░U░N░E░X░P░E░C░T░E░D░ ░T░W░I░S░T░:░ ░N░o░t░r░e░ ░D░Baltimore Ravens First Padded Practice Shines Spotlight on Standout Performers as Surprises Emerge Across the Depth Chart
In a sweltering July afternoon at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Maryland, the Baltimore Ravens took the field for their first fully padded practice of the 2026 training camp. It was a moment players and coaches alike had circled on the calendar—a day when the helmets crack louder, the tempo hits another gear, and the early roster projections start to take a tangible shape. But what unfolded during the nearly three-hour session went far beyond the typical clanging of shoulder pads and fundamentals.
What started as a routine day of install and position drills turned into an unexpected twist in the early narrative of this Ravens season. While veterans like Lamar Jackson and Roquan Smith displayed their usual command, it was a cluster of under-the-radar players, including a relatively unknown linebacker from Notre Dame, that stole the spotlight and left both coaches and fans buzzing with anticipation.
Among the day’s breakout stars was rookie linebacker Jaylen Sneed—yes, that Jaylen Sneed, a former top recruit whose college career at Notre Dame was filled with moments of brilliance but also marred by inconsistency and injuries. Not many analysts projected him as more than a special teams contributor in his rookie year with Baltimore. But today? He was the headline.
From the opening whistle, Sneed flew around the field with rare speed and aggression, showing an instinctual nose for the football that made even the veterans take notice. During team drills, he logged a pair of would-be tackles for loss and broke up a tight-window pass intended for Isaiah Likely in the flat. The energy he brought, matched with his sideline-to-sideline range, made it impossible not to notice him.
“Jaylen’s play speed jumped off the tape when we scouted him,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said after practice. “But when you see it live, in pads, and you see him diagnosing and reacting with that kind of urgency? That’s something special. He’s earning more looks.”
The buzz around Sneed was just one of several surprises that emerged. Running back Justice Hill, fighting for a meaningful role in a backfield crowded with J.K. Dobbins, Keaton Mitchell, and rookie power runner Malachi Durant, looked electric. Hill’s low center of gravity and improved burst were on full display during inside-run periods, where he broke multiple tackles and even lowered the boom on backup safety Ar’Darius Washington. It was an emphatic message that Hill isn’t here just to fill out the roster—he wants a real slice of the offensive pie.
“I know what’s at stake this year,” Hill said post-practice. “We’re deep, we’re talented, but I’m not giving up ground to anybody. I worked all offseason to be explosive, to be tougher through contact, and it’s time to show it.”
Over on the offensive line, one of the most encouraging developments came in the form of second-year tackle Daniel Faalele, who was matched up against Odafe Oweh in several one-on-one drills. Faalele, who slimmed down slightly over the offseason and improved his footwork, held his own—and at times stonewalled Oweh, who’s known for his first-step quickness. While Ronnie Stanley continues to rehab and rest on a vet schedule, Faalele could be carving out a legitimate shot to start on the left side if needed.
“Big Dan looks leaner, quicker,” said offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris. “We knew he had the size and strength. Now he’s putting it all together. This is a huge camp for him, and he’s making his case early.”
But the most buzzworthy moment of the practice belonged, once again, to Lamar Jackson. During a situational two-minute drill against the first-team defense, Jackson orchestrated a 65-yard touchdown drive in just under 90 seconds. The drive featured a dazzling 22-yard scramble, a pinpoint throw on the run to Zay Flowers, and a final strike to Mark Andrews on a fade route in the back of the end zone. Jackson’s command of the offense, his chemistry with his top targets, and his footwork in the pocket were all in midseason form.
Head coach John Harbaugh praised the drive in his media availability. “That’s what you want to see out of your leader. Composure, creativity, execution. Lamar’s locked in, and it’s setting the tone for everyone else.”
Still, while the stars did their thing, the first padded practice was about the grinders—the guys battling for spots, who see every snap as their audition. And perhaps no one took advantage of the moment more than wide receiver Tylan Wallace.
Buried in a crowded receiver room, Wallace made multiple contested catches, including a diving snag over the middle during a third-and-long scenario that drew loud cheers from the sideline. Known primarily for his work on special teams, Wallace is out to prove he can be more than a gunner. With Odell Beckham Jr. no longer on the roster and Bateman working back from injury, the WR3 and WR4 spots are wide open—and Wallace is now firmly in the conversation.
Defensively, second-year safety Kyu Blu Kelly also turned heads. He came away with a diving interception during seven-on-sevens, jumping a seam route intended for Charlie Kolar. His instincts in coverage, combined with his versatility to drop into the box or cover the slot, are making him an increasingly valuable chess piece in the Ravens’ evolving secondary.
The defensive backs, as a unit, were especially physical. Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis had his best day of camp yet, including two pass breakups and a near interception. The overall physicality and intensity of the defense wasn’t lost on Harbaugh, who remarked, “We want competition. Iron sharpens iron. That’s what we’re seeing out here. Everyone’s fighting for something.”
Even among the more established veterans, there was an edge—an awareness that nothing is guaranteed. Roquan Smith led huddle breakdowns and barked instructions with the urgency of a man who knows what a top-tier defense should look like. His energy infected the entire unit.
Another underdog standout was tight end Scotty Washington, who has quietly impressed in the early part of camp. Washington, a converted wideout with a massive 6’5” frame, used his body effectively against linebackers and made two chain-moving receptions in red zone work. His blend of size, hands, and versatility could earn him a spot in Greg Roman’s expanded tight end-heavy sets, particularly with Likely and Andrews drawing most of the attention.
So, where does all this leave the Ravens after just one padded session? In a word—energized.
This wasn’t just a good practice. It was the kind that changes internal conversations, reshapes position battles, and injects a franchise with renewed belief. When lesser-known players rise, it puts pressure on incumbents and raises the overall ceiling of the roster. The Ravens don’t just want to contend—they want to dominate. And that means depth. That means discovery.
Harbaugh summarized it best during his final remarks. “You come out here, and you think you know who your guys are. Then someone like Jaylen [Sneed] or Tylan [Wallace] makes you sit up straighter. That’s why we put on the pads. That’s when it gets real.”
Indeed, it got real—and fast.
The 2026 Ravens aren’t just a team full of stars; they’re a team full of hungry, focused competitors. And while fans might’ve come into camp expecting to watch Jackson or Andrews shine, they’re leaving today’s session talking about Sneed, Hill, Wallace, and Faalele.
The unexpected twist isn’t that the stars performed—it’s that the rest of the roster may be catching up. And if that continues?
Watch out, NFL. The Ravens are deeper, hungrier, and more dangerous than anyone thought.
