EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Applause broke out from the row of veteran offensive linemen sitting in their lockers as a reporter approached rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker. Then came the gentle instructions: “You got to stand up and step out for them to interview you.”

Fourteen games in, postgame protocol is unfamiliar territory for Walker, who usually flies under the radar as he cleans up, changes and exits after playing on the Ravens’ special teams. But Sunday, in the Ravens’ 35-14 win over the New York Giants, Walker was a star.

“Toe-Tap Tez” they yelled through the locker room, referencing Walker’s first career catch. It was a third-quarter touchdown on which he beat his defenders as he ran through the end zone, barely getting both feet in before his momentum carried him out of bounds and almost into the stands, where his teammates caught up to him to celebrate.

“He got a big headbutt from me,” tight end Mark Andrews said.

Following his teammates’ instructions, Walker stood away from his locker, tucked into the far corner of the locker room. He smiled and quietly answered questions as he tried not to “fan boy” over the moment, his first touchdown catch from Lamar Jackson — a distinction in a game in which backup quarterback Josh Johnson eventually took over.

“It’s crazy,” Walker said. “Lamar’s someone I grew up in middle school, high school watching. So being able to catch a touchdown from him is a real good feeling.”

The Ravens started installing the play Monday, Walker said. Walker, who had been active for only five games this season and had played just four offensive snaps coming into Sunday, said he and Jackson practiced it all week, trying to get their chemistry down. Jackson told him that, should they both be in the game together and the play make sense, he was going to go for it.

That was the only offensive play drawn up for Walker. He studied it closely all week, and he had a good feeling about it when his name was called to step onto the field.

It was the rookie’s only target — but what a way to kick off an NFL career. Jackson said he’s earned his nickname — “he’s Tez Toe-Tap from now on.” He’s also earned confidence.

“It tells myself that I belong here, which I already knew, and it tells the guys that I can be a trusted piece and an extra asset for Lamar out there,” Walker said.

Walker’s was the flashiest performance of all the rookies, but the Ravens’ dominance of the Giants set up lots of opportunities for the 2024 draft class.

Through this season, first-round pick cornerback Nate Wiggins and second-round pick right tackle Roger Rosengarten have played the most significant roles, working their way into the starting lineup. They’ve had their drawbacks — Wiggins has struggled with penalties, and Rosengarten has blown a few blocks that led to sacks — but Sunday they both played solid games.

Wiggins finished with four tackles and a pass defense. That ties his performance against the Washington Commanders for the second-most tackles of his career.

He said he felt good about his game but believes he can improve, which is to be expected of a rookie. With three games left, his main focus is catching the ball when it comes to him. He’s done a good job of establishing his speed and physicality, but he hasn’t capitalized when given opportunities to make interceptions.

“I feel like I came a long way [this season], but I ain’t reached my peak yet,” Wiggins said.

Rosengarten had a similar evaluation of his performance: solid but with things to clean up. According to Pro Football Focus, he didn’t allow any pressures against the Giants. And, according to Next Gen Stats, the Ravens accumulated 85 yards on 19 carries when they ran to Rosengarten’s side.

Both Rosengarten and Wiggins were excited to see more players from their rookie class get to contribute.

“It feels good just knowing everybody in my class can produce and play when they hear their name,” Wiggins said.

Out of all the rookie contributors, running back Rasheen Ali might have made the biggest jump. He had zero offensive snaps coming into Sunday and had been active for just two games due to multiple injuries.

Because the Ravens were playing a struggling 2-11 Giants team, Ali knew there was a chance he would get in. And running back Keaton Mitchell, who was inactive this game, was keeping him hyped up.

“Keaton was telling me all day I was going to play,” Ali said as Mitchell grinned from the locker behind him. “So I kind of was already anticipating it.”

Although Ali didn’t have a flashy play like Walker’s, he got to see his first action on offense. In addition to his 22-yard kick return, Ali had eight carries for 32 yards. His first run went for a solid 6 yards, and he showed vision as he hit the right gaps.

The difference in game action versus practice reps wasn’t as large as one might expect — at least against the Giants.

“Honestly, our defense is so good, it kind of felt (laughs) not a little easier — but a little easier out there versus against them [our defense],” Ali said.

With contributions from four draftees, there were five who did not get the opportunity against the Giants. Third-round pick Adisa Isaac was inactive as he deals with his lingering hamstring injury, although he has seen action previously on defense and special teams. Walker’s fellow fourth-round pick, cornerback T.J. Tampa, remains on injured reserve.

Fifth-round quarterback Devin Leary is spending the season on the practice squad. And both seventh-round picks, center Nick Samac and safety Sanoussi Kane, were inactive. Kane has been a major contributor on special teams but has been dealing with injury.

Undrafted rookie safety Beau Brade has also been making an impact, playing on special teams every game since Week 8. He saw 16 special teams snaps Sunday.

After four weeks of tough, close games, coach John Harbaugh was happy to get so many rookies and reserve players game reps — something that’s not guaranteed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans up next.

“[It’s a] great opportunity,” Harbaugh said. “That’s a great point. I mean for Ali to get those carries and to get hit and to feel what it’s like, that’s massive. He did a great job. For the linemen to get in there and get those reps, I can’t wait to see those guys on tape and see how they did, and I think they did well. Same thing on defense. Obviously, you hope to be in a position to do that. You have to earn it, and our guys earned it.”