If you want to make a big impression on the Baltimore Ravens, now is the time.
There’s a new coaching staff in place for the 1st time in almost 2 decades, and, for that reason, the time to win a job is right here and right now.
That’s the situation slot cornerback and 2025 6th-round pick Robert Longerbeam finds himself stepping into, and he’s already making a “strong impression” in OTAs, according to Ravens insider Cassie Cherigo.
First-year head coach Jesse Minter was a defensive assistant and defensive backs coach for the Ravens from 2017 to 2020 and spent the last 2 seasons as the Los Angeles Chargers‘ defensive coordinator.
“With some of the veteran cornerbacks out, the younger players in the secondary got more reps,” Cherigo said. “Robert Longerbeam, who was sidelined for his rookie year with a knee injury, took full advantage, nabbing an interception and a pass breakup. Longerbeam will look to carve out a role in the talented group over the summer.”
Blazing 40-Yard Dash Time Solidified Draft Stock
Longerbeam, 5-foot-11 and 174 pounds, was a 3-year starter at Rutgers and a 2-time All-Big Ten selection, including leading the team with 11 pass deflections and 2 interceptions as a senior in 2024.
He solidified his draft stock by running the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the NFL scouting combine, with the Ravens swooping him up at No. 212 overall.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein correctly predicted Longerbeam would be selected in the 6th round in his pre-draft evaluation.
“Slender cornerback who is ‘wired right’ but lacks the size NFL teams typically require,” Zierlein wrote. “Longerbeam played outside at Rutgers, but the size disadvantage likely means he’ll be moving inside as a pro. He has the feet to match route breaks and good burst to close from zone. He gives some ground deep and struggles to win above the rim, though. He’s a willing run supporter but the frame will only allow so much. His on-ball production and competitiveness are appealing, but teams will need to balance those elements against his size when determining his draft value.”
Ravens Have Stacked Secondary in 2026
If they’re all healthy, the Ravens could have the NFL’s best secondary in 2026.
That means Longerbeam starting his long, slow ascent up the depth chart in May could be the key to him making the 53-man roster, where he’s currently buried on the depth chart at slot cornerback behind starter Marlon Humphrey, rookie Chandler Rivers, and Keyon Martin.
In 3 of the last 5 years, the Ravens have used their 1st round pick on a defensive back, starting with 3-time NFL All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton in 2022 (No. 14 overall), cornerback Nate Wiggins in 2024 (No. 30 overall), and safety Malaki Starks in 2025 (No. 27 overall).
Hamilton is the crown jewel of the bunch, and a player who looks like he could be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame when his career is over.
Signed to a record-setting 4-year, $100.4 million contract extension in August 2025, Hamilton has made 3 consecutive Pro Bowls and been named to 3 consecutive NFL All-Pro Teams through his 1st 4 seasons.
“After Jesse Minter previously used Kyle Hamilton tape to make Derwin James a better player, it’ll be interesting to see how he is deployed in his new-look defense,” Ravens reporter Nic Mason wrote on his official X account.
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