The best- and worst-case scenarios for every drafted Ravens rookie

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From the moment running back Adam Randall was drafted, he was different from the rest.

The fifth-rounder was the Ravens’ eighth selection, a pick granted by general manager Eric DeCosta to owner Steve Bisciotti. It was the first time Bisciotti ever made a draft pick, and he used it on his friend Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s player.

Randall was also different in that he had played just one full season of running back, having made an emergency switch from wide receiver to help his team. He was coming in as a raw prospect, someone with impressive tools but little experience.

“Adam’s a smart guy. He picks it up quick,” running backs coach Eddie Faulkner said during training camp. “The position itself and pass protection starts from a physicality standpoint. He’s got to be willing to be physical — he is. I can help coach him on his technique.”

Through camp Randall showed flashes, but he was bottled up by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first preseason game. He sat out the second preseason game due to injury but broke a long run Friday against the Commanders.

“Yes,” Randall said when asked if his performance boosted his confidence. “Obviously going out there and playing and getting better and being able to go and assess the tape is always something that you need to do as a football player, and [I’m] correcting the things that need to be corrected and [trying to] improve on the good things.”

Did Randall, a fifth-round pick who was placed on injured reserve to start the season, do enough to earn a significant role once he returns?

Here’s what the best- and worst-case scenarios look like for him and the rest of the team’s 2026 draft class.

G Olaivavega “Vega” Ioane

Round 1, No. 14, Penn State

Best case: Teammates and coaches have raved over Ioane’s maturity, saying he already seems like a vet. He’s extremely strong, in addition to being an intelligent player, so there’s a chance he adjusts to NFL competition quickly. He was given a lot of reps in joint practices and a handful in the preseason games, and he looked impressive even if the PFF grades didn’t reflect that. And, if Ioane is surrounded by experience and talent on the offensive line, that will smooth over any rookie mistakes. He’s going to be a starter, but he could be an immediate impact player and get this offense moving.

Worst case: The biggest question mark on this roster is right next to Ioane. If the Ravens don’t find an answer at center, that could exacerbate any hiccups Ioane has, especially if he isn’t as ready as the Ravens make him out to be. The worst case would be Ioane having a longer adjustment period and a bad line, but he would likely still be on track to be an important part of the franchise’s future.

OLB Zion Young

Round 2, No. 45, Missouri

Best case: Young had a relatively quiet training camp but played well in the second preseason game. However, he returned to Baltimore with an injury and sat out. The best case would be for him to recover quickly but to have the older pass rushers taking most of the game reps. If things go right, Trey Hendrickson, Tavius Robinson and Mike Green would contribute enough that the Ravens don’t need to rely heavily on the rookie. This would allow Young to get stronger and faster without the pressure, and it would mean he was developing in a healthy environment.

Worst case: Other than the obvious possibility of injury limiting him, the worst case for Young would be to be called on too early. He has a lot of inner juice that drives him, but getting thrown out against NFL tackles before he’s expanded his pass rush options and perfected his technique could be defeating.

WR Ja’Kobi Lane

Round 3, No. 80, USC

Best case: Lane is exactly what training camp has led everyone to believe. He becomes a trusted target for Lamar Jackson and gives the Ravens an option in traffic. He makes one-handed catches and wins 50-50 balls and eventually positions himself to be WR2.

Worst case: Lane can’t work his magic against NFL starters. Outside of his own teammates, Lane’s only experience is against backups and rookies in preseason games. His inability to make the play in the regular season shakes his foundation with Jackson.

WR Elijah Sarratt

Round 4, No. 115, Indiana

Best case: Despite his lack of separation skill, Sarratt takes advantage of every opportunity afforded to him and gains the coaches’ trust. He contributes on special teams and earns more offensive reps. His ability to make plays on the ball, as he demonstrated in organized team activities and in flashes through training camp, helps set up a future in Baltimore.

Worst case: Whatever magic Sarratt worked at the college level doesn’t translate to the NFL. He can’t find separation or beat NFL defensive backs for contested catches. He becomes primarily a special teams contributor.

TE Matt Hibner

Round 4, No. 133, SMU

Best case: After a relatively uninspiring training camp, Hibner showed out in the first preseason game, demonstrating why he sees himself filling a role similar to Isaiah Likely’s last year. Even in the best-case scenario, Hibner will probably take a while to develop as a blocker, but he could provide an immediate option in the passing game.

Worst case: Hibner contributes only here and there as a pass catcher, and Mark Andrews is the only real option for Jackson among the tight ends. He develops slowly as a blocker and is mainly a special teams player.

CB Chandler Rivers

Round 5, No. 162, Duke

Best case: The Ravens found the next Ar’Darius Washington, minus the injuries. Despite his size, Rivers plays a violent game that allows him to stop larger opponents. With stars in front of him on the depth chart, it’s unlikely he plays much, barring injuries, but he can help on special teams while staying ready for any opportunity presented him.

Worst case: Rivers can’t keep up with the size and strength of the NFL. His good preseason performance doesn’t carry over, and he falls down the depth chart in a crowded cornerback room.

TE Josh Cuevas

Round 5, No. 173, Alabama

Best case: Cuevas turns into a dual threat as a great blocker and a receiver. His versatility earns him more opportunities in the offense, where Andrews is primarily a receiving target and Durham Smythe is a blocker. He carves out a role for himself in his rookie year and helps overcome the dual loss of Charlie Kolar and Patrick Ricard.

Worst case: Cuevas takes longer to get up to NFL strength as a blocker and can’t beat linebackers and safeties as a pass catcher. The Ravens offense becomes more predictable. After assuming a small role as a rookie, Cuevas has to convince the Ravens they don’t need to bring in another tight end.

RB Adam Randall

Round 5, No. 174, Clemson

Best case: The former wide receiver continues to adapt to his new role as a running back and learns to run behind his pads. He creates an interesting matchup for defenses because of his ability to rush and to run routes. He takes over for Rasheen Ali as the third running back.

Worst case: The injury that landed Randall on IR to start the season lingers. And it turns out the position change Randall went through to help his college team is not what’s best for him. He can’t adjust to a different way of playing and can’t go back to play receiver at the NFL level.

P Ryan Eckley

Round 6, No. 211, Michigan State

Best case: Eckley’s first NFL punt is a fluke. The 27-yarder against the Eagles in the preseason is just due to nerves. The consistency he showed in Minnesota, where he averaged 55.3 yards per attempt, carries over to the regular season, and he plays a big role in the field-position battle. On top of that, he builds chemistry with kicker Tyler Loop as a holder and the field goal operation runs smoothly.

Worst case: Eckley is inconsistent through the season and isn’t reliable in critical situations. He and Loop don’t vibe in the field goal operation, and the Ravens are left still looking for an option to replace Pro Bowl punter Jordan Stout.

DT Rayshaun Benny

Round 7, No. 250, Michigan

Best case: Benny by no means had a bad camp. He was just in a bad situation where there were so many stars ahead of him. Because he did not make the roster, the best case for him is that someone else takes a chance and signs him to their 53-man roster. But the best case for the Ravens would be Benny clearing waivers and staying as a developmental piece on the practice squad. That would also mean he gets to continue to work with his college defensive line coach Lou Esposito.

Worst case: For Benny, it would be clearing waivers and staying in Baltimore and never getting his shot. In addition to the veterans ahead of him, there are young players such as Aeneas Peebles around to compete with. For the Ravens, it would be if he gets picked up by a rival team and becomes a force.

G Evan Beerntsen

Round 7, No. 253, Northwestern

Best case: Beerntsen sticks around as a practice squad player and, under Dwayne Ledford’s tutelage, becomes a reliable option in case of injury. Despite being old for a rookie, he continues to improve and becomes strong enough to hold his own.

Worst case: The 25-year-old didn’t make enough of an impression, and teams don’t want to bet that he’ll continue to develop even as a practice squad player.