ExtremeRavens Posted 11 hours ago Posted 11 hours ago The Ravens and the rest of the NFL this week descend on Indianapolis, where 319 draft-eligible prospects have been invited to partake in the league’s annual scouting combine. This year’s breakdown includes 166 offensive players, 146 on defense and seven specialists. After finishing 8-9 to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and with a new coaching staff, Baltimore has plenty of needs to address following its disastrous and ineffectual season. As a franchise that fundamentally believes in building the bulk of its roster through the draft, it’s also an important week. The physical and mental evaluations — from 40-yard dashes to interviews — of the future NFL players will offer general manager Eric DeCosta, first-year coach Jesse Minter and the rest of the organization’s braintrust their most intimate picture of players to date. In short, it’s the epicenter of the NFL universe, from what you see on television at Lucas Oil Stadium to the gatherings away from cameras in the hotel lobbies and restaurants where executives, agents, coaching staffs and reporters congregate. For the Ravens, DeCosta will meet with reporters at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, while Minter will do so at noon the same day. There will be plenty of questions for both, from where things stand on contract extension talks with quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson and three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum to what positions they will target with their expected 11 draft picks, including the 14th overall selection, and more. Here’s everything you need to know about the week ahead: Schedule of events and TV info (NFL Network) Thursday: Defensive linemen, linebackers, kickers (3 p.m.) Friday: Defensive backs, tight ends (3 p.m.) Saturday: Quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs (1 p.m.) Sunday: Offensive linemen (1 p.m.) Maryland players to watch There are only two Terps who will be at this year’s scouting combine: offensive tackle Alan Herron and safety Jalen Huskey. Both are likely at best back-end Day 3 draft selections, if they get chosen at all. Still, it’s an opportunity to impress the league’s 32 teams. Being an undrafted free agent is often better than being a seventh-round pick because the player can find the best fit, and both players play positions that Baltimore needs more depth at. Herron, a 6-foot-4, 321-pound native of Jamaica, was honorable mention All-Big Ten last season after starting all 12 games at right tackle (and starting 24 the past two seasons) and as part of a unit that allowed just nine sacks. Huskey (6-1, 199 pounds) is from Frederick and was second-team All-Big Ten in 2025 after a team-best four interceptions across 12 games (11 starts). He also had 72 tackles, which was second on the team. The other college player from the state invited was Navy running back/wide receiver Eli Heidenreich. Like the other two, he’s a late-round pick at best. At 5-11, 197 pounds, he could also be an intriguing flier. Viewed as agile and with good hands and burst, he likely projects as a slot receiver at the NFL level after 51 catches for 941 yards and six touchdowns this past season. His 18.5 yards per catch also speaks to his yards-after-catch ability. Possible Ravens targets to watch Vega Ioane, guard, Penn State Picking an offensive lineman 14th overall isn’t the sexiest move, but second-year guard Emery Jones Jr. and Ioane, a 6-4, 335-pound people mover in the running game, could solve the issues the Ravens had with guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele last season. Ioane also has the quickness to be a dependable pass blocker. Jordyn Tyson, wide receiver, Arizona State With Rashod Bateman taking a step back in production last season — and having previously sought a trade — along with veteran DeAndre Hopkins unlikely to be back, the Ravens need to find a front-line wide receiver to complement Zay Flowers. The 6-2, 200-pound Tyson tutored under Sun Devils wide receiver coach and former Steelers star Hines Ward and has the requisite tools with enough speed, improved route running and notable contested catch ability. He also has a significant injury history, however. Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn At 6-6, 285 pounds, Faulk has a long, athletic frame and the kind of versatility the Ravens often covet, with an ability to play outside and in. He needs some polish but with a draft comparison of Carlos Dunlap, who logged at least eight sacks in five of his eight NFL seasons, he could add some much-needed juice to the pass rush alongside last year’s second-round pick, Mike Green. Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon catches a touchdown pass against Illinois. Lemon is viewed as a top wide receiver prospect in this year's NFL draft. (Craig Pessman/AP) Makai Lemon, wide receiver, Southern California Lemon isn’t big at 5-11, 195 pounds, but he has often been compared to another former Southern California standout: Amon-Ra St. Brown. Like the Detroit Lions star, Lemon has displayed top-end short-area quickness and an ability to make contested catches in the slot. Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami At 25, Mesidor brings enough experience to step in and contribute immediately as a rookie. He was also part of a powerful 1-2 with Miami’s Reuben Bain on a dominant defense. He’s also described as “instinctive” with a high motor and as having a “fluid” rush style and a “deep” toolbox of moves. Given the uncertainty around Nnamdi Madubuike and a defensive interior that needs depth and some youthful burst, he’d fit right in. Colton Hood, cornerback, Tennessee DeCosta is fond of saying he can never have enough cornerbacks, and given the uncertainty about the future of Marlon Humphrey and Chidobe Awuzie, who is slated to become a free agent, adding an outside defender opposite Nate Wiggins is a major need. Hood has size (6 feet, 195 pounds), speed, is physical and is sticky in coverage. Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M The 6-2, 248-pound Howell is quick off the edge and has good bend. He was also productive in college with 11 1/2 sacks last season and 9 1/2 in 2023 for Bowling Green. He still needs development as an edge-setter, but his pass rush skills could pay quick dividends. Davison Igbinoson, cornerback, Ohio State At 6-2, 192 pounds, Igbinoson is another cornerback who fits the physical mold Baltimore likes. He was flagged 16 times in coverage the past two seasons, but that speaks to his physicality and can be cleaned up. He’s also a willing tackler in the run game, and his brother Desmond was an undrafted free agent with the Ravens last year. Gabe Jacas, edge, Illinois Jacas, at 6-3 and 260 pounds, is put together and is versatile, having played with his hand in the dirt and as a stand-up edge. His edge-setting needs work — as do his pass-rush moves — but his wrestling background and thus his ability to maneuver could be appealing to Baltimore, which likes players with diverse athletic backgrounds and skill sets that translate. Also of note: His draft comp is former Raven Matthew Judon. Chase Bisontis, guard, Texas A&M The 6-5, 315-pound interior lineman has heavy hands and a well-balanced repertoire, though his run blocking is ahead of his pass protection, according to scouts. He’s described as having plenty of “nasty” to him as well, something former Ravens great and Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist Marshal Yanda had in spades and goes a long way on the interior. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
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