Ryan Mink

The Ravens have strong attendance at the first week of voluntary organized team activities and it's not by chance.

Asked whether players communicated with each other about the importance of showing up for organized team activities this year, tight end Isaiah Likely said nothing needed to be said.

The shortfalls of the past couple of years, when the Ravens had arguably the best team in the NFL but didn't reach the Super Bowl, is motivation enough.

"I feel like everybody got the memo after the last game of the season," Likely said. "We want the ultimate goal, which is to win and hold that trophy."

Established veterans don't always show up, but quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, tight end Mark Andrews, wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, left tackle Ronnie Stanley, center Tyler Linderbaum, linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Kyle Hamilton, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and more of the team's returning stars were in attendance Wednesday.

A handful of them are hopeful for new contract extensions, but that didn't stop them from showing up and suiting up for practice.

"We all know what we're here for, and we have a mission that we're trying to accomplish," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "To see the guys out there working as hard as they are and as hard as they have been means a lot. I love the way these guys work."

Here are the other notes from Day 1 of Ravens OTAs:

• Jackson's first pass of the 2025 "season" was a completion over the middle to Mark Andrews. After a tough end to last season and speculation-filled offseason, nothing has changed with the Jackson-Andrews connection.

• Jackson had a very sharp practice, not missing a completion until the majority of the way through the session. He dropped a beautiful deep ball in a bucket to Dayton Wade behind double coverage from Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey. Even though it's just OTAs, Jackson still has a high standard for himself and the offense. He slapped the ground after throwing one pass too high and behind a receiver and did push-ups after missing a potential touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins.

• Hopkins made a very strong first impression, diving to catch one pass from Jackson and making multiple extended sideline catches with the toe drag of a veteran. Harbaugh noted that Jackson and Hopkins already look good out there together. "He's going to be a big-body, contested-catch receiver for us, certainly. He's moving great," Harbaugh said.

• Running back Keaton Mitchell essentially had a redshirt season last year after his major 2023 knee injury. His burst is back this offseason. He looks like the rookie that averaged 8.4 yards per carry.

• Safety Beau Brade made a point in his bid to be a potential fill-in for injured Ar'Darius Washington (Achilles), nearly making an interception in the back of the end zone.

• Don't rule out Ben Cleveland as a potential starter at left guard. While Andrew Vorhees has been considered the front-runner for the open job, it looks like Cleveland will get a chance this offseason. The offensive line did get shuffled a bit Wednesday with the absence of Daniel Faalele, who Harbaugh said is working through some physical issues.

• Linebacker Trenton Simpson and safety Malaki Starks combined to shut down a wide receiver screen quickly. Harbaugh said it's about "processing the game" for Simpson this year as he looks to reclaim his starting job.

• Undrafted linebacker Jay Higgins nearly had an interception as he got a hand on a pass that rookie sixth-round wide receiver LaJohntay Wester still caught. Wester also held onto a deep bomb after a juggle.

• Linebacker Roquan Smith made a very nice play breaking up a sideline pass intended for Justice Hill a solid 25+ yards down the field.

• Second-year wide receiver Tez Walker was a busy man, hauling in a handful of passes, including a tough touchdown catch in the back of the end zone.

• Rookie kicker Tyler Loop had the day off as he and undrafted rookie John Hoyland are rotating days in their competition.