Baltimore Beatdown
How will the Ravens’ incoming rookies fit into the roster for their first season?
Now a week removed from draft weekend, time has allowed us to further digest the Baltimore Ravens’ loaded rookie class. The Ravens drafted 11 prospects in total, giving themselves a stacked group of fresh young talent for the upcoming 2025 season.
The performances of each incoming rookie during the forthcoming summer activities will go a long way in determining their role for the year. So too will other factors like potential injuries, trades, or additional free agent signings.
However, while it’s still early on, we can make a projection as to what role each prospect will have for the Ravens in 2025 based on their skill set, position group, and potential.
The Ravens’ first-round draft pick should be primed to fill a big role on defense right away. Starks may not technically be listed as a starter early in the season, as that title may belong to incumbent Ar’Darius Washington alongside Kyle Hamilton. However, expect Starks to play significant snaps from the jump in multiple-safety sets — and look for his playing time to only increase as the season progresses.
While he has room for improvement and refinement like any rookie, Starks already possesses a polished all-around skill set. His combination of tackling in run defense, pass coverage abilities, and intangibles figure to translate at the professional level from day one.
Role: Starting Free Safety
Marshall’s Mike Green, whom the Ravens drafted with the No. 59 overall pick, was an excellent value pick. If not for off-the-field concerns, Green was very likely to be a first-round draft selection. Green led all FBS players in sacks last season (17) while also adding 84 total tackles, three forced fumbles, and two passes defended.
Green will play a factor in the Ravens’ edge rusher rotation right away behind Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy. Green will push the likes of Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac and David Ojabo for snaps early, with his role likely to expand throughout the season.
Role: Rotational Edge Rusher
While he played right tackle at LSU in college, many project Emory Jones will be better suited at offensive guard in the NFL. That’s likely where the Ravens intend to deploy him, although he’ll probably take snaps at both positions this summer. Jones could compete with Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees for a starting role at one of the guard spots but the chances he’d win the job aren’t great, given his development needed.
However, with positional versatility, Jones can replace Patrick Mekari as the team’s swing tackle right away and plug in as needed in extra offensive lineman sets and as a spot-starter in case of injury.
Role: Swing Tackle, Backup Offensive Lineman
The Ravens drafted Buchanan in the fourth round out of California to address their need at inside linebacker - a position lacking depth after Malik Harrison...
