Five Ravens to Keep an Eye on During OTAs

May 27th marked the beginning of Organized Team Activities for the Baltimore Ravens, who have returned to the Under Armour Performance Center for one of the first times in a team setting since packing up their lockers after the heartbreaker in Buffalo. OTAs are a perfect way for players and coaches to get some organized reps in with the rookies and coaching staff before mandatory mini-camp starts in mid-June. The Ravens have a stellar roster on both sides of the ball but the game is played with more than 11 players, so depth is a necessity in this profession. I have selected five players who I believe need to be strong in the next few months to give not only teammates and coaches but also the fans a little assurance that they can be the player to help the Ravens bring home their third Lombardi Trophy during their 30th anniversary season.

Deandre Hopkins

DeAndre Hopkins is the number one player to watch as we inch closer to the beginning of the 2025 NFL season. After Hopkins knew he was not returning to Kansas City in 2025, he made a list of desirable teams where Baltimore was on top. Why Baltimore? Hopkins attributed his decision to playing with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. The five-time Pro Bowler is entering his age 33 season with Baltimore, ready to play a mentor type role behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Hopkins has the opportunity to overtake and outperform Nelson Agholor, the receiver he is essentially replacing. Agholor finished with less than 700 yards in two seasons with the Ravens, playing behind Flowers, Bateman, Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and other playmakers on the offense. On the other hand, Hopkins recorded over 1,000 yards for the Titans in 2023 and 617 yards in 2024, nearly tripling Agholor’s total for his tenure in Baltimore. Despite being older than Agholor, Hopkins was in the conversation for best receiver in the league while he was in Houston. That time may be a thing of the past, but after one day of OTAs, Hopkins looks to be another valuable weapon in Todd Monken’s offense.

Mike Green

Projected to be a first round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Marshall, edge rusher Mike Green fell to the Ravens in the late second round after conversations of his off-field history resulted in a small draft slide. Green says he is “blessed” to have slid to the Ravens, saying in a press conference after his first rookie minicamp. “I can honestly say I don't think there's a better franchise I can be a part of.” Green will have to fight for a role in Zach Orr’s defense behind Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy, but both of their futures are up in the air due to either financial or age situations. Green, who is looking to translate his 17 sacks in 2024 at Marshall to the NFL, will also battle David Ojabo who in his three years, recorded four sacks in 18 games. Green’s expectations are similarly high compared to Malaki Starks who is another name to look at, but Mike Green could be the man that adds consistency and depth to the pass rushing facet of the game.

Chidobe Awuzie

After the first few rounds of NFL Free Agency, the Ravens waited to scoop a salary cap friendly depth cornerback with the possibility of extending him if he plays well enough. That man is Chidobe Awuzie, formerly of the Cowboys, Titans and Bengals. The Ravens let Brandon Stephens walk to the Jets after a lackluster and poorly played season. Through 10 weeks in 2024, the Baltimore Ravens pass defense ranked dead last in yards and near last in total defensive yards and points. Eventually the Ravens figured it out, but Stephens still played at a below average level, with fans expressing their feelings over social media. Tre’Davious White also ended up testing free agency after a few months on the Ravens, but Awuzie has the chance to obtain a lot of playing time behind Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, given that Awuzie can step up and earn those minutes on the field before the season starts.

Tyler Loop

Believe it or not, kickers are one of the most important positions in football. I’m not saying that because I played kicker myself in high school, but kickers give their team a chance to salvage a drive that stalled out with half the points of a touchdown or add an extra point after a touchdown. Justin Tucker was the ‘ol reliable kicker for the Ravens for over 10 years, breaking all types of records. However, Tucker had a down year in 2024 and had a lot of disgusting allegations come to light this offseason, both leading to his release from the team and the Ravens drafting Tyler Loop in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In the Ravens’ 30 years of existence, they have never drafted a kicker and Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said Loop was high on their board. Loop would still have to prove he can kick with NFL pressure to ensure he does not lose his job to an undrafted free agent.

Trenton Simpson

Trenton Simpson was a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, expected to take snaps behind Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen. When Queen left Baltimore for the Steelers in the 2024 offseason, Simpson was primed for a starting role as the weak side inside linebacker spot next to the All-Pro in Smith. In 2024, Simpson was third in team tackles but after the Week 14 bye, was regulated to a special teams role, opening the door for fellow linebackers Malik Harrison and Chris Board. This move is not the only thing that helped the Ravens go from one of the worst defenses to the best in less than two weeks, but it is a contributing factor. For 2025, Simpson will have to step up his game, or he may find himself on the chopping block when it comes time for an extension after the 2026 season.  

All the players I mentioned have the potential to play at a Pro Bowl or All-Pro level but need to work this offseason to earn the chance. All these players need to take time, go to the voluntary and optional training and practices and bury themselves in the playbook, because some of these guys are on one-year deals, or getting close to a contract year. These players need to step up, so they don’t find themselves looking for a new team. At the same time, the Ravens also need them to step up to bring home the third Lombardi in 30 years for the Ravens Flock.