Baltimore Ravens football is officially back. After a 24-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts, lets check in on the 2025 draft class.
Baltimore Ravens football is officially back. After a 24-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts, lets check in on the 2025 draft class.
Overall, it was a quiet day for the first-round rookie, and that works just fine. Starks didn’t make it out of the first quarter before being subbed out, the shortest day for all the rookies. The penciled-in starter made his first tackle as a Raven, stonewalling opposing first-round pick Tyler Warren in the open to keep it to a third and medium. He also made a block that helped on the punt return touchdown.
It wasn’t a loud day for Mike Green, who finished with just two total tackles. But those who paid attention noticed. Green had at least three clear wins in pass rushing. His first snap on third down in the first series got to the quarterback and helped force an incompletion. Later, he helped on Adisa Isaac’s sack, beating his tackle cleanly and getting to the quarterback first, forcing him to step up before his legs were taken out, leading to Isaac finishing the play. Then, later in the game, he had an explosive spin move that one but the ball was out on a quick pass. Either way, the rookie lived up to the pass rush hype in his first game action. This guy could change the pass rush in the postseason, and I can’t wait.
A quiet night for Buchanan, who finished with just one tackle. It was a strong run stop, but overall, Buchanan’s performance wasn’t one to write home about. Nothing went tremendously wrong, but it showed that Trenton Simpson firmly has his hand on the wheel for the starting spot next to Roquan Smith, and the early hype and curiosity if Buchanan could push for snaps early might have been rushed. The impressive part of the night for Buchanan was that he wore the green dot for the Ravens tonight, showing the trust and level of understanding he has for the playbook already. Inside linebacker is one of the hardest transitions from college to the NFL level, so it’s ok to take these encouraging signs from Buchanan while not expecting much in the meantime.
Offensive line play can be hard to judge in the moment without film to back it up. But the important thing is Vinson didn’t draw attention and flash for the wrong reasons. He also occasionally displayed the special athleticism that comes with his impressive size. Vinson isn’t expected to contribute anytime soon to this team and will likely be a game-day inactive all year, effectively redshirting. So in the meantime, these reps are good for development. Overall, an even keel day for the developmental tackle.
Kone was having a strong day and finished with a tackle, but disaster struck early and finished Kone’s day and season. Kone injured his knee on a strong coverage play where he forced an incompletion and left on the medical cart with an air cast on. Head coach John Harbaugh delivered the news post-game that Kone indeed had a tear in his knee and his season was finished. Unfortunately for the prototype corner, who was having a strong camp. Here’s to a full recovery and seeing him back next season.
Tyler Loop had all the advantage in the world; his only competition cut early due to roster needs. All he needed was a strong preseason opener to boost him further, and he did just that. Loop was perfect on all his extra points to start his career, quickly earning “LOOOOOOOP” cheers after just the first one. He missed from 46 yards, pushing the attempt wide left as most of his misses in camp have been. He quickly bounced back, nailing one from 52 yards, center cut that would have had leg to go from 65 yards. Harbaugh stated after the game that Loop stubbed his toe on the miss, an easily fixable issue that he’s not worried about, and was happy with Loop’s performance. I expect to hear long Loop chants for a long time in Baltimore.
By far the loudest performance tonight, the rumblings that the Ravens were trying to hide Wester in camp because of how good he is were not just smoke. Wester opened up with a 17-yard return that flashed his electricty, making multiple guys miss after seemingly being surrounded. He followed up that magic performance with his best trick of the night, making at least five Colts miss and going 87 yards to the house, practically winning the punt returner job in two plays. He then proceeded to be the only player to catch multiple passes tonight during an abysmal passing night for the backup quarterbacks, including snagging a 30-yard back shoulder go ball while falling backwards. It might be too early to say the Ravens found something here, but I think the Ravens found something here.
Aeneas Peebles quickly became a fan favorite after the draft for his energy and some social media antics. He followed up on the field with three tackles and an energetic third-down swat at the line to get the defense off the field. It’s unclear how much run Peebles will get this season as a pass rush specialist with a good group of pass rushers in front of him, but it is clear that he will make the most of the snaps he gets and fans should get to know him quickly.
On a day when none of the ’established’ inside linebackers flashed, Higgins made the most of his moments and was the best performer of the position. Three tackles, including a third-down stop, a pass swat on fourth down to force a turnover on downs, and an interception, Higgins showed why he was a priority UDFA and a favorite coming into training camp. I don’t know if there is a spot for him to steal between Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Teddye Buchanan, and Jake Hummel, but he’s at least creating a buzz about it.