The Baltimore Ravens had their first practice with pads on Monday, July 31, at the Under Armour Performance Center. The session was intense and physical, with both the defense and offense making some big plays. Here are the main things we noticed:

• The defensive line, especially Justin Madubuike, stood out. Madubuike got two consecutive sacks on Lamar Jackson during a drill. He also pressured Jackson with rookie David Ojabo in another play. The Ravens are hoping Madubuike can fill the gap left by Calais Campbell, who joined the Falcons in free agency.
• The linebackers had some impressive moments too. Patrick Queen delivered a big hit on running back Justice Hill and had a pass breakup and a tackle for loss. Rookie Trenton Simpson showed his skills with a strong hit on Melvin Gordon and a sack on Tyler Huntley. The Ravens want more consistency and productivity from their linebackers this season.
• The offense had its shining moments, especially in the red zone. Jackson connected with Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers for two touchdowns each. Other players like Nelson Agholor, Devin Duvernay, and Isaiah Likely also scored on short passes from Jackson and Huntley. The Ravens struggled in red-zone scoring last season, so they hope to improve in that area with the help of their new offensive coordinator, Todd Monken.
• Rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers had a standout day after a quiet start to camp. He won three of his one-on-one matchups with defensive backs, impressing with his speed and route-running ability. He is competing for a spot on the roster in a competitive receiver group.
• While Odell Beckham Jr. looked good in the red zone, he and Jackson are still working on their deep pass connections. Beckham had some tight coverage but couldn’t complete a difficult catch, and he also dropped a perfect pass from Jackson. He’s still adjusting to his new team and quarterback after being traded from the Browns in June.

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