A look at five Baltimore Ravens players to watch on offense in Week 1.
With Week 1 action approaching fast, the Baltimore Ravens will face off against the Indianapolis Colts in what will be the first regular season game under new head coach Jesse Minter.
With a host of new and returning players, there will be plenty to pay attention to. That said, here are five offensive players to watch in the first game of the season.
5. Vega Ioane
The Ravens are entrusting the right side of the line to rookie guard Vega Ioane. While he has received plenty of praise through training camp, his performance will now be under a bigger microscope.
Even highly touted rookies struggle at times, and Ioane will need to play a very physical and clean game. Additionally, when adversity strikes, how he handles that adversity and rebounds in real-time will be ultra-important.
4. Justice Hill
It would be easier to put Derrick Henry here, but the assumption is that Henry will not miss a step in 2026. That said, backup running back Justice Hill will need to separate himself to ensure he is not unseated by Rasheen Ali or rookie Adam Randall.
Henry should touch the ball as much as he can, but the backup running back position will also be very telling. Hill has a big opportunity to establish himself as the right rotational player in the backfield.
3. Matthew Hibner/Josh Cuevas
Mark Andrews is the clear leader in the tight end room, and putting two players in one spot might sound like cheating, but both rookies Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas have a shot at establishing themselves as the future of the position.
Both Hibner and Cueva have shown some strong skills during preseason, and they now need to showcase that on the field.
Cuevas might be the dual-threat tight end to watch for in terms of how he has handled blocking assignments and picked up strong yardage during preseason.
2. Ja'Kobi Lane
There could be a chance that Rashod Bateman will be suspended, and that would push Ja'Kobi Lane even further up the depth chart. Currently, he may be the WR3 alongside Zay Flowers and Bateman, but he could jump up to WR2 if a suspension is handed down.
Lane has been all the rage in training camp, and his highlight reel plays have led to his establishing himself as a strong weapon for Lamar Jackson.
Lane can further cement his position if he has a strong first game, effectively keeping him as a starter through the regular season.
1. Lamar Jackson
Jackson will always be the top player on offense, and the success of the unit lives and breathes on his ability to function at a high level. That was plenty evident in 2025, when he suffered a hamstring injury and more that kept him out for four games.
Additionally, Jackson could reach a new level under offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, and it will be exciting to see how the pair work with one another.
Whether or not Jackson continues to run the ball or plants his feet, this Ravens offense may reach a brand-new level in 2026.
