The Ravens drafted a placekicker for the first time in franchise history, selecting Tyler Loop of Arizona in the sixth round (186th overall).
Loop has arguably the biggest leg in this year's class. He made a school-record 62-yard field goal in the 2024 season and converted 63 of 80 field goal attempts (83.8%) over his career. He was six for nine on field goals of at least 50 yards in 2024.
Loop said he was thrilled to have an opportunity to become Baltimore's next kicker. He met with Ravens Senior Special Teams Coach Randy Brown at the NFL Combine and had conversations with him before the draft.
Loop was so keyed in on Baltimore that he ordered a vintage Ravens T-shirt to have ready for the day they might call his name. He said once the Patriots drafted Miami kicker Andres Borregales with pick No. 182, he knew he'd be a Raven.
"Total elation getting the call," Loop said. "I saw that area code come across my phone, I was like, 'Let's go, 'we're going to Baltimore.'
"My dad mentioned, 'Hey, the Ravens have never drafted a kicker.' It's pretty special. To get drafted itself is pretty cool, especially an organization like the Ravens. You couldn't dream of anything cooler."
It remains to be seen whether Loop will be learning from Justin Tucker or replacing him.
The NFL is investigating allegations against the veteran kicker. Tucker has denied the allegations and the Ravens have said they are awaiting the result of the NFL's investigation.
"Right now, they're both on our roster. It's a situation for us where we're just trying to find the best football players," DeCosta said. "We're excited to see what he can do. I've actually never met Tyler, I'm looking forward to that. He'll be here next week, get a chance to see his leg. That will help us address whatever out decision making's going to be moving forward."
Harbaugh said Tucker was aware the Ravens might draft a kicker.
"He was in this week kicking and working out," Harbaugh said. "He already understood."
Harbaugh added that he was impressed watching Loop's tape.
"He's good. He's a talented guy," Harbaugh said. "He's strong, and he's very consistent with his leg swing. He's a kicking nerd, you like to see that. He's really into every detail and technique. He's studied Justin a lot, a lot of other guys too, and he's studied our operation. I know he's excited, too."
Loop was asked how much pressure he would feel trying to succeed Tucker, the most accurate kicker in NFL history.
"I think it's really exciting more than pressure," Loop said. "Just because it would give me something to shoot for. Getting to follow in the footsteps of a guy like that, who's been so elite, get to compete with him and maybe learn from him, that gets me fired up. I'm ready to get up there and start competing and finding ways to win games and make kicks."
Loop said his calling card is being a student of the craft and he does not believe kicking in cold AFC North climates would pose problems for him. The Ravens have a long track record of grooming kickers, and Loop will be the next.
