Jesse Minter leads top-5 defense and 2 other Ravens bold predictions for 2026 NFL season

The Baltimore Ravens are going to be a must-watch team in 2026, as they have changed their personality in a dramatic fashion by moving away from John Harbaugh as head coach and turning to Jesse Minter.

The Ravens had been known as one of the most physical and aggressive defensive teams in the NFL for years, but when Mike Macdonald left the team after the 2023 season to become the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, that changed dramatically. Instead of having a team that played shutdown defense, they gave up yards by the bucketload and nearly corresponded to that in points allowed.

The Ravens allowed 354.5 yards per game last season, a figure that ranked 24th in the NFL. They were brutal when it came to stopping the passing game. They tied for 30th as they gave up 247.9 yards per game as the secondary became a full-fledged attack zone for opposing offenses. This was largely due to a pass rush that failed to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

The Ravens could barely muster 30 sacks a year ago and that left them in a tie for 28th. When all these factors are examined, it’s no surprise that the Ravens decided to bring in Minter as the team’s head coach.

There have been multiple personnel moves made to give the defense a lift.

Hendrickson needs to upgrade the pass rush

The biggest was bringing in Trey Hendrickson from the Cincinnati Bengals to rush the quarterback. He is clearly a game changer when he is healthy. The Ravens are expecting the same Hendrickson that made four consecutive Pro Bowl from 2021 through 2024. Hendrickson had 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons in ’23 and ’24 before enduring core muscle surgery last year. He had a midseason injury that sidelined him last after 7 games with the Bengals.

The Ravens are expecting Hendrickson to return to his game-wrecking form in 2026. They are also expecting excellence from defensive end Nnamdi Madubuike after last year’s neck injury.

The Ravens have one of the best defensive players in the NFL in All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and he will direct the back end. On the other hand, cornerback Marlon Humphrey struggled badly in coverage and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is counting on him returning to being an effective player.

Middle linebacker Roquan Smith has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last four seasons, and he led the Ravens with 130 tackles a year ago. However, it was not Smith’s best season. He has to bear some responsibility for the team’s proclivity for giving up big yardage and key plays.

If the Ravens are going to rebound dramatically and turn into a top-5 defense, Hendrickson must dominate on the pass rush and Smith must have a brilliant season.

Offense remains in the hands of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry

It was not a great season for the Ravens offense last season, but there is no reason to panic. Instead of ranking with the top quarterbacks in the game, Jackson battled injuries all season and did not resemble the two-time Most Valuable Player he has been in the past.

Jackson has played 8 seasons for the Ravens and is 29 years old, but he should be able to return to top form since he is healthy as the Ravens prepare to open the season in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Jackson has been a dominant quarterback when healthy, and he should be back in form as the season kicks off.

A healthy Jackson has the ability to put huge numbers on the board. He completed 316 of 474 passes for 4,172 yards with a remarkable 41-4 touchdown to interception ratio two years ago. Of course, Jackson remains a major threat when he runs with the ball. Has rushed for more than 1,000 yards twice in his career, and while he has not done that since 2020, he ran for 915 yards while averaging 6.6 yards per carry in 2024.

Henry is a one-of-a-kind running back

The combination of Jackson and Derrick Henry can be devastating. Henry is the antithesis of the theory that running backs have five seasons to produce in the NFL and then have to move on to another line of work. That is clearly not the case with Henry, who still has plenty of gas in the tank as he starts his third season with the Ravens and 11th year in the NFL.

He is a huge man at 6-3 and 252 pounds, and his power creates confidence along the Baltimore sidelines and fear in his opponents. Henry would be formidable if it was just about power, but he also has the shocking speed to pull away from linebackers. He is not going to be confused with an Olympic sprinter, but he runs incredibly well for a man so large.
Henry ran for 1,595 yards and 16 touchdowns last year while averaging 5.2 yards per carry, and that was impressive.

However, he had 1,921 yards, 16 touchdowns and 5.9 yards per carry in 2024. He could get back to that kind of form — especially if Jackson stays healthy and productive.

Look for Jackson to finish the season as a top-3 candidate for the league’s Most Valuable Player award, and Henry will exceed 1,600 rushing yards.

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