Trenton Simpson enters his fourth NFL season poised for a breakout, and the Baltimore Ravens believe he is ready to take the next step. The 2023 third-round pick was drafted for his athleticism and potential, and now, with roster changes and a new defensive scheme, the conditions align for him to make a significant leap.
In his first NFL season, Simpson played limited snaps--just 85 in 2023. That number grew substantially in 2024, when he took the field for 312 defensive snaps, compiling 30 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. While his statistical production was modest, the trajectory was promising, signaling potential for Year 3 growth.
Year 3 is often a critical threshold for inside linebackers drafted in the middle rounds. Many show their true capacity at this point after adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL game. Simpson has now completed two offseasons of strength and conditioning and has accumulated meaningful experience learning the Ravens' defensive system and rotations.
Significantly, Baltimore's inside linebacker room has evolved this offseason. Roquan Smith remains the clear starting middle linebacker, but the departure of veteran Patrick Queen in free agency opened an opportunity opposite Smith. Simpson emerges now as the primary in-house candidate to fill that role, as the Ravens chose not to invest premium draft resources at linebacker in the 2026 draft, instead focusing early selections on offensive line and wide receivers.
This front office decision reflects a vote of confidence in Simpson's development. The absence of a recent high draft pick at his position indicates the Ravens' belief that he can step into a larger role without immediate internal competition from a rookie.
Simpson's advancement hinges on improving his coverage skills and assignment discipline. Pre-draft testing highlighted his impressive athleticism, including a sub-4.44-second 40-yard dash and a 39.5-inch vertical leap--traits that enable him to match running backs and tight ends downfield. However, processing speed has been the limiting factor, especially in zone coverage where his tendency to hesitate or bite on play-action can cost him valuable ground.
The arrival of head coach Jesse Minter and the installation of a new defensive scheme also create a fresh start for the entire unit. Minter, previously a coordinator in the NFL and at Michigan, employs a system that uses more sub-packages with extra defensive backs. This schematic approach could restrict the base linebacker's snap count but emphasizes versatility and coverage ability, skills Simpson possesses and continues to develop.
According to Minter's recent comments, the depth chart is still fluid early in the offseason. He noted on May 27, "Right now, there really isn't ... there's certain guys that [if] we put up a depth chart right now, like Lamar's our starting quarterback." On player mindset, Minter added, "Elite players know where they stand most of the time, but the elite players work as if they're not entrenched in the depth chart." Simpson has shown the work ethic to embody that attitude and could be poised to rise through competition.
If Simpson secures the starting inside linebacker role, he likely will play 55 to 65 percent of defensive snaps, factoring the sub-package frequency. That amount of playing time positions him for a productive season statistically -- envisioning 70-plus tackles, multiple sacks, and at least one interception is reasonable if his coverage progress pays off.
Currently, Simpson flies under the mainstream radar, with no specific betting props or Defensive Player of the Year odds highlighting his potential. This low external expectation means that even a solid starter-level campaign would represent a breakthrough for the 2026 season.
The Ravens' inside linebacker scenario embodies a quiet pressure: Simpson is in competition not only with his present teammates but also with future draft prospects. He is not contending against a new rookie this year, so the spotlight and responsibility now belong squarely to him.
For Baltimore, the hope is that Simpson's physical tools, combined with his growing experience and new scheme fit, will culminate in the kind of step forward that turns him into a reliable long-term complement to Roquan Smith. Success would represent a win at both the player development and roster construction levels.
The 2026 season will be a defining chapter in Trenton Simpson's career. Whether he can translate his raw athleticism into refined, decisive playmaking remains to be seen. But the Ravens and their fans now have good reason to believe that the breakout is within reach.