The Baltimore Ravens, like much of the NFL, are set to take another step closer to the 2025 season this week with the arrival of Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Baltimore will enter into a new phase of their offseason program and seek to apply some of the install and techniques of the past several weeks to a more formalized setting. 

Expectations are aplenty with the Ravens, but there's also no shortage of storylines looming as the calendar teeters on June. Where are the key position battles? What injuries have already changed the outlook of the team? Who may be "next" to get a new deal?

Here is everything you need to know as the Ravens start OTAs this week.

Will Ar'Darius Washington injury push Ravens into free agency market at safety?

One of the Ravens' upstart defenders in 2024 has seen his season ended before it ever began. Washington was a key part of Baltimore's pass defense evolution in 2024, as he emerged to help stabilize the back end of the Ravens' secondary. He, along with Kyle Hamilton and 2025 rookie Malaki Starks, were supposed to give Baltimore a return to their potent three safety personnel packages that the team enjoyed in 2023. 

But Washington, who signed a restricted free agent tender to avoid becoming a free agent this spring, tore his Achilles during a workout. It thrusts the third safety spot back under the microscope for Baltimore. Can Sanoussi Kane or Beau Brade step up in their second season? If not, Baltimore may have to look at free agency if they're intent on implementing "big nickel" at a high rate for 2025. 

Who fills the vacant snaps for Baltimore at left guard?

The Ravens will have no shortage of options for who will fill in the role Patrick Mekari claimed for most of 2024. Between Andrew Vorhees, Joseph Noteboom, rookies Emery Jones Jr. and Garrett Dellinger, and Ben Cleveland, Baltimore has no less than five potential contenders. 

Jones Jr. is recovering from a shoulder injury that will keep him off the field until closer to the start of training camp, which opens the door for his former college teammate in Dellinger or possibly Noteboom to garner interest and build some momentum for the spot. Neither boast the investment that Baltimore placed in Jones Jr., who the team clearly has big intentions on. 

Baltimore boasts an embarrassment of riches in the way of depth for this spot and the entire line. Most teams keep between eight to 10 offensive lineman on their 53-man roster at the start of the season — the Ravens will likely have to make at least one uncomfortable cut in the trenches, which makes the prospect of winning a starting job all that much more urgent. 

The race for the next contract extension is underway

Isaiah Likely feels like he's destined for another productive season as a game-breaker for Baltimore and he's entering the final year of his rookie contract. Tyler Linderbaum has established himself as one of the best centers in football and, after Baltimore declined his fifth-year option, he is also in a contract year. Kyle Hamilton is eligible for a new deal and should re-set the safety market. 

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Defensive tackle Travis Jones is in a contract year and will assume the lead role for the Ravens interior once again this season after Michael Pierce's retirement. Odafe Oweh is playing on his fifth-year option in 2025. The list goes on and on. There's tons of talent in Baltimore, which underscores the need to get to work on proactively locking some of this talent in long-term. That is, of course, before you even get to the prospect of potentially extending Lamar Jackson's contract again in the not-too-distant future. 

Who gets the first new deal? Will it happen this summer? 

Special teams upheaval 

The unsettling allegations against kicker Justin Tucker certainly helped Baltimore facilitate a change in their special teams group, no matter how much they insist on it being just a "football decision". Baltimore ensured a heir in place when they drafted kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth-round out of Arizona in this year's draft. 

But that isn't the only special teams change that looms for the Ravens. Baltimore also invested a late Day 3 draft choice on LaJohntay Wester out of Colorado and general manager Eric DeCosta was quick to voice his confidence in his outlook as a returner. 

"What stands out about him is really his returnability. If you watch him, we think he's a twitchy, explosive punt returner. … We think Wester has a chance to really come in here and be an impact punt return for us, so (we're) excited about him." – Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta 

Believing a player can do it is one thing, but there's no guarantees to a late round-draft choice at any stage. How well does he handle the opportunity? 

The Baltimore Ravens need to conduct some more business before ensuring Lamar Jackson, others could suit up for the 2028 Olympics as Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens need to conduct some more business before ensuring Lamar Jackson, others could suit up for the 2028 Olympics as Ravens