The Ravens’ 2026 draft class absolutely showed out in their preseason opener against Philly, man. It wasn’t just a win, it was a clear statement from some fresh faces ready to make their mark right out of the gate, giving us our first real look at how these guys fit.
Ioane’s Limited Snaps Shouted Volumes
Vega Ioane, the first-round pick at No. 14 overall, only saw 15 snaps at guard in his debut, but holy smokes, he made ’em count. His physicality was legit, translating immediately to the pros. The dude was constantly looking to finish blocks, put defenders on the ground, and even find extra work when he wasn’t covered. Talk about playing hungry! In pass protection, Ioane flashed that anchor and raw play strength we heard so much about from his college tape. He handled several one on one reps without giving up an inch, and his awareness against movement up front was on point. When Philly tried stunts, Ioane did a fantastic job redirecting rushers and passing them off within the protection scheme instead of getting caught chasing. For a guy in his first NFL action, he looked completely comfortable handling that pro power, playing with the exact finishing mentality you want from an interior lineman. That’s a huge sign for the O-line, no doubt.
Sarratt’s Six Catches Showed Serious Skill
Then you got Elijah Sarratt, the fourth-round wide receiver at No. 115 overall, who was making plays all over his 30 snaps. He ended up with six receptions for 66 yards, flashing all the traits that made him such an intriguing pick. His route running? Sharp. On one specific one on one rep, Sarratt used a super convincing head fake to manipulate the defensive back and create real separation. And forget about soft hands, this dude is tough at the catch point, securing multiple receptions in traffic even with defensive backs draped all over him. He was just as effective against zone coverage, consistently finding open areas, presenting himself as a target, and making moves after the catch to keep working downfield. That combo of route detail, spatial awareness, and his ability to finish through contact made for a seriously productive debut. The stats are cool, but the big takeaway is that his college strengths are translating big time. This first NFL action showed a receiver who can flat-out create separation with technique, find voids against zone, and stay reliable when the throwing windows get tight.
These guys, especially Ioane and Sarratt, just gave Ravens fans a taste of what’s coming. They’ve laid down a marker and shown they belong, giving everyone a lot to be hyped about as the preseason rolls on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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