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Keyon Martin, Keondre Jackson continue their rise as Ravens preseason stars
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- Keyon Martin, Keondre Jackson continue their rise as Ravens preseason stars
Every preseason seems to produce a handful of players who force their way into roster conversations. For the Baltimore Ravens , Keyon Martin and Keondre Jackson are doing it for the second consecutive summer.
Both defensive backs arrived in 2025 with something to prove. Both were undrafted. Both have spent much of their young NFL careers making life difficult on opposing offenses. They aren't wasting any time in 2026 either. During Baltimore's preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles , both delivered more evidence that they deserve serious consideration as the Ravens finalize their roster.
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If Saturday proved anything, it's that neither player plans on quietly fading into the background. Martin earned attention last summer as an undrafted rookie by consistently finding the football. A year later, he appears determined to follow the same script.
Keyon Martin's relentless motor continues to show up
The second-year defensive back was one of Baltimore's most disruptive defenders against Philadelphia. In the third quarter, he registered a sack on a designed blitz before later splitting through the line to record a tackle for loss during the same series.
By night's end, he had compiled two tackles for loss and a sack while constantly creating problems around the line of scrimmage. The performance mirrored what coaches and observers have seen throughout training camp.
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Martin's game is built on effort, anticipation, and a willingness to attack every snap as though it might be his last. Those qualities helped him earn a roster spot as an undrafted rookie last season , and they remain among his strongest selling points entering 2026.
Keondre Jackson keeps making his presence felt.
For players battling for roster security, production matters. Martin continues to provide it. Jackson's path has required patience. After he went undrafted in 2025, he signed with Baltimore as a free agent and immediately impressed during the preseason.
Despite a strong summer, he became a casualty of roster numbers and was waived during final cuts before returning to the practice squad the following day. His persistence eventually paid off. He earned a promotion as he was signed to the active roster in November .
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He appeared in 12 games, recording 13 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery while gaining valuable NFL experience. That experience showed Saturday night. Jackson opened the game as one of Baltimore's starting safeties alongside veteran K'Von Wallace and spent much of his time around the football.
Jesse Minter mixed in several defensive-back blitz packages, giving Jackson opportunities to attack downhill. The young safety generated pressure on one play that nearly led to an interception and added a solo tackle, demonstrating the instincts and anticipation that have become trademarks of his game.
Perhaps most importantly, he looked comfortable. That's no surprise. Jackson consistently closes on passing lanes, diagnoses plays quickly, and plays with the confidence of someone who understands both the scheme and his role within it.
Two familiar names are forcing the conversation again
The Ravens have built one of the NFL's deepest rosters by finding contributors in unexpected places. Martin and Jackson represent the latest examples of that philosophy.
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Neither entered the league with significant fanfare. Neither was guaranteed anything. Yet both continue to capitalize on every opportunity they receive. Training camp success is valuable. Preseason production is valuable. Sustaining both over multiple summers becomes difficult to ignore.
There is still plenty of football left before Baltimore trims its roster, and neither player can afford to become comfortable. However, if the preseason opener is any indication, Martin and Jackson have no intention of easing off the accelerator. For another August, two of the Ravens' most intriguing defensive stories are once again hearing their names mentioned while flying around the field and making roster decisions more difficult for the coaching staff.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Keyon Martin, Keondre Jackson continue their rise as Ravens preseason stars
