Ravens Middle Linebacker Depth Chart: Roquan Smith Still Leads, But Teddye Buchanan’s Health Could Shape the Entire Room

The Baltimore Ravens have always valued the middle of their defense. That standard has not changed.

Inside linebacker remains one of the most important positions on the Ravens’ roster heading into the 2026 season because Baltimore’s defense still runs through Roquan Smith. The Ravens’ current inside linebacker picture has Smith and Teddye Buchanan projected as starters, Trenton Simpson as the top backup, and Jay Higgins IV and Carl Jones competing for depth roles. The Ravens’ official post-draft depth chart listed Smith and Buchanan as the projected starters, Simpson as the backup, and Higgins and Jones as competitors.

The Ravens’ official regular-season depth chart has not been released yet, but the team’s post-draft projection gives a clear look at how Baltimore views the position. Buchanan’s recovery from a late-season knee injury is the biggest question. Smith remains the unquestioned leader. Simpson is still trying to carve out a consistent role. Higgins and Jones are fighting for roster spots and special teams work.

Projected Ravens Middle Linebacker Depth Chart

Starters: Roquan Smith, Teddye Buchanan
Top backup: Trenton Simpson
Roster competitors: Jay Higgins IV, Carl Jones
Camp depth: Dominic DeLuca, Reid Williford

Ourlads’ current Ravens roster lists the inside linebacker group as Smith, Buchanan, Simpson, Higgins, Jones, Dominic DeLuca and Reid Williford.

Roquan Smith — Starter, Defensive Leader

Smith remains the centerpiece of the Ravens’ linebacker room.

Baltimore acquired Smith because the franchise wanted a true defensive captain in the middle of the field. Smith has been exactly that. The veteran linebacker has built one of the strongest resumes of any active off-ball linebacker in football. Pro Football Reference lists Smith with 1,135 career tackles, 21.5 sacks, 10 interceptions and 38 passes defended through the 2025 season.

Smith finished the 2025 season with 130 total tackles, 76 solo tackles, three passes defended and a fumble return touchdown. That production matters because Smith still handles the most demanding job in Baltimore’s defense. Smith has to diagnose runs, communicate calls, cover backs and tight ends, clean up missed fits and make sure the front is aligned correctly.

The Ravens need Smith to remain steady because the rest of the room is young. Buchanan is entering his second season. Simpson is still developing. Higgins, Jones, DeLuca and Williford are depth pieces trying to earn trust. Smith is the stabilizer.

Smith’s best football still comes when Baltimore lets him play downhill. Smith reads blocking schemes quickly, closes lanes with power and finishes tackles in traffic. The veteran is not just a tackle collector. Smith changes the way opposing offenses attack the middle of the field.

There is still one concern. Baltimore cannot ask Smith to carry every snap without help. The Ravens need a true partner next to him. Patrick Queen once filled that role. Buchanan looked ready to become that player before his knee injury. If Buchanan is healthy, Smith’s job gets easier. If Buchanan is limited, the Ravens will need Simpson or Higgins to take a major step.

Teddye Buchanan — Projected Starter, Biggest X-Factor

Buchanan is the most important young linebacker in the room.

The Ravens drafted Buchanan in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The rookie quickly outplayed expectations and became a major part of Baltimore’s defense. Buchanan finished his rookie season with 93 tackles, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defended in 14 games. Reuters reported that Buchanan suffered a feared ACL tear in December 2025 after becoming one of Baltimore’s top defensive rookies.

Buchanan’s rise was not random. The former UC Davis and California linebacker had a productive college career. Buchanan recorded 208 tackles, four sacks and eight interceptions at UC Davis before transferring to Cal. In 2024, Buchanan posted 114 tackles and five sacks while earning first-team All-ACC honors.

That background explains why Buchanan fit Baltimore so quickly. Buchanan is not just a downhill run defender. The linebacker has coverage ability, range and instincts. UC Davis noted that Buchanan became the first Aggie drafted into the NFL since 2002.

Buchanan’s 2026 role depends on his knee. The Ravens’ post-draft projection still listed him as a starter, but Baltimore also noted he was trying to bounce back from the late-season injury. That makes training camp critical.

A healthy Buchanan gives the Ravens a modern linebacker pairing. Smith brings elite experience and physicality. Buchanan brings youth, speed and coverage range. That combination would allow Baltimore to disguise more looks, blitz from different angles and keep Smith cleaner.

If Buchanan is not ready early, the Ravens will have to adjust. Simpson could start next to Smith. Higgins could push for a bigger role. Jones could become more important on special teams. Buchanan’s health is the key variable.

Trenton Simpson — Top Backup With Something To Prove

Simpson remains one of the most fascinating players on the roster.

The Ravens drafted Simpson in the third round in 2023 because of his athletic upside. Simpson played at Clemson and entered the NFL with speed, range and blitz potential. Pro Football Reference lists Simpson at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, with 152 career tackles and five sacks through the 2025 season.

Simpson played all 17 games in 2025 and recorded 34 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks. Those numbers show growth, but Simpson still has not fully locked down a starting job. Baltimore’s post-draft depth chart listed Simpson behind Smith and Buchanan.

That does not mean Simpson is out of the picture. It means Simpson has to define his role.

Simpson’s athleticism is obvious. The linebacker can run, blitz and chase plays toward the sideline. Simpson’s challenge is consistency. Middle linebacker in Baltimore is not just about speed. The Ravens need clean eyes, fast communication and dependable fits against the run.

Simpson could still be valuable even if Buchanan starts. Baltimore can use Simpson in sub-packages, pressure looks and special teams. If Buchanan is limited, Simpson becomes the first man up next to Smith.

This is a big year for Simpson. The talent is there. The opportunity is there. The Ravens need the production to match.

Jay Higgins IV — Productive College Star Fighting For A Bigger NFL Role

Higgins is the kind of linebacker Baltimore usually likes.

The former Iowa standout was highly productive in college. Iowa lists Higgins with 341 career tackles, which ranks 14th in program history. Higgins also became the first Hawkeye since Jack Campbell to record back-to-back 100-tackle seasons.

That production is hard to ignore. Higgins had 171 tackles in 2023 and 124 tackles in 2024 at Iowa. He also finished his college career with 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, five interceptions and nine passes defended.

Higgins is not the flashiest athlete in the room, but his instincts and tackling profile make him interesting. Baltimore needs linebackers who can play special teams, handle emergency defensive snaps and understand the run game. Higgins checks those boxes.

ESPN lists Higgins at 6-foot and 230 pounds. His 2025 NFL stat line included three solo tackles, one forced fumble and limited defensive work.

Higgins’ path is clear. Special teams will decide his roster value first. Defensive trust will decide whether his role grows later. If Buchanan’s recovery takes longer than expected, Higgins could push for meaningful snaps.

Carl Jones — Depth Linebacker Battling For A Roster Spot

Jones is in the roster fight.

Ourlads lists Jones as a 6-foot, 230-pound inside linebacker from UCLA. Jones entered the NFL as a college free agent with Chicago in 2024 and is now with Baltimore.

Jones’ route to the roster likely runs through special teams. The Ravens have Smith, Buchanan and Simpson ahead of him. Higgins also has a strong college production profile. That means Jones must stand out in camp, tackle well in preseason games and show he can help on coverage units.

Baltimore has always valued linebackers who can do the dirty work. Jones does not need to become a starter to matter. The Ravens need depth players who can survive Sundays, play multiple special teams roles and step in if injuries hit.

Dominic DeLuca — Rookie Camp Depth

DeLuca gives the Ravens another young linebacker to evaluate.

Ourlads lists DeLuca as a rookie inside linebacker from Penn State. DeLuca is 6-foot-1 and 228 pounds.

DeLuca’s best path is development. Baltimore can use camp and preseason to determine whether he has practice squad value. Special teams will be the first test. The Ravens do not have many open defensive snaps at inside linebacker unless injuries change the room.

Reid Williford — Rookie Depth Piece

Williford is another rookie linebacker trying to make an impression.

Ourlads lists Williford as a 6-foot-2, 235-pound inside linebacker from Charlotte.

Williford has size, but roster math is difficult. Smith, Buchanan, Simpson, Higgins and Jones are ahead of him entering camp. Williford needs to flash on special teams and show enough defensive upside to earn a longer look.

Position Outlook

The Ravens’ inside linebacker room is strong at the top but uncertain behind Smith.

Smith gives Baltimore a star. Buchanan gives the Ravens upside if healthy. Simpson gives the defense an athletic backup with starting experience. Higgins brings college production and special teams value. Jones, DeLuca and Williford are fighting for depth roles.

The biggest storyline is Buchanan. If Buchanan returns near full strength, the Ravens have one of the better inside linebacker pairings in the AFC. If Buchanan is limited, Simpson becomes a major player in the defense again.

The Ravens did not draft an inside linebacker in 2026, which shows some confidence in the room. Baltimore’s own post-draft projection said nothing changed at inside linebacker because the Ravens did not add one in the draft. That puts pressure on the current group to deliver.

Final Depth Chart Prediction

1. Roquan Smith — Starter and defensive captain
Smith is locked in as the leader of the defense.

2. Teddye Buchanan — Starter if healthy
Buchanan’s rookie season showed real starting ability. His knee recovery is the key.

3. Trenton Simpson — Top backup and package linebacker
Simpson has the athletic profile to play more snaps, but consistency will decide his ceiling.

4. Jay Higgins IV — Special teams linebacker with defensive upside
Higgins’ college production gives him a real chance to stick.

5. Carl Jones — Roster bubble/special teams competitor
Jones has to win on special teams to make the 53-man roster.

6. Dominic DeLuca — Practice squad candidate
DeLuca is a developmental linebacker.

7. Reid Williford — Practice squad candidate
Williford needs a strong camp to stay in the organization.

Bottom Line

The Ravens are still built around elite linebacker play.

Smith remains the standard. Buchanan could become the next long-term answer next to him. Simpson still has a chance to change the conversation. Higgins is a sleeper to watch because Baltimore values tough, productive linebackers who can tackle and play special teams.

The room is not perfect, but it has enough talent. The Ravens need Buchanan healthy, Simpson sharper and the back end of the depth chart ready to contribute. If that happens, Baltimore’s middle linebacker group can again be one of the strengths of the defense.