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Ravens' HC Jesse Minter praises Carson Vinson's offseason development
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- Ravens' HC Jesse Minter praises Carson Vinson's offseason development
The Baltimore Ravens entered organized team activities focused on evaluating young talent across the roster, and few players appear to be benefiting more from the additional practice reps than second-year offensive tackle Carson Vinson . With veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley absent from portions of voluntary offseason work, Vinson has received an extended opportunity to work with the first-team offense and face some of Baltimore's top pass rushers during practice.
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter believes the experience is already paying dividends.
"Carson's doing a really good job," Minter said. "Anytime you get reps, it's just a great opportunity to improve."
The Ravens selected Vinson in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Alabama A&M after one of the most decorated careers in the Football Championship Subdivision. Although he played only seven offensive snaps as a rookie, Baltimore viewed the former HBCU standout as a developmental prospect with significant long-term upside.
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One year later, the organization appears pleased with his progress.
Minter specifically pointed to the value of Vinson's daily work against newly acquired pass rusher Trey Hendrickson , one of the NFL's most productive edge defenders over the past several seasons.
"He gets an opportunity to line up across from Trey Hendrickson a lot," Minter said. "They just work really well together."
Rather than treating the matchup as a simple competition, Minter explained that both players have turned it into a developmental tool.
"They talk a lot after each play," Minter said. "I was talking to him in the weight room this morning about it. They help each other out. They talk about their pass sets, their run blocking and their hand placement. So, it's invaluable for him."
For a young offensive tackle still adjusting to NFL speed and technique, there may not be a better classroom than facing a four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher on a daily basis. The Ravens have long emphasized offensive line development, and Vinson fits the profile of a player the organization has successfully cultivated in the past.
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At Alabama A&M, Vinson started 48 games and earned First-Team All-SWAC honors while developing a reputation as one of the most physical offensive linemen in the FCS. His performance during the 2024 season earned him First-Team FCS All-American recognition, an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl, and a trip to the NFL Scouting Combine as the lone representative from an HBCU program.
Baltimore was attracted to both the production and the traits.
Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing more than 300 pounds, Vinson entered the NFL with the size, length, and temperament the Ravens traditionally value in offensive linemen. His aggressive style in the run game made him a particularly intriguing fit for an offense built around physicality and downhill rushing concepts.
Minter believes the next stage of that development is already underway.
"I think he's done a great job this offseason getting bigger and stronger," Minter said. "He's put in a lot of work, and I am very excited about him."
The timing could prove important for Baltimore.
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While Ronnie Stanley remains entrenched as the starting left tackle, quality offensive tackle depth remains one of the most valuable commodities in the NFL. Injuries routinely test offensive line depth across the league, and the Ravens have made a habit of developing young linemen before they are needed in larger roles. Vinson's immediate future may still be as a reserve.
His long-term outlook, however, appears increasingly promising. With additional offseason reps, daily work against elite competition, and a coaching staff openly praising his progress, Vinson has positioned himself as one of Baltimore's more intriguing developmental players entering training camp. For a franchise that consistently builds through the trenches, that development is exactly what the Ravens hoped to see entering Year 2.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Carson Vinson drawing attention during Ravens OTAs this spring
