Yuri’s ‘Red Star’ Ravens for the 2026 draft

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 22: Oklahoma Sooner defensive lineman Gracen Halton (56) celebrates a tackle during the college football game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Missouri Tigers on November 22, 2025 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, OK. (Photo by Chad Hamilton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

There is a long-held draft tradition in Baltimore of scouts giving out ‘red stars’ to their favorite prospects who fit the ‘play like a Ravens’ ethos.

That list tends to be a little more weighted towards off-field character and leadership intangibles. But for Yuri’s red stars, he is more focused on each player’s on-field fit in Baltimore. Here is his list, in order of the players’ rank on Baltimore Beatdown’s big board.

Editor’s note: the format for each player will be as follows: Name (position, college, rank on Baltimore Beatdown’s big board/rank on Wide Left’s consensus big board). There are also a number of late risers in this list, so their consensus rank may actually be higher than Baltimore Beatdown’s.

Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri, 16/40)

Zion Young is one of the most violent and physical defenders in the 2026 draft class, consistently bringing a relentless edge to every snap. At 6-foot-6 with 33-inch arms, he uses his length effectively to control blockers, playing with power and intensity at the point of attack as a run defender while stacking and peeking to locate the ball. His motor runs hot throughout games, and he pairs that effort with a powerful bull rush that ranks among the best in the class, regularly walking tackles back into the pocket. Young also flashes an effective swipe move to disengage and finish as a pass rusher. His production backs up the tape, posting a 9.3% run stop rate and an impressive 25% pass rush win rate (via Pro Football Focus), highlighting both his disruptive ability against the run and his consistent pressure generation. In Baltimore, Young would complement the Ravens’ EDGE rotation. He is a three-down player that can line up at the 7 tech and set the edge or line up more inside on pass rush situations and overpower guards, allowing lesser run defenders like Mike green or Trey Hendrickson to focus on edge contain responsibility.

KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M, 19/25)

Concepcion is a true three-level separator who combines explosive lower-half torsion with balance to break tackles with the ball in his hands, as evidenced by 440 of his 919 yards in 2025 coming after the catch. He decelerates with precision, allowing him to transition seamlessly out of breaks and turn routine completions — especially slants – into explosive plays, including long touchdowns. His route running is both violent and patient, showing a refined understanding of timing and leverage, often recognizing when he has won early and using that advantage to manipulate and separate from opposing corners. Some see redundancy to Zay Flowers. To that I ask: what’s the only thing better than one Zay Flowers? Two Zay Flowers for Lamar Jackson to throw to. Concepcion also gives the Ravens long-term flexibility if they do not want to/cannot afford to give Flowers a multi-year extension. If new OC Declan Doyle wants to run an explosive offense, KCC would fit his vision.

Gracen Halton (DT, Oklahoma, 28/85)

Gracen Halton is an uber-athletic interior defensive lineman whose explosiveness consistently stresses offensive lines. With excellent get-off at the snap, he regularly wins early in the rep, using his quickness to split gaps and slip between blockers before plays can develop. He thrives on movement up front, executing stunts and twists effectively and using his speed to beat offensive tackles and guards around the edge of games. Against the run, Halton slashes aggressively through zone concepts, penetrating the backfield and disrupting plays before they fully materialize. Despite not having elite length, Halton compensates with powerful, active hands that generate consistent pop and knockback, allowing him to create leverage and reset the line of scrimmage. If Nnamdi Madubuike were to miss extended time this season still recovering from his injury, New HC Jesse minter could use Halton in a similar way on stunt/ twist concepts. Halton also would compliment Travis jones well, giving the ravens versatility on the defensive line

Dani Dennis-Sutton (EDGE, Penn State, 31/70)

Dani Dennis-Sutton is a prototype edge defender with elite athletic traits, highlighted by a 9.93 Relative Athletic Score at the NFL Combine that shows up clearly on tape. At 6’5”, 265 pounds with 33-inch arms, he combines size, explosiveness, and flexibility to threaten tackles in multiple ways, frequently dipping under lunging blockers before ripping through the edge. He pairs that move with a well-timed spin that complements his outside rush, giving him a developing but effective pass-rush toolkit. His 17.36% pass rush win rate places him in the same statistical range as elite former college edge rushers like Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa, and Aidan Hutchinson. Dennis-Sutton also brings alignment versatility, capable of sliding inside against guards and winning with superior athleticism. Against the run, he maintains strong gap integrity and uses his length to set a firm edge and anchor at the point of attack. While yes, the Ravens have historically loved Penn state edges under decosta, DDS is different from the ones prior. He brings a good blend of pass rush ability and run defense to the room. Leaving potential for him to fit in on nascar packages on third down.

Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State, 44/34)

San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson (6’0”, 193) is an athletic outside corner with excellent long speed and fluid hips that allow him to transition smoothly and change direction without losing momentum. His 4.4 speed helps him stay in phase downfield and recover if initially beaten over the top. Johnson recorded four interceptions in 2025, showcasing strong post-snap instincts and diagnostic ability. He is particularly effective in zone coverage, where he reads quarterback leverage well and breaks aggressively on the football, allowing just a 41.9% catch rate on 43 targets in 2025. Beyond coverage, Johnson is also active in run support, demonstrating a willingness to come downhill and contribute physically, finishing with 14 stops according to PFF. Johnson would provide the ravens high quality outside corner play that allows for the ravens to continue to rotate Hamilton/Humphrey in at nickel. He also would provide a turnover factor at corner that the team currently does not have

Editor’s note: Johnson has risen significantly in the last two weeks, boosting his consensus rank above our own.

Caleb Banks (DT, Florida, 52/37)

Caleb Banks is a 6’6”, 327-pound defensive lineman with 35-inch arms who offers notable versatility along the front, capable of aligning anywhere from 5-technique to 3-technique. He posted a 20% pass-rush win rate in 2024 and ran a 5.04 40 showing impressive movement ability for a player of his size. Banks possesses rare agility and can deconstruct blocks quickly using a swipe or arm-over, while his initial punch generates significant pop, often jolting offensive linemen backward before he follows with a powerful bull rush to collapse the pocket. Was DT1. Injuries aside, he would be a matchup nightmare for other offensive lines, who is the smallest and slow footed lineman the other team has? Put Banks on him. Banks can also play 4i/ 5 tech, which would give Tavius Robinson flexibility to play more on the edge.

Editor’s note: There was also a positive report about Banks’ foot on Wednesday, addressing some of the injury concerns that dropped him to No. 52 in our rankings. He would be DT1 with more confidence in his health.

Trey Zuhn (OL, Texas A&M, 68/115)

Over the past two seasons at Texas A&M, he’s allowed just 25 pressures across 872 pass-blocking snaps, underscoring his consistency and reliability in protection. He plays with outstanding core strength and is a “quick-set king,” using sharp punch timing and precise hand placement to consistently win early in reps. Technically sound with refined mechanics, he excels at engaging and latching onto defenders, maintaining control throughout the rep. His elite 9.96 Relative Athletic Score further shows up on tape, giving him the movement skills to execute across a variety of concepts while holding up against speed and power. While some question his ability to play center, his pass protection is some of the best in the class and has the easiest transition road among the Tackle to center converts. His Phone booth like playstyle would translate to a smaller area for him to be responsible for. In a pinch he can play left tackle for the Ravens and the line wouldn’t crumble.

De’Zhaun Stribling (WR, Mississippi, 77/95)

A physical X receiver who brings a true tone-setting presence as a run blocker, consistently acting as a road grader on the perimeter. He’s dynamic after the catch, generating 335 of his 612 receiving yards with the ball in his hands, showcasing strength, balance, and the ability to run through contact and finish at the catch point. Displays strong, reliable hands (10-inch) with just one drop in 2025, reinforcing his consistency in contested situations. A high-level athlete (9.54 RAS) with verified 4.36 speed, he has the vertical ability to take the top off a defense while offering a well-rounded skill set that impacts both the passing and run game. Ravens GM Eric Decosta has been on the record longing for a X WR, Stribling would be the perfect solution to that. He would pair well with Lamar Jackson play extension ability and replace some of Likely’s basketball like catches.

Malik Muhammad (CB, Texas, DL, 102/162):

An acrobatic playmaker who produced two interceptions and two pass breakups in 2025, flashing ball skills and body control at the catch point. He brings a strong athletic profile (9.5 RAS) with 4.42 speed and 32.38-inch arms, allowing him to cover ground and contest throws effectively. A hard-nosed defender against the run, he’s a secure open-field tackler who consistently limits yards after contact. He plays with a physical presence throughout routes, disrupting timing, and shows a high-level understanding of coverage concepts, particularly when to pass routes off to the third level of the defense. HC Jesse minter has put alot of emphasis on acquiring smart players and Malik would be one of them. Has versatility to line up either in the slot or outside corner and would be a good pairing to bring physicality back to the ravens defense.

Tanner Koziol (TE, Houston, 121/150)

Koziol is a towering 6’6” tight end with a 9.72 RAS and 33.7-inch arms, possessing an elite wingspan that consistently shows up at the catch point, particularly in the red zone where he turned 15 targets into 14 touchdowns over the past two seasons. A dominant contested-catch specialist who led all tight ends with 20 contested grabs, he combines size, body control, and strong hands to win through contact. His reliability is equally impressive, hauling in 74 of 94 targets in 2025 with just two drops, making him a high-volume, high-efficiency receiving threat and a quarterback’s go-to option in critical situations. With Likely gone, Koziol would replace that skillset of making plays at the catch point and Similar to Kolar he has the frame to add mass and develop as an inline Y tight end.

V.J. Payne (S, Kansas State, 135/129)

V.J. Payne is a versatile, high-upside defensive back who wore multiple hats at Kansas State, showcasing the mental bandwidth to handle a variety of roles and responsibilities. He thrives as a box safety, where his 6’3”, 200-pound frame and 33.75-inch arms allow him to take on offensive linemen, fill against the run, and consistently win leverage battles. Despite his physicality near the line of scrimmage, his 4.4 speed provides intriguing range and developmental upside as an over-the-top safety, giving him the tools to evolve into a more complete, scheme-versatile defender at the next level. Every Coordinator and position coach deserves their player to mold, Payne could fill in early on at dine backer and give the ravens flexibility to get another defensive back on the field without forsaking run defense.