Ravens Depth Chart Preview: Special Teams Units Have New Faces, Speed and Real Camp Battles

The Baltimore Ravens’ special teams units will look different in 2026, but the standard remains the same. Baltimore has long valued specialists, coverage players and returners, and new special teams coordinator Anthony Levine Sr. gives the unit a familiar Ravens voice. Levine spent 10 seasons with Baltimore as a player and became one of the best special teams players in franchise history before moving into coaching.

Projected Special Teams Depth Chart

Kicker: Tyler Loop
Punter: Ryan Eckley
Long snapper: Nick Moore
Holder: Ryan Eckley
Kick returners: Rasheen Ali, LaJohntay Wester, Justice Hill
Punt returner: LaJohntay Wester
Coverage leaders: Keondre Jackson, Trenton Simpson, Tavius Robinson, Teddye Buchanan, K’Von Wallace, Chandler Rivers, Ladarius Webb Jr., Jahquez Robinson, Dominic DeLuca

Kicker: Tyler Loop

Tyler Loop enters camp as the clear kicker. Loop made 30 of 34 field goals last season, good for 88.2 percent, and also made 44 of 46 extra points. Loop finished with 134 points and a long field goal of 52 yards.

Loop’s rookie season was mostly strong, but the ending still matters. The missed 44-yard field goal against Pittsburgh in Week 18 will follow him into the offseason, but Baltimore has not treated the miss like a reason to restart the position. Loop has the leg, accuracy and confidence to stay in the job.

The next step is becoming more than reliable. Loop has to be trusted in playoff-type moments, late-game kicks and weather games inside the AFC North. Baltimore’s offense should give him plenty of scoring chances, and Loop has the numbers to be a top-half NFL kicker if he keeps the job clean.

Punter: Ryan Eckley

Ryan Eckley is one of the most important rookies on the roster because the Ravens are asking him to take over a major field-position role right away. Baltimore drafted Eckley in the sixth round with pick No. 211 after his standout career at Michigan State.

Eckley led the FBS with a 48.5-yard punting average in 2025. He also finished his college career with a 47.6-yard average, the best mark in Big Ten history. Eckley had 23 punts of 50-plus yards last season and a long of 60 yards.

The leg talent is obvious. The question is control. Eckley can flip the field, but the Ravens will need hang time, directional punting and clean holding. Eckley held for all four years in college, which matters because the kicker-punter-long snapper operation has to be smooth from Week 1.

Long Snapper: Nick Moore

Nick Moore remains one of the most stable pieces on the roster. Moore has been Baltimore’s long snapper since 2021, outside of missing the 2023 season with a torn Achilles. The Ravens signed Moore to a four-year extension, showing how much the team values stability at the position.

Long snappers only get noticed when something goes wrong. Moore has built a career by staying invisible in the best way. With a young kicker and rookie punter, Moore’s consistency becomes even more important.

Moore’s job is not flashy, but it is one of the foundations of the entire special teams operation. Loop’s accuracy and Eckley’s holding rhythm both start with clean snaps.

Kick Returner: Rasheen Ali

Rasheen Ali should enter camp as one of the top kick return options. Ali led the Ravens in kickoff returns last season with 30 returns for 763 yards. Ali averaged 25.4 yards per return, giving Baltimore a legitimate field-position weapon.

Ali’s speed fits the new kickoff style. He hits the crease quickly and gives Baltimore a chance to start drives near midfield when the blocking is clean. Ali also helps his roster case by being able to contribute as a running back and special teams player.

The return job will not be handed to him, but Ali has the best returning résumé on the roster. If Ali protects the football, he should remain heavily involved.

Punt Returner/Kick Returner: LaJohntay Wester

LaJohntay Wester might be the most exciting return option on the roster. Wester returned 16 punts for 198 yards last season, averaging 12.4 yards per punt return. Wester also had 10 kickoff returns for 246 yards.

That punt return average jumps off the page. A 12-yard punt return can completely change a drive before Lamar Jackson even takes the field. Wester brings quickness, short-area burst and the type of open-field ability Baltimore needs.

Wester’s role will come down to trust. Punt returners must catch the ball cleanly, handle pressure and know when to fair catch. If Wester proves he can handle that part, he should be the favorite to win the punt return job.

Kick Returner: Justice Hill

Justice Hill gives the Ravens a veteran option in the return game. Hill returned seven kicks last season and averaged 26.9 yards per return.

Hill’s value comes from trust. The Ravens know what Hill is as a player. Hill can handle emergency return duties, protect the football and step into several offensive roles.

Baltimore may not want Hill taking every kickoff return because of his offensive value, but Hill is a strong insurance option. His experience could matter if the younger returners struggle with ball security.

Coverage Ace: Keondre Jackson

Keondre Jackson is one of the most important names in this special teams preview. The Ravens’ own post-draft depth chart analysis listed Jackson among the key special teams pieces after the draft.

Jackson’s path to the roster is through coverage. Baltimore needs players who can run, tackle and handle the dirty work on kickoffs and punts. Jackson fits that mold.

Special teams could be the difference between Jackson making the 53-man roster or getting caught in a numbers game. If Jackson becomes one of Levine’s trusted coverage players, he has a real chance to stick.

Linebacker: Trenton Simpson

Trenton Simpson brings athleticism to the coverage units. Simpson’s speed and physical tools make him a natural fit on kick coverage, punt coverage and protection units.

Simpson’s defensive role may continue to grow, but linebackers often remain major special teams contributors even when they play real defensive snaps. Baltimore needs Simpson’s range and tackling ability in space.

The Ravens have enough young linebackers that special teams snaps will matter. Simpson’s ability to help there gives him added value.

Edge/Linebacker: Tavius Robinson

Tavius Robinson gives Baltimore size and power on special teams. Robinson can help on field goal block, punt protection and coverage units because of his frame and effort.

Robinson is not just a defensive depth piece. Players with his size can create problems on blocking units and can help squeeze return lanes.

The Ravens need front-seven players who can dress on game day without being one-role backups. Robinson’s special teams ability helps him stay active.

Linebacker: Teddye Buchanan

Teddye Buchanan is another linebacker to watch. Buchanan was discussed by the Ravens as a player with starting potential next to Roquan Smith, but special teams may still be part of his early NFL role.

Buchanan brings tackling production and range. Those traits translate directly to kickoff and punt coverage. If Buchanan earns a defensive role, the Ravens may limit his special teams workload, but early in camp he should be part of the mix.

Baltimore has used linebackers heavily on special teams for years. Buchanan has the profile to contribute there while also pushing for defensive snaps.

Safety: K’Von Wallace

K’Von Wallace gives the Ravens a veteran defensive back who can help on coverage units. Safeties are valuable on special teams because they can run, tackle and handle open-field assignments.

Wallace’s path depends on defensive depth and how many defensive backs Baltimore keeps. Special teams could make the difference. A veteran backup safety who can play coverage snaps is useful on game day.

Levine will likely want dependable players on the back end of his units. Wallace fits that category.

Defensive Back: Chandler Rivers

Chandler Rivers is one of the rookies who can make noise on special teams. Baltimore signed a large undrafted rookie class after the draft, and players like Rivers need special teams reps to push for roster spots.

Rivers’ camp will be about speed, tackling and consistency. Undrafted defensive backs rarely make teams by only playing defense. They make teams by covering kicks, blocking on returns and avoiding mistakes.

Rivers has a clear opportunity. Baltimore always leaves room for young defensive backs who can help in the kicking game.

Cornerback: Ladarius Webb Jr.

Ladarius Webb Jr. carries a familiar Ravens name. Baltimore signed Webb as an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest, bringing the son of former Ravens defensive back Lardarius Webb into the organization.

Webb’s college production gives him a real special teams profile. Defensive backs fighting for roster spots have to win gunner reps, contain lanes and tackle in space.

The family connection is a great story, but Webb has to earn the job. Special teams are the clearest path. If Webb shines as a gunner, Baltimore could have a difficult decision to make at cutdown time.

Safety: Jahquez Robinson

Jahquez Robinson is another undrafted defensive back with a special teams path. The NFL listed Robinson among Baltimore’s undrafted free-agent additions after the 2026 NFL Draft.

Robinson has to show he can handle coverage snaps and return-unit blocking. Safeties and big corners often become valuable special teams players because they combine size with movement skills.

Robinson’s defensive reps may be limited early, but special teams can speed up his development. The more roles he handles, the better his roster odds become.

Linebacker: Dominic DeLuca

Dominic DeLuca is a classic special teams watch-list player. DeLuca joined Baltimore as an undrafted rookie free agent, and linebackers in that spot usually have to win through coverage units first.

DeLuca’s job is simple. He has to run, hit and prove he can be trusted. If he does that, the Ravens can justify keeping him as a depth linebacker and core special teams piece.

Baltimore has always valued linebackers who can do the unglamorous work. DeLuca fits that roster battle.

The Biggest Camp Battles

The biggest battle is at returner. Ali has the kickoff production, Wester has the punt return juice, and Hill has the veteran trust. Baltimore could split the roles, with Ali handling most kickoffs and Wester handling punts.

The second battle is at the bottom of the defensive back room. Webb, Rivers and Robinson all need special teams to help their cases. The Ravens will not keep every young defensive back, so coverage reps will be huge.

The third battle is hidden but important: Eckley’s holding job. Eckley has experience holding from college, but NFL timing is different. Loop, Moore and Eckley need to build trust quickly.

Final Outlook

The Ravens’ special teams unit has upside, but it is not a finished product. Loop has strong rookie numbers, Eckley has one of the biggest legs in the rookie class, Moore is a steady veteran, and the return game has multiple options.

The concern is experience. Baltimore is relying on a second-year kicker, rookie punter and several young coverage players. That can work, but training camp and preseason games will matter.

Final Grade: B

Baltimore’s special teams group earns a B entering camp. Loop’s accuracy, Eckley’s leg, Moore’s consistency and Wester’s return ability give the Ravens real upside. The grade can climb if Eckley adjusts quickly and one of the young coverage players becomes a true special teams weapon.