Ravens preseason stock report: young defenders dominate vs. Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 22: Joe Fagnano #12 of the Baltimore Ravens passes the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter of the preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesThe Baltimore Ravens won their second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 13-3. Here is an instant stock report from Baltimore Beatdown's staff coming out of the victory.
Stock upOLB Ethan BurkeBurke stuffed the stat sheet in Minnesota, finishing with two tackles, two passes defended, one sack, and one forced fumble. His work on coverage was particularly impressive - he surged to the ball to strip the ball with Jay Higgins on one play and later had a PBU that could have easily been a pick six. The undrafted rookie out of Texas is making a strong roster case through two preseason games. - Nikhil Mehta
QB Joe FagnanoFor the second week in a row, the undrafted rookie quarterback looked like he belonged on an NFL field. Fagnano's most impressive trait has been his ability to remain poised under pressure to deliver the pass on target. It seems unlikely that anything Fagnano could have done this preseason would have unseated Tyler Huntley as the backup quarterback, but he is making it difficult to keep him off the 53-man roster after back-to-back impressive showings. - Dustin Cox
OLB Mike GreenAfter a quiet outing against the Eagles, Green made his presence felt on the second drive against the Vikings with a sack followed by a pressure that resulted in a holding call on the next play. The 2025 second-round pick looks ready for a breakout sophomore campaign. - Kevin McNelis
DT Aeneas PeeblesPeebles showed some great burst on his first steps tracking down the ball-carrier. He was involved in several run-stuffing plays and was in the area for a drive-killing third down sack of Carson Wentz. He added a few more pressures in the pass rush and looks like a disruptive young piece for this Ravens defensive line. -Kevin McNelis
P Ryan EckleyAfter shanking his first NFL punt last week, Eckley been awesome. His second pinned the Eagles at the 10-yard line and he launched bombs downfield all afternoon in Minnesota. He totaled 332 yards on six punts (55.3 yards per punt), including a field-flipper that forced the Vikings to start at their own 4. - Zach Canter
TE Josh CuevasLast week it was rookie fourth-round tight end Matthew Hibner showing off his receiving chops against the Eagles, but this week was fellow rookie fifth-round tight end Josh Cuevas' chance to do so. Cuevas led the team with 46 receiving yards on three catches. The Ravens will need at least one of their two rookie tight ends to contribute on Sundays this season. - Dustin Cox
Stock DownG Vega IoaneIoane impressed in his NFL debut last week, but he struggled out of the gate in Minnesota. He missed a run block, committed a holding penalty, and allowed a pressure that Tyler Huntley narrowly kept from becoming a sack. Is it anything to worry about? Probably not, but it is a sign that Ioane's All-Pro ceiling is just that: a ceiling. He's still a rookie offensive lineman who will have to take his lumps in the NFL. - Nikhil Mehta
OLB Adisa IsaacIsaac was quiet for a second game in a row. It's great to see him healthy and on the field, but he still has to flash some NFL talent to make a competitive defensive roster. Ethan Burke looked more deserving of the fifth outside linebacker spot in Minnesota by a wide margin. Is Isaac's 2024 third-round draft status enough to keep him around? - Nikhil Mehta