The 2026 Baltimore Ravens thread

xXMASHERXx

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They can't stand a black man with a seat at the table and given full-assurance from the top.
Biscoitti effectively shytted on a bunch of their racial tropes and agenda-ridden columns
People are going to spin things to create the story they want. I took Bisciotti's comments as him saying that he's going to listen to feedback from a few people including Lamar and wants to interview the final candidates together but ultimately the final decision will be made by him. From what I got from the press conference is that he really, really likes Lamar and will do everything he can to ensure he retires a Raven. That sounds like power to me.
 

STAN JONES

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People are going to spin things to create the story they want. I took Bisciotti's comments as him saying that he's going to listen to feedback from a few people including Lamar and wants to interview the final candidates together but ultimately the final decision will be made by him. From what I got from the press conference is that he really, really likes Lamar and will do everything he can to ensure he retires a Raven. That sounds like power to me.
he actually said he wants DeCosta to pick the coach

hes just gonna wait til the end to give his input but he said flat out this will be Erics hire

but I agree with everything else you said

what I took away from the presser was that Biscotti wants Lamar to be more involved with the off the field stuff

he wants him to speak up more when he has a problem with the roster or coaching but Lamar is naturally a non confrontational laid back guy
 

STAN JONES

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THE CONTRACT


Madubuike signed a 4-year, $98M deal in the Spring of 2024. That deal included $75.5M in guaranteed money, of which $53.5M was fully guaranteed. Madubuike’s 2026 base salary of $22M was initially guaranteed for injury only, but it became fully guaranteed in March of 2025.


Madubuike’s 2026 Cap number is $30.975M, which includes that $22M guaranteed base salary and the $8.975M bonus prorations from his signing and option bonuses. His 2027 salary is $22.5M, but none of that amount is guaranteed. The deal also includes two (2) void years in 2028 and 2029 to allow for the maximum proration of five (5) years for the signing and options bonuses.


Partly because of those void years (and a 2024 restructure), there is still a whopping $51.925M in dead money that must be dealt with in 2026 and beyond. That amount includes the $22M in 2026 guaranteed salary and $29.925M in bonus prorations for 2026-2029. Those bonus prorations are for money that has already been paid to Madubuike via bonuses and, injury or not, must at some point be accounted for on the Ravens’ Cap.


Madubuike’s 2027 compensation of $22.5M (which includes his $18.5M salary and a $4M Roster Bonus) is not guaranteed.


So, no matter what, if Madubuike’s career is over, there is going to be a lot of Salary Cap pain for the Ravens (to go along with the loss of their best defensive lineman).


RETIREMENT


This is easily the best scenario for the Ravens because it would relieve them of having to pay Madubuike’s $22M salary in cash and reduce the dead money to just $29.925M.




This, unfortunately, is also the least likely outcome.


To be clear, Madubuike is under no obligation to retire due to the injury, and he is 100% entitled to the fully guaranteed $22M. This is exactly why players and agents fight for both injury-guaranteed and fully guaranteed salaries.


If Madubuike did agree to retire and forgo his $22M fully guaranteed salary, the Ravens and Madubuike would likely restructure the terms of his deal to allow for the Ravens to use a post-June 1 release designation and split the $29.925M in dead money between 2026 ($8.975M) and 2027 ($20.95M). For Cap accounting purposes, they would also likely reduce his $22M salary down to the minimum of $1.215M (replacing the difference with a roster bonus due after June 1). Since Madubuike would be retiring, neither of those numbers matter much to him, but this accounting trick would allow the Ravens to receive the bulk of the Cap savings ($20.785M) in March, as opposed to having to wait until after June 1 to receive the savings (due to the post-June 1 release designation). This is a maneuver the Ravens have used in recent years with the release of WR Odell Beckham and the retirement of DT Micheal Pierce.


While having to take on $20.95M in dead money in 2027 is certainly not ideal, it’s far better than taking the entire $51.925M all in 2026 (which would be $20.95M more than his present Cap number of $30.975M).


Again, this is the best scenario for the Ravens’ Cap, but the least likely outcome.


NON-RETIREMENT


If Madubuike doesn’t retire, then he will spend the 2026 season on IR and receive the $22M guaranteed salary. His Cap number while on IR would be $30.975M.


The Ravens would then have four (4) options for handling 2027 and beyond for Salary Cap purposes:


  • They could still use a 2026 post-June 1 release, which wouldn’t save any Cap space in 2026 (due to the fully guaranteed $22M salary), but would again allow them to push $20.95M of the $51.925M in dead money into 2027.
  • They could restructure Madubuike’s contract by converting most of the $22M salary into a Signing Bonus which would prorate over the four (4) remaining years of the deal – 2 real years and 2 void years. If they were to convert $20M of the $22M into a bonus, it would reduce Madubuike’s 2026 Cap number by $15M (from $30.975M to $15.975M). This would then allow the Ravens to use a post-June 1 release in 2027, with $13.975M in dead money on the 2027 Cap and $21.975M in dead money on the 2028 Cap. To be clear, this method would actually add to the future dead money in 2027 and 2028, but does create $15M in Cap space in 2026 and pushes most of the dead money into 2028 when the increases in the Cap will in theory make it easier to accommodate.
  • They could just hold onto Madubuike until March of 2027 and simply release him (or process his retirement) at that time. This would also mean $20.95M in dead money in 2027.
  • They could emulate how they revised Beckham’s deal in 2024 by replacing the 2028 void year with a dummy salary. By adding the dummy salary in 2028, it replaces the void year in 2028 and allows the Ravens to do a 2027 post-June 1 release and spread the remaining $20.95M in dead money between 2027 ($8.975M) and 2028 ($11.975M).

Of these choices, this last one is probably the most likely scenario for how this will play out if Madubuike cannot resume his career. It allows the Ravens to push out the dead money as far as they can and lessens the impact of the dead money in any given year. This would still mean dead money of $30.975M (2026), $8.975M (2027) and $11.975M (2028), which still isn’t very palatable, but is probably the best of several bad options given that there is $51.925M in dead money that must be addressed.


Again, the hope is that there will be good news at some point and Madubuike will be able to return next year, but the scant amount of public information to date coupled with the squeamish way in which Harbaugh addresses questions about Madubuike, doesn’t paint a bright picture for the 28-year-old two-time Pro Bowler from Dallas, Texas.


 

Piff Perkins

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I watched that press conference and was really impressed by your owner. Clear ego on display as you'd expect from a billionaire, but he also displayed clear emotional intelligence and competency. Also seemed to allude to the GM being safe for now as a means of getting him to lock the fukk in. I really fukked with how he shot down the bullshyt reports about Lamar having issues with Harbaugh or the OC. That shyt is lazy agenda pushing from the media. Dude missed some games late and caught more hell than Burrow has in years despite missing far more games.

Parallels between the Lions and Ravens this offseason are wild. Recently paid player potentially facing career threatening recovery VS cap cutting consequences. Big changes guaranteed but a core set of young players/vets ensure you can get right back to competing if you fix the obvious issues. And o-line concerns. People around here want your center but I assume there's no way you let him walk in free agency.
 

Blessings

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don’t know how I’d feel about Davis Webb getting the HC job

might just be an OC option tho




Will definitely be
don’t know how I’d feel about Davis Webb getting the HC job

might just be an OC option tho




Will likely be Vance Joseph’s OC if he gets a HC opportunity.
Tom Brady and the Raiders are also high on him.
2 years older than Lamar, if Lamar fukks with I can’t see why not for OC.

Doesn’t call plays, but I don’t th
 

Shamayw_33

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Mock draft 1.0 (Pre Combine) - I focused on beefing up the dline and oline in this draft. These are the Ravens biggest needs this off season IMO. I will change things up each draft, so we can get to know each of the players that might be there when the Ravens are picking. I honestly think they will go oline very early with hopes that a new COMPETENT DC with a different scheme will develop their existing personnel AND if Madabuike's recovery goes better than expected...meaning he returns!
Pick #14 - Peter Woods DL Clemson
Scouting Report: Strengths
Explosiveness off the snap jumps off the tape - consistently the first defender moving at the snap, gaining immediate leverage advantage that disrupts blocking schemes before they develop.
Rare athletic fluidity for his size allows him to bend and contort through gaps that should be closed to a 315-pound man - showed this repeatedly against Georgia's NFL-caliber interior line.
Violent, heavy hands that land with shocking power - when he connects cleanly on a punch, opposing linemen visibly rock backward, creating instant separation even against double teams.
Versatility to play anywhere from 3-technique to outside edge - demonstrated this against Virginia where he recorded five tackles and dominated from multiple alignments across the front.
Exceptional run defense instincts - consistently diagnoses blocking schemes pre-snap, maintains proper gap integrity, and shows the processing speed to adjust when plays develop differently than expected.
Powerful lower half generates tremendous drive when bull rushing - can walk offensive tackles straight back into the quarterback's lap when he decides to convert speed to power.
Shows advanced hand-fighting techniques, including well-timed swipes, chops, and counters that suggest hours of technical refinement rarely seen in collegiate defenders.
Motor runs white-hot regardless of situation - chases plays 20+ yards downfield and maintains same intensity in fourth quarter as first, evidenced by his late-game production against Texas.
Made the 2025 Feldman freaks list - he wrote:"His latest body composition scans prior to camp showed that 240 of his 310 pounds are lean muscle mass. He’s a rare combination of power and speed for a 300-plus pounder. This offseason, Woods bench pressed 490 pounds and did 34 reps of 225. He squatted 700 pounds and power cleaned 385, ran a 4.86 40-yard dash and vertical jumped 33 inches."
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
Pass rush plan occasionally becomes predictable - relies heavily on first-step explosion and bull rush rather than working through a diverse sequence of moves when initial attack fails.
Tackling technique shows concerning inconsistency - plays with such aggression that he sometimes overruns ball carriers or fails to break down properly before contact.
Can get caught playing too high when fatigued, allowing offensive linemen to get under his pads and neutralize his natural power advantage late in games.
Sometimes struggles to disengage quickly once blockers lock onto his frame - flashes the hand technique but hasn't consistently applied it when tightly engaged with quality opponents.
Production doesn't yet match physical dominance - despite regularly disrupting plays, his sack and TFL numbers haven't reached elite levels that his traits suggest they could.

Pick #45 - R. Mason Thomas EDGE Oklahoma
Scouting Report: Strengths
Quick first step creates immediate separation from tackles and forces rushed kick-steps that compromise blocking angles and timing
Natural bend around the corner resembles a sports car hugging curves - maintains balance while generating tremendous torque through his hips
Hand fighting technique displays surprising sophistication with effective long-arm moves and swipes that keep blockers from latching onto his frame
Closing speed to quarterbacks borders on frightening - accelerates through final yards like he's shot from a cannon
Relentless motor drives multiple rush attempts per play, consistently working back inside when his initial move gets stonewalled
Deceptive play strength allows him to anchor against bigger bodies and squeeze running lanes despite his relatively modest frame
Field awareness shines in his ability to maintain proper rush depth while executing complex moves without losing quarterback positioning
Three-down versatility emerges through competent run defense and occasional coverage drops that suggest legitimate every-down potential
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
Undersized frame at just 240 pounds creates obvious mismatch concerns against NFL tackles who routinely carry 60-plus additional pounds
Injury history with ankle problems in consecutive seasons raises red flags about long-term durability and availability
Rush technique occasionally breaks down when he stands too tall, surrendering his leverage advantage to longer blockers
Limited counter-move arsenal relies heavily on pure speed, making him predictable against patient, technical tackles
Contain discipline lapses while hunting sacks create quarterback escape lanes and compromise defensive integrity

Pick #80 - Chase Bisontis Interior Offensive Lineman Texas A&M
Scouting Report: Strengths
Devastating run blocker who attacks defenders with violent hand placement and drives them backwards with sustained aggression.
Exceptional athletic ability for his size, displaying smooth movement skills when pulling and reaching the second level effectively.
Flexibility to play multiple positions along the line, having started games at both tackle and guard successfully.
Strong lower body foundation allows him to anchor against bull rushes and maintain leverage throughout the play.
Impressive hip flexibility enables him to sink into proper blocking position and explode upward into defenders.
Physical finisher who plays through the whistle and continues driving legs to create maximum displacement.
Shows excellent recovery ability when initially beaten, using his strength to regain position and complete blocks.
Natural scraper who gets to linebackers cleanly and has the mobility to handle combination blocks effectively.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
Inconsistent hand placement in pass protection leads to holding penalties and allows defenders to gain inside leverage.
Tendency to lean forward and reach for defenders rather than staying patient in his base stance.
Struggles with lateral movement when defending against edge rushers who use speed-to-power conversion techniques.
Hip sink consistency remains an issue, particularly in pass protection situations where he needs to maintain proper depth.
Mirror skills need refinement when defensive players change direction, often arriving late to new rush angles.

Pick #115 - Kage Casey OT Boise State
Scouting Report: Strengths
Displays disciplined hand placement and solid punch timing that helps neutralize college-level speed rushers attempting to turn the corner
Shows good patience in his pass sets, rarely overcommitting to initial moves while working to maintain balance through contact
Finishes blocks in the run game with effort, consistently staying engaged through the whistle on combo blocks
Demonstrates adequate lateral agility for his size, using good footwork to mirror most Mountain West edge rushers
Processes line stunts and basic twists reasonably well, showing functional awareness when passing off assignments to guards
Recovers from initial losses better than most, using effort and determination to salvage broken plays
Maintains consistent effort regardless of game situation, playing with the same intensity whether ahead or behind
Shows solid understanding of blocking angles in zone schemes, reaching the second level with decent efficiency
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
Lacks ideal height, with below-average arm length that NFL edge rushers will exploit
Struggles to anchor against legitimate bull rushers, often giving ground when power rushers get into his chest
Displays inconsistent hand strength and grip, allowing defenders to disengage and shed blocks too easily
Gets caught lunging and overextending on reach blocks, whiffing on athletic linebackers at the second level
Bends at the waist too frequently, compromising his base and losing leverage battles against stronger defenders.
 
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Shamayw_33

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Mock Draft 1.0 (Pre Combine) continued
Pick #152 - Jaeden Roberts OG Alabama
Scouting Report: Strengths
Operates with devastating initial surge power, particularly in down blocks where he can cave entire sides of the defensive front and create highway-sized cutback lanes for runners.
Brings a phone booth brawler's mentality to the position, showcasing the vengeful hand strength to latch onto defenders and drive them into the turf when he smells blood.
Demonstrates impressive recovery strength when initially beaten, using his raw power to re-anchor and halt momentum even after losing the initial leverage battle.
Shows advanced understanding of angles in zone schemes, using his frame to wall off backside pursuers rather than relying solely on athleticism to reach them.
Possesses the rare ability to move defensive tackles vertically in short-yardage situations, creating the crucial inches that separate conversions from punts in key moments.
Maintains a clean pocket interior with consistent depth, rarely allowing penetration that forces quarterbacks to abandon their platform or rush throws prematurely.
Brings the nasty temperament coaches crave, consistently looking to put defenders on their backs and racking up impressive knockdown totals even in limited snap counts.
Shows impressive growth trajectory and hasn't reached his ceiling, demonstrating considerable technical refinement from his early college film to current tape.
Made the 2025 Feldman freaks list - he wrote: "The 6-5, 327-pound senior has just 18 percent body fat and 272 pounds of lean muscle on his frame. Roberts’ power numbers again were remarkable. He squatted 805 pounds and power cleaned 415 while his bench press stayed the same (525). He vertical jumped 29 inches and hit 19.06 mph."
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
Labors when working to the second level, often taking inefficient angles to linebackers that allow them to slip tackles or mirror and defeat his blocks in space.
Struggles against quick-twitch interior rushers who can beat his initial set with explosive first steps, causing him to lunge and compromise balance.
Hand placement becomes erratic when fatigued, allowing defenders to get into his chest and control engagement points that should be his strength.
Shows concerning medical history with multiple injuries that have visibly affected his movement skills and lateral agility throughout stretches of his career.
Lacks the recovery quickness to redirect against counters once committed in pass protection, leaving him vulnerable to sophisticated pass rush plans.

Pick #160 - Michael Taafe Safety Texas
Scouting Report: Strengths
Cerebral processor who diagnoses route combinations pre-snap and adjusts coverage shells with veteran savvy rarely seen in collegiate safeties
Quick-trigger ball hawk in zone coverage with exceptional route recognition skills and anticipatory breaks on underneath throws
Seamlessly transitions from backpedal to plant-and-drive downhill with controlled acceleration and balanced tackling position
Showcases physicality at catch points, timing contact to disrupt passing windows, though drew controversy for a borderline targeting non-call in the CFP quarterfinal against Arizona State
Cornerback-caliber man coverage technique against tight ends and running backs, mirrors with patient footwork and maintains leverage
Special teams demon with verified production as both gunner and punt block specialist - showed dog mentality fighting through multiple blockers
Film junkie with clear command of defensive adjustments, repeatedly seen communicating coverage rotations pre-snap
Natural hands with ball-tracking ability on vertical routes, capable of playing through receiver's hands without drawing flags
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
Limited physical frame lacks prototypical bulk for box safety duties and shows hip-drop struggles when taking on lead blockers in run support
Tendency to overrun pursuit angles against outside zone, creating cutback opportunities for more patient running backs
Linear athlete with average recovery speed, struggles to regain position when initially beaten vertically from press alignments
Inconsistent wrap-up technique in space with dropped eyes leading to missed tackles, especially against more elusive receivers
Concerning tackle technique with history of leading with helmet - notably in CFP quarterfinal vs Arizona State where a controversial non-targeting call sparked widespread criticism from analysts and former officials
Can get washed out against pulling guards and larger tight ends when operating near line of scrimmage against gap runs

Pick #172 - Malachi Lawrence EDGE UCF
Scouting Report: Strengths
Outstanding physical profile featuring legitimate NFL size at 6'4", 250 pounds with exceptional 35-inch arms that rank among the best measurements in this edge rusher class and provide natural reach advantages in pass rush situations.
Elite pressure rate speaks volumes about his effectiveness when attacking the quarterback, as his 22.7% pressure-per-snap ratio tied the best in the Big 12 and matched elite prospects, demonstrating consistent ability to collapse the pocket.
Gets off the line with a lightning first step and displays acceleration that catches offensive tackles off guard, particularly when he uses hesitation moves to create angles and attack the edge with legitimate speed to turn the corner.
Versatile rush plan keeps blockers guessing with an extensive toolbox including chops, club-swims, inside spins, long-arms, rips, and swipes that he mixes effectively throughout games rather than becoming predictable with a single go-to move.
Active hands stay engaged throughout the entire rep and help him stay alive on rushes, allowing him to generate second-chance pressure opportunities late in downs when initial moves don't result in immediate wins.
Natural bend in his lower half allows him to sink his hips and flatten his rush angle when working around the edge, turning speed into functional pass rush wins by converting the corner efficiently toward the quarterback.
Relentless motor carries him through the whistle and manifests in pursuit opportunities, where his effort level produces pressures on scramble situations and helps him remain a factor even when the play moves away from his gap.
Delivers when opportunities present themselves in high-leverage moments, evidenced by his strip-sack fumble at West Virginia and his two-sack performance against Baylor when UCF needed defensive production in tough conference matchups.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses not available at this time.

Pick #173 - Hezekiah Masses CB California
Not available

Pick #249 - Diego Pavia QB Missouri
Scouting Report: Strengths
Exceptional pocket awareness allows him to sense pressure and navigate traffic with veteran-like instincts for extending plays.
Devastating dual-threat capability combines surprising acceleration through gaps with punishing contact balance that wears down defenders.
Mental toughness borders on legendary - bounces back from mistakes with ice-cold composure and never lets adversity affect his decision-making.
Deep ball accuracy reaches elite levels when he plants his feet and drives through his release point.
Football intelligence manifests in quick pre-snap reads and ability to identify blitz packages before they develop fully.
Clutch gene activates in high-pressure moments, consistently delivering his best performances when stakes are highest and spotlight brightest.
Leadership presence commands respect from teammates who rally around his gritty, never-quit mentality and infectious competitive fire.
Red zone efficiency stems from his ability to create plays with both arm and legs when pocket collapses.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
Height limitations at 6'0" create significant visibility issues over NFL defensive lines and complicate throwing lanes in traffic.
Undersized frame at 200 pounds raises serious durability concerns against NFL-caliber pass rushers who can overpower him consistently.
Pocket presence occasionally abandons him too quickly when first read isn't there, leading to unnecessary scrambles instead of working through progressions.
Arm strength limitations become apparent on intermediate routes over the middle where passes arrive late and allow defenders to close.
Progressive read development remains limited - often locks onto primary target before exploring secondary options across the field.

Pick #252 - Keyron Crawford EDGE Auburn
Not available
 
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