Devontez Walker Shines While Backups Step Up Big, Capping Off Competitive and High-Energy First Week of Ravens Training Camp Practices
The first week of Baltimore Ravens training camp wrapped up with intensity, urgency, and a flurry of standout performances that suggest the depth of this roster may be one of the team’s greatest assets in 2025. While all eyes initially focused on the starters and returning veterans, it was wide receiver Devontez Walker and a host of backup players who stole the spotlight as Week 1 came to a close in Owings Mills.
Walker, a second-year receiver out of North Carolina, was among the most talked-about performers on Friday, turning in his most complete practice of camp so far. From acrobatic catches to crisp route running, Walker flashed the kind of playmaking ability that could make him an integral part of the Ravens’ offensive attack this fall.
His biggest moment came during full-team drills when he burned a starting cornerback on a deep post route and hauled in a perfectly placed ball from backup quarterback Josh Johnson. The reception drew a roar from teammates and a nod of approval from head coach John Harbaugh, who praised Walker’s growing confidence and execution.
“That’s what we want to see from Tez,” Harbaugh said following practice. “He’s got all the tools—size, speed, hands. Now he’s starting to stack days together, and that’s when you know a player is ready to take the next step.”
Walker’s ascension comes at a crucial time for Baltimore’s receiving corps. While Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman remain entrenched as starters, injuries and inconsistency at the position over the last two seasons have forced the team to re-evaluate its depth options. Walker, with his combination of vertical speed and physicality, is making a strong case for a rotational role—if not more.
But Walker wasn’t the only player making noise.
The team’s first week of camp has seen backups and longshots rise to the occasion, with Friday’s practice offering a concentrated dose of that competitive spirit. Rookie tight end Riley Smith, an undrafted free agent out of South Alabama, has quietly pieced together a strong camp and capped Week 1 with several difficult catches in traffic, including a red zone grab between two defenders during 7-on-7 work.
“Riley just keeps showing up,” said tight ends coach George Godsey. “He does the little things right—blocking assignments, clean releases, route discipline—and that’s going to give him a shot.”
Third-year linebacker Josh Ross, previously a special teams contributor, also turned heads by breaking up two passes during live reps and nearly securing an interception on a deflected throw. With Patrick Queen now in Pittsburgh and Trenton Simpson adjusting to a starting role, the battle for linebacker depth is wide open, and Ross seems to be capitalizing on every snap.
On the defensive line, undrafted rookie tackle Trevon Craig from Illinois made a statement during goal-line drills, plugging two consecutive run plays and drawing praise from defensive coordinator Zach Orr.
“He’s tough,” Orr said. “He’s not blinking out there. He’s strong at the point of attack and he’s got some real motor to him.”
Of course, the main story of any camp is the quarterback position, and Lamar Jackson continues to look every bit the part of a reigning MVP. His chemistry with Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews is as polished as ever, but what’s perhaps more exciting for the Ravens is the apparent growth in Jackson’s pocket presence and decision-making. He’s been more decisive, quicker with his progressions, and more willing to take what the defense gives him—something quarterbacks coach Tee Martin has emphasized this offseason.
But what’s truly fueling optimism through Week 1 is the sheer competitiveness of camp. Every session has had a lively energy, driven in part by the coaching staff’s emphasis on situational football and high-rep, fast-tempo drills. Even the backups and third-stringers are getting meaningful opportunities, and several have made the most of them.
Cornerback Damarion Williams, back from injury after missing most of 2024, has looked sharp in slot coverage and seems fully recovered. Safety Jaquan Amos, another undrafted addition, laid a big hit during team drills that drew cheers from the defensive sideline.
The offensive line rotation has also revealed some depth developments. Rookie tackle Tyler Guyton has started taking second-team reps at left tackle and has handled the speed of the NFL well so far. Veteran Daniel Faalele is pushing for more meaningful reps at right tackle, and offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris has been rotating players heavily to test combinations early.
“Guys are competing,” Harbaugh said. “You can feel it in the way they approach each drill. Nothing is being handed out. That’s what makes a great camp.”
Special teams coordinator Chris Horton also took a moment to highlight some standouts on Friday, particularly second-year return man Keaton Mitchell, who continues to dazzle with his speed in open space. Rookie kicker Will Reichard has shown consistency through one week, hitting several long field goals and demonstrating solid hang time on kickoffs.
Mitchell, who is also expected to take on a bigger offensive role in 2025, made one of the most memorable plays of the day—a 60-yard touchdown catch and run off a quick slant where he split two defenders and outran the entire secondary. The play exemplified Baltimore’s potential explosiveness this season and brought the practice field to life.
But Harbaugh isn’t letting the team get too far ahead of itself. The coaching staff continues to preach consistency and accountability, especially for the younger players flashing early. The message has been clear: making a highlight play is great, but earning trust through repetition is what gets you a roster spot.
“You can’t just flash,” said Harbaugh. “You’ve got to be reliable. Coaches and quarterbacks need to know where you’re going to be, that you’re going to block when asked, that you’re going to play special teams if needed. It’s about being a professional, not just a playmaker.”
That’s a message Devontez Walker seems to be absorbing. While his athleticism has never been in doubt, it’s his effort in blocking drills, attention to detail in film sessions, and work on special teams that are catching coaches’ eyes as much as the highlight-reel plays.
“Tez is putting in the work,” said wide receivers coach Greg Lewis. “He’s coachable, focused, and motivated. He’s hungry, and that’s what you want to see.”
With padded practices set to begin in Week 2, the tone will shift. The contact will increase, and the physical demands will escalate. This is where the real evaluations begin, particularly in the trenches. But if Week 1 was any indication, the Ravens are building a roster that’s not just top-heavy, but battle-tested from top to bottom.
The growing competition has also brought a certain edge to the practices. Several skirmishes have broken out between offensive and defensive units—nothing major, but enough to indicate that pride and intensity are already high. Coaches haven’t discouraged it, instead framing it as evidence that the team is locked in.
“That fire, that urgency—you love to see it,” said Harbaugh. “We’re going to need it come September.”
The Ravens close Week 1 with momentum, a healthy roster, and perhaps most importantly, a number of young players stepping into the spotlight. Devontez Walker has emerged as one of the most promising stories of camp so far, but he’s joined by a growing list of backups and longshots who are pushing the veterans and demanding attention. It’s still early, but the signs are encouraging for a Baltimore team looking to take the next step.
The message from the coaching staff heading into Week 2 is clear: the door is open, but only for those willing to kick it in.
“You’ve got to earn everything,” Harbaugh reminded players in his closing huddle. “Nothing here is given. If you want it—go take it.”
So far, a lot of Ravens are doing just that.
