Ravens player in danger of losing starting job to rookie after 2026 NFL Draft

The Baltimore Ravens did a great job in the 2026 NFL Draft as they usually do. Baltimore added some talented prospects in the draft and a few should be in a position to contribute right away. The Ravens brought in Olaivavega Ioane in the first round, who should immediately become the team’s new starter at left guard.

But Ioane is not the only Ravens rookie who could be starting in 2026. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter will be taking over play-calling duties on defense and will implement his scheme in Baltimore. That could lead to some surprises on the defensive side of the ball.

How many Ravens rookies will have big roles later this fall? And do any rookies have the chance to steal a starting job away from an established veteran?

One Ravens player stands out as being in the most danger of losing their starting job to a rookie during the 2026 season.

Rookie Zion Young could compete for a starting job next to Trey Hendrickson

The addition of Zion Young was one of Baltimore’s best moves during the draft. Baltimore snagged Young in the second round, adding yet another edge rusher to their rotation. The rookie has a clear path to snaps during the 2026 season.

Baltimore’s biggest training camp battle on defense will be on the edge. Hendrickson already has one spot locked down, which leaves only one remaining in base defense looks. Young will compete with Tavius Robinson and Mike Green for those snaps. But there’s one facet of Young’s game that gives him a significant advantage over both of those other players.

Minter explained that Young’s presence at the line of scrimmage made him attractive to Baltimore’s front office.

“He’s very powerful in the run game, meaning, when he strikes blocks, they go the other way,” Minter said. “When people pull on him and he strikes them, it’s a train wreck. Also, I thought he made major improvements this year as a pass rusher.”

NFL scouts agree, praising Young’s ability to set an edge in the running game while also collapsing the pocket on passing downs.

No other edge rusher on the Ravens appears to have the same run defense skills that Young has. As a result, he could earn a consistent role for himself on early downs as a run defender almost immediately during his rookie campaign.

Depending on how he performs during training camp and the preseason, Young could even begin his rookie season as a full-time starter.

Will Tavius Robinson blow his opportunity to become a starter in 2026?

Robinson stands out as the most obvious player who could be hurt by Young’s possible rise to prominence.

If the 2026 season started today, Robinson would likely start on the edge opposite of Hendrickson. He has the experience, spending the past three years on Baltimore’s defense. Robinson has been a consistent contributor, starting a total of 17 games since entering the NFL in 2023.

During that span, Baltimore has used Robinson both as a pass rusher and run defender. If the team’s new coaching staff agrees with that usage, it suggests that Robinson could be in for plenty of snaps in 2026. But that does not mean he’ll actually be a starter.

The only other player to consider is second-year edge rusher Mike Green. The former second-round pick did play over 700 snaps during the 2025 season, but only started in one game. He projects as primarily a pass rush specialist in 2026. As such, Green may need some more time to develop before he can push Robinson or Young for starting snaps.

Ultimately, Robinson should be most worried about somehow losing a training camp battle with Young. But if Robinson can hold his own, he may still be splitting snaps with Young throughout the 2026 season.

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