10 takeaways from the Ravens’ initial 2026 roster

The Baltimore Ravens completed their initial roster construction Sunday, but the work is far from finished. Waiver claims, practice-squad additions and additional injury moves could change the group before Week 1.

Baltimore waived 28 players, released five vested veterans and placed Adam Randall and Bilhal Kone on injured reserve with designations to return. The team also entered the next phase of the roster calendar with one active spot available.

Here are 10 takeaways from the Ravens’ initial roster and the decisions made by general manager Eric DeCosta and head coach Jesse Minter.

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The Ravens have an open roster spot

Baltimore’s published active roster contains 52 players. Placing Randall and Kone directly on injured reserve allowed the Ravens to preserve their eligibility to return while creating flexibility for a waiver claim, veteran signing or another post-cutdown move.

Joe Fagnano forced the Ravens to keep three quarterbacks

Fagnano completed 56 of 75 passes for 509 yards, three touchdowns and one interception during the preseason. His 74.7% completion rate and command of the offense made exposing him to waivers too risky.

Baltimore will carry Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley and Fagnano, marking the first time since 2023 that the Ravens have kept three quarterbacks on their initial roster.

Ethan Burke beat out a former third-round pick

Burke earned a place in the outside-linebacker rotation after recording six tackles, two forced fumbles, two passes defensed, two quarterback hits and one sack during the preseason.

His emergence contributed to Baltimore waiving Adisa Isaac, a 2024 third-round pick who appeared in only four regular-season games during his first two years.

Adam Randall will have to wait

Randall was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return. The fifth-round rookie will miss at least four games but can rejoin the active roster later in the season.

His absence leaves Derrick Henry, Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali as Baltimore’s three active running backs.

Baltimore kept six wide receivers

The Ravens retained Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Ja’Kobi Lane, Elijah Sarratt, Devontez Walker and LaJohntay Wester.

Lane and Sarratt add size to a group led by Flowers and Bateman, while Wester offers value as the primary punt returner. Veteran Chris Moore was released despite producing three catches for 54 yards and a touchdown in the preseason finale.

The Ravens will operate without a traditional fullback

Baltimore waived Lucas Scott and did not retain another fullback. That reflects how new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle could use veteran tight end Durham Smythe as a move blocker in formations that traditionally featured a fullback.

Aeneas Peebles survived a difficult defensive-line competition

Peebles earned one of six defensive-line spots alongside Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Calais Campbell, Broderick Washington Jr. and John Jenkins.

The Ravens waived seventh-round rookie Rayshaun Benny, David Olajiga, Aaron Graves and Dion Wilson Jr. while previously trading C.J. Okoye to the New York Giants.

Baltimore retained nine offensive linemen

The offensive line includes projected starters Ronnie Stanley, John Simpson, Ethan Pocic, Vega Ioane and Roger Rosengarten.

Jovaughn Gwyn, Andrew Vorhees, Emery Jones Jr. and Carson Vinson provide the reserve group. Baltimore traded Diego Pounds and waived several other developmental linemen during the cutdown process.

K’Von Wallace could still return

The Ravens terminated Wallace’s contract, allowing the vested safety to become a free agent without going through waivers. He has been mentioned as a strong candidate to return on the practice squad.

Baltimore currently has Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, Jaylinn Hawkins and Keondre Jackson at safety.

Ryan Eckley won the punting job

Baltimore used a sixth-round pick on Eckley and gave the rookie the punting and holding responsibilities. He joins second-year kicker Tyler Loop and veteran long snapper Nick Moore in a specialist group that will remain under scrutiny entering the regular season.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 10 takeaways from the Ravens’ initial 2026 roster