyler Loop finished his rookie season with impressive overall numbers, connecting on 30 of 34 field-goal attempts. Still, his missed game-winning kick against Pittsburgh in Week 18 ended Baltimore's playoff hopes and became the defining image of his season. The talent clearly exists. The bigger question becomes mental recovery and consistency entering Year 2. Meanwhile, rookie punter Ryan Eckley arrives with elite college production and the potential to immediately solidify Baltimore's field-position battle. The Ravens once again enter the season with championship expectations, but OTAs represent the first meaningful step toward determining whether this defense has enough depth, health, and cohesion to carry Baltimore deep into January.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens defensive questions take center stage at OTAs