10 Most Interesting Points From the Ravens' New Week 1 Depth Chart

The wait is almost over for the Baltimore Ravens.

After an offseason of major changes, a new coaching staff, a revamped roster and a preseason in which the starters saw limited action, the Ravens are finally preparing for a meaningful football game. Baltimore will open the 2026 regular season Sunday afternoon against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, giving fans their first opportunity to see Jesse Minter's team in a real NFL game.

The Ravens released their Week 1 depth chart Tuesday, and while a depth chart is never a guarantee that every player will receive the exact number of snaps listed, it provides an important snapshot of where the coaching staff currently stands.

There are plenty of familiar names at the top, including Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton. But there are also some developments that deserve closer attention.

Here are the 10 most interesting points from Baltimore's newly released depth chart before the season opener.

1. Lamar Jackson Is Exactly Where Ravens Fans Expected

There is no surprise at quarterback.

Lamar Jackson is listed as the No. 1 quarterback, with Tyler Huntley behind him and rookie Joe Fagnano listed third. The bigger story is the condition of Jackson heading into the season.

After a 2025 season disrupted by injuries, Jackson enters 2026 saying he feels completely healthy. Head coach Jesse Minter has also praised Jackson's physical and mental condition, describing him as being in "peak condition."

That could be extremely important for Baltimore.

The Ravens don't simply need Jackson to be their quarterback. They need him to be the centerpiece of an offense that is transitioning into Declan Doyle's system.

During the preseason, Doyle intentionally kept much of the offense under wraps because Baltimore's starters were not playing. That changes Sunday.

The Colts will be the first opponent to see the real version of this offense.

Jackson's health may ultimately be the biggest factor determining how high Baltimore's ceiling is this season.

2. Derrick Henry Remains the Man at Running Back

Derrick Henry is listed No. 1 at running back, followed by Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali.

Again, there isn't much surprise here, but the importance of Henry's role shouldn't be overlooked.

Baltimore has one of the NFL's most dangerous rushing combinations with Henry and Jackson. The difference in 2026 could be how the new offensive system uses that combination.

Henry remains capable of controlling games with his physical running style, while Jackson creates an entirely different problem for defenses.

Justice Hill's presence as the No. 2 back is also important. Hill brings a different skill set and has the versatility to contribute as a runner, receiver and pass protector.

Rasheen Ali being listed third also gives Baltimore another young option.

But make no mistake: this offense still begins with Henry and Jackson.

3. Zay Flowers Is the No. 1 Receiver

One of the clearest statements on the depth chart is the placement of Zay Flowers at the top of the receiver group.

Flowers is listed No. 1, followed by Devontez Walker and LaJohntay Wester. Rashod Bateman is listed first on the other receiver spot, with Ja'Kobi Lane behind him.

That gives Baltimore an interesting receiver configuration.

Flowers' explosiveness makes him one of the most important players in the offense. He can create separation, take short passes for big gains and force defenses to account for him on every snap.

Bateman provides a different physical profile, while Walker and Lane give the Ravens young players who could earn more opportunities as the season develops.

The most intriguing question may be how much Lane plays.

The rookie has generated plenty of attention during the offseason, and his position behind Bateman suggests the Ravens aren't ready to hand him a starting role.

But that doesn't mean he won't have a significant role.

If Lane continues developing, Baltimore could eventually have one of the more interesting young receiver groups in the AFC.

4. Ja'Kobi Lane Is Already Part of the Conversation

Lane deserves his own point because his appearance on the depth chart is significant.

The rookie receiver is listed behind Bateman, meaning he isn't entering Week 1 as a starter. But being listed as the second receiver at that position puts him in position to get meaningful snaps.

Baltimore needs young receivers to develop.

The Ravens have traditionally built their offense around the running game and tight ends, but the modern NFL requires explosive passing options.

Flowers gives them one.

Bateman provides experience.

Lane could provide another big-play option if he develops quickly.

That makes his Week 1 usage something to watch closely.

If Lane gets on the field early and receives designed opportunities, it could be an indication that the coaching staff believes he is ready for a bigger role than the depth chart suggests.

5. Jovaughn Gwyn Wins the Starting Center Job

Perhaps the most interesting offensive-line development is at center.

Jovaughn Gwyn is listed as the starter.

That is noteworthy because center remained one of Baltimore's unresolved positions entering Week 1. Ravens.com reported that Gwyn had won the competition for the starting job, at least for the opener.

This is an important opportunity for Gwyn.

The center is responsible for more than snapping the football. He must communicate protections, recognize defensive fronts and help coordinate the offensive line.

And he will have to do all of that in a brand-new offensive system.

The Ravens invested heavily in rebuilding their offensive line, and the performance of the group will have a major effect on Jackson and Henry.

If Gwyn can establish himself early, Baltimore may finally have some stability at a position that has been a question mark.

6. The Offensive Line Has a Very Different Look

The entire offensive line deserves attention.

The current depth chart lists Ronnie Stanley at left tackle, John Simpson at left guard, Gwyn at center, rookie Vega Ioane at right guard and Roger Rosengarten at right tackle.

That combination represents a significant transition.

Stanley provides veteran experience at left tackle, but the Ravens also have to manage the long-term future of that position.

Simpson brings experience to the interior.

Gwyn is the new center.

Ioane, a highly regarded young player, is listed as the starter at right guard.

Rosengarten continues to develop at right tackle.

The most intriguing player may be Ioane.

The Ravens selected him in the first round of the 2026 draft, and now he is immediately being trusted with a starting job.

That's a major responsibility.

The Colts will provide his first regular-season test.

If the young offensive line performs well, Baltimore could have one of the NFL's most dangerous rushing attacks.

If it struggles, the pressure will immediately fall on the coaching staff to find answers.

7. Mark Andrews Remains a Major Part of the Offense

Mark Andrews remains the top tight end on the depth chart.

That matters because Andrews gives Jackson a familiar and trusted target in the passing game.

Baltimore also lists Durham Smythe at the other tight-end spot, giving the Ravens the ability to use multiple tight-end formations.

Andrews' role could be particularly important while Doyle establishes his offense.

The Ravens have the ability to stress defenses with Henry in the backfield, Jackson under center and Andrews moving around the formation.

That creates difficult decisions for opposing defensive coordinators.

If the Colts commit too heavily to stopping Henry, Jackson and Andrews can attack the passing game.

If they focus on Jackson, Henry can punish them on the ground.

The Week 1 matchup should provide the first real glimpse of how Doyle plans to put those pieces together.

8. The Defense Finally Gets Its First Real Test

One of the strangest aspects of Baltimore's preseason was that the defensive starters did not play.

That means Sunday will be the first regular-season test for Jesse Minter's defense.

The results of the preseason were encouraging, with Baltimore allowing only 13 points over three games, but those results have to be placed in context.

The starters weren't playing.

Now they face Jonathan Taylor.

Taylor rushed for 1,585 yards last season, finishing third in the NFL, and the Ravens know they must tackle well to slow him down.

This makes Baltimore's defensive performance one of the biggest stories of Week 1.

Roquan Smith and the linebackers will have to be disciplined.

The defensive line must control the line of scrimmage.

The secondary must prevent explosive plays.

And the entire defense has to adjust to Minter's system in a meaningful game.

9. Kyle Hamilton Is One of the Players to Watch

Kyle Hamilton enters the season as one of Baltimore's most important defensive players.

His versatility allows the Ravens to use him in multiple ways, and a new defensive system could create even more opportunities.

Hamilton can play deep safety, come closer to the line of scrimmage, cover tight ends and contribute as a blitzer.

That versatility is especially valuable against a team like Indianapolis.

Minter will have plenty of opportunities to move Hamilton around and create confusion for the Colts' offense.

The Week 1 game could provide an early indication of exactly how Minter intends to use one of his best defensive pieces.

If Hamilton is constantly moving around before and after the snap, expect him to become one of the most difficult players for Indianapolis to account for.

10. Baltimore's Special Teams Have a New Look Too

One of the less obvious but important developments is the special-teams configuration.

Rasheen Ali is listed as the leading kick returner, adding another responsibility to his role as the third running back.

That could give Ali an opportunity to make an immediate impact.

Special teams often get overlooked until something goes wrong.

For a team with playoff aspirations, however, field position can make a significant difference.

A strong return can change the starting position of an entire drive.

A mistake can do the opposite.

The Ravens will be looking for dependable special-teams play as they begin a season with expectations that go far beyond simply making the playoffs.

The Depth Chart Is Only the Beginning

The Ravens' Week 1 depth chart gives us plenty to discuss, but it should not be treated as a prediction of exactly how the game will unfold.

The biggest takeaway is that Baltimore has settled on its initial starting group while still having several young players capable of pushing for larger roles.

The offensive line may be the most important development.

Gwyn has won the center job, Ioane is beginning his NFL career as a starter, and Rosengarten continues to develop. If those players can hold up, Baltimore's offense could be extremely difficult to defend.

Jackson's health is equally important.

The Ravens need the quarterback to be the dynamic player we've seen throughout his career, and everything coming out of Baltimore suggests he feels ready.

Then there is Henry.

At 32 years old, Henry remains one of the biggest matchup problems in football. Pairing him with a healthy Jackson gives Baltimore a foundation few teams can match.

On defense, the biggest question is how quickly Minter's unit translates from practice and preseason preparation into regular-season football.

The Colts present a legitimate test because Jonathan Taylor can punish poor tackling and Indianapolis has enough offensive talent to expose communication problems.

That makes Sunday much more than another football game.

It is the first real look at the Jesse Minter era.

It is the first regular-season game with Declan Doyle calling the offense.

It is the first real test of the Ravens' rebuilt offensive line.

It is the first opportunity to see a healthy Lamar Jackson in 2026.

And it is the first chance for Baltimore's revamped roster to show whether the optimism surrounding the team is justified.

The Ravens enter Indianapolis with plenty of expectations.

Now the depth chart has been released.

The offseason is over.

The speculation is almost over.

On Sunday, the Ravens finally have to play football.