5 strengths Ravens defense can build on during 2026 season

It wasn't always the defensive standard that we have come to expect, but a change in the Baltimore Ravens' case doesn't mean they must start from square one. They enter the 2026 season with a defense that showed flashes of being among the AFC's better units despite battling injuries and at times inconsistent play. While Anthony Weaver and Jesse Minter will undoubtedly put their own stamp on the scheme, they're also inheriting a defense that quietly excelled in several areas.

The objective isn't to tear down what's already working. It's to reinforce the strengths, address the weaknesses, and help a talented roster become one of the NFL's elite defenses once again. The road will be rocky, but despite a disappointing season, Baltimore can certainly rise again, especially if the defense can build on what's already working.

The Ravens stiffened when the field got shorter.

Defenses earn their reputation inside the 20-yard line. Baltimore finished sixth in the NFL in red-zone defense during the 2025 season, allowing opponents to score touchdowns on just 50.8 percent of their trips inside the red zone.

Those stops often proved to be the difference between allowing seven points and forcing three, and maintaining that discipline should remain a priority under the new defensive staff.

The Ravens consistently got off the field on third down

Third down often determines whether drives continue or end. The Ravens performed well in those situations, ranking 11th in the league after allowing opponents to convert just 37.83 percent of their third-down opportunities.

There's certainly room to climb into the NFL's top 10, but Baltimore already has a solid foundation when it comes to finishing defensive possessions. That's a trend worth building upon rather than reinventing.

Trey Hendrickson still changes games.

Pass rushers don't always impact games through sack totals alone. Even during an injury-shortened 2025 campaign that limited him to four sacks, Trey Hendrickson continued drawing extra attention from opposing offenses. That respect wasn't built overnight.

Before last season, Hendrickson recorded at least 13.5 sacks in four of the previous five years, establishing himself as one of the league's premier edge rushers. If he returns to full health, Baltimore's pass rush could take a significant step forward without much schematic change.

The Ravens' run defense remained dependable.

The Ravens weren't perfect against the run. Allowing 4.2 yards per carry leaves room for improvement. Even so, Baltimore still finished 10th in the NFL in rushing defense, a testament to the unit's discipline and physicality up front. If the defensive line can become more disruptive at the point of attack, that respectable ranking has the potential to become an elite one.

Marlon Humphrey still played winning football.

The conversation surrounding Marlon Humphrey has changed as he's gotten older. He's no longer the young corner capable of erasing every receiver he faces, and there were moments when opposing offenses found success attacking him. Even so, Humphrey remained one of Baltimore's most productive defenders. He surrendered a combined passer rating of just 76.7 when targeted.

He allowed 13 pass breakups, four interceptions, and 68 tackles. Those numbers illustrate a veteran cornerback who continues to create turnovers, contest throws, and provide stability in the secondary. Baltimore doesn't need Humphrey to be the player he was five years ago.

It simply needs him to continue playing the smart, instinctive football that has made him one of the franchise's most respected defensive leaders. The Ravens already possess many of the ingredients needed to field one of the AFC's premier defenses.

They defend the red zone well, routinely get off the field on third down, feature a proven pass rusher in Trey Hendrickson, remain difficult to run against, and continue receiving quality play from Marlon Humphrey. If Anthony Weaver and Jesse Minter can elevate those areas while generating a more consistent pass rush and creating additional takeaways, Baltimore's defense won't need a complete makeover. It may simply need another step forward.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 5 strengths Ravens defense can build on during 2026 season