Baltimore Beatdown
The 2025 Ravens rookie class has been one of the most utilized groups of rookies in recent years for Baltimore. Multiple guys are contributing every week, playing meaningful snaps and having impact plays. It’s time to review their recent trip to Minnesota.
Starks followed up his breakout game in Miami with another excellent performance in Minneapolis and has arguably been the best safety in the NFL the last two weeks. On Sunday, he showed off the ball skills that made him the top safety in his draft class with another acrobatic interception, this time over Vikings All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson. The first-round pick has finally flashed some game-changing playmaking after steady-but-unspectacular play to start the season. Let’s hope he keeps trending up.
Green continues to look more and more comfortable rushing the passer in the NFL. He just missed out on his third straight game with a sack, but had his most productive day in terms of pressures. Green was credited with four pressures by PFF, including three quarterback hits against McCarthy. He was a major influence on what should have been the game-sealing interception by Roquan Smith before it was strangely taken away with little fanfare. Beating Christian Darrisaw in a clutch moment to seal the game is a big moment for a rookie, and it shouldn’t go understated. With Green developing and Dre’Mont Jones in the fold, the Ravens’ pass rush will hopefully continue to get better.
As expected, Buchanan’s role has decreased with Roquan Smith back on the field. The rookie linebacker’s snap count has dropped each week since Smith’s return; this week, he played only 58% of the Ravens’ defensive snaps, his lowest share since Week 1. In a more streamlined role next to Smith – and with Kyle Hamilton in the box – Buchanan has been playing his best ball this season, This is exactly what you’d expect from a rookie: thriving in a smaller, more focused role that allows him to play more freely and let the game come to him. Buchanan finished second on the team in tackles in Minnesota despite a more limited role and earned a 77.7 PFF grade for his efforts.
Vinson earned the gameday activation despite the entire offensive line being healthy, getting a spot over veteran swing tackle Joseph Noteboom. This, by itself, tells us how much Vinson has improved in practice and how confident the coaches are in him. They were ready for Vinson to protect Lamar Jackson’s blind side if Stanley were to leave mid-game, something that is always possible with his ankle situation. The Ravens drafted Vinson as a developmental tackle who has all the physical tools to be a franchise left tackle one day, and it’s great to see him making progress. In the meantime, Vinson got a jersey on gameday and played five special team snaps on the field goal blocking unit.
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