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INDIANAPOLIS — Despite a whole new coaching staff, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta isn’t changing the way he works.

As DeCosta, accompanied by scouts and coaches, takes on the NFL scouting combine in preparation for the 2026 NFL Draft, he’s still sticking to the same philosophies that he learned from former general manager Ozzie Newsome.

The Ravens still plan to go “BPA” with their strategy (picking the “best player available” on the board). They also plan to build from the trenches.

Head coach Jesse Minter’s new staff will have an impact in subtle ways. For example, DeCosta mentioned he needs to learn what types of players offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford likes to work with. And Minter plans to support DeCosta’s draft preparation without making major changes.

“I know Eric’s the best in the business at his position in building a team and running the draft, which he’s done for years,” Minter said. “I think I’m able to help support, help evaluate players, [have] our coaching staff really dive in position-wise to evaluate players.”

Here are takeaways from what DeCosta and Minter said at the combine.

The trenches

While the Ravens say their philosophy of building from the trenches out has never wavered, the trenches are where the team is weakest.

DeCosta didn’t hesitate to admit that, starting at an end-of-season press conference where he called out the offensive line. On Tuesday, he spoke of the importance of bringing Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum back and said he’s excited about the two offensive linemen they drafted last year, guard Emery Jones Jr. and tackle Carson Vinson.

“No guarantees, but we’re excited to see where those guys are,” DeCosta said.

He added that the new scheme and new staff may change the pool of players they’re interested in, including in free agency.

“In some cases, it may end up bringing some different players into the mix that maybe in past years we might not have been as interested in.”

As for the pass rush, DeCosta said he “certainly” knows that “we have to augment the pass rush and improve there” and that he’s excited about the options in this draft class.

Minter reiterated DeCosta’s sentiments.

“It’s an O-line-, D-line-driven league,” Minter said. “I think there are some good pieces there, and so it’ll be about coaching them up, developing them more, and then adding some pieces to help us get to that level.”

Bring ’em back

Heading into the season, every single player in the tight ends room was a pending free agent. As Mark Andrews performed consistently while Isaiah Likely struggled to rebound from his injury, the Ravens seemingly made their pick when they extended Andrews at the end of the season.

But DeCosta said they’d still like a chance at bringing Likely back.

On the defensive side, DeCosta said he hasn’t talked with linebacker Roquan Smith or cornerback Marlon Humphrey about changes to their contracts.

Humphrey’s cap hit jumps from just under $12 million to over $26 million and Smith’s goes from under $16 million to almost $33 million. Both seemed to have lost a step last season as the defense struggled.

But DeCosta said he expects Humphrey to be on the team, adding: “I love Marlon.”

He didn’t rule out restructuring Smith’s contract, simply saying: “I haven’t had those conversations with him yet.”

The only update they provided on contract talks was Linderbaum’s. DeCosta said they offered him a market-setting deal, and both he and Minter said they want Linderbaum back.

No new news

Both head coach and general manager declined to provide clarity about some of the team’s biggest offseason questions.

DeCosta said he’s talking to Jackson, but he’s going to keep those discussions in-house as they work on a contract extension. Minter said he plans to keep his relationship with Jackson private.

“So myself, [offensive coordinator Declan Doyle], I think we’ve done a good job of keeping in contact with him without being overbearing,” Minter said. “He’s been a Raven for a long time. So it’s new for us. It’s not new for him. And so just trying to try to build that trust and build that relationship, I think it’s gone well.”

DeCosta also said he didn’t have an update on Nnamdi Madubuike, who suffered a season-ending neck injury and is facing an uncertain future. Minter said he’s keeping those conversations private, although he added, “I know he’s in great spirits, and it was great to see him in the building last week or the week prior.”

“We’ll have multiple plans in place, but just excited for him,” Minter said. “He’s in a great frame of mind right now.”

Cornerback Nate Wiggins shared on social media that he underwent surgery, but Minter also said he’s keeping those details private.