As the Ravens continue to suffer injuries, the snap count of their rookies is increasing. Three draft picks start on defense. Two others are starters for special teams. A free agent undrafted is expected to be the cornerback starting position for a couple of weeks. This defense is going to undergo some changes due to the many injuries and struggles that have plagued this team.
We’ll talk about their performance against the Chiefs. We’ll also review their season to date and look at their potential roles going forward.
Starks bounced back from his worst performance of the season against Detroit, despite a poor day for the defense. Starks was able to play 100% of snaps and receive a PFF grade of 69.3, including a grade of 77.6 for tackling and a grade 67.3 for coverage. Starks has been a constant presence in the secondary this season. This defense is not one to let up on deep plays. The Ravens mostly use Cover 2 and Cover 4, with a few Cover 1 or 3 snaps. This could change if the defense experiences massive shifts due to injuries and poor performance. Stark could be given more responsibilities and allowed to play more as a centerfielder with less assistance. This would improve the defense. As the witching hour nears, this team will leave no stone unturned.
It’s time for us to reset our expectations of Green. I was one of those who thought he could be the savior of this pass rush unit. He would allow them to rely on him in the playoffs for pressure, even with only four rushers. As a rookie, a double-digit total of sacks was an ambitious goal. However, more than five felt both realistic and impactful given his skill level and draft position. Green has had a tough time so far. Green’s pass rush moves have been successful as expected, and he is playing more snaps against the running game than the Ravens had hoped he would as a rookie.
Green earned a PFF grade of 43.4 for his 45 snaps against the Chiefs (63%) It is important to understand the context. Zach Orr, the coordinator, has used Green and other linebackers on the outside as inside backers during run snaps. Green has also been used in some coverage. This is not the best way to prepare a rookie for success. Green’s grades for run and coverage were, therefore, 53.8 and 28.0, respectively. Green earned a 75.5 grade for tackling and a 65.7 grade for pass rush. You can now see the reasons for the lower overall grade. Green should be allowed to concentrate on pass rush as the Ravens adjust their defense throughout the season.
Buchanan played his worst game in his brief NFL career, and it was against the Chiefs. It’s not surprising, since the Chiefs are among the best at attacking inside linebackers and Andy Reid’s scheme is complex and difficult to understand as a defender. Buchanan, who played 73% of the Ravens’ games according to PFF, was rated as the third worst Ravens defensive player with a 38.3 grade. It looked as if he was abused by the Ravens in coverage. His grade, which is 30.4, reflects this.
Buchanan’s season is good despite a bad performance. By the second week of Buchanan’s rookie season, he had seized a starting role. As a rookie, it is a big deal to be the second inside linebacker. It’s even bigger as a pick from Day 3. Buchanan has a bigger role now that starter Roquan is out with a hamstring problem for several weeks. Buchanan will have to wait to see how much bigger his role becomes now. He’ll likely take at least 85% snaps until Smith comes back.
Tyler Loop was a perfect placekicker on another day. He hit both his extra points as well as both his field goals from 32 and 44 yards. Loop completed all four kickoffs this season without a single illegal kickoff penalty. This is the first time that he has done so in his rookie year. Loop continues his excellent rookie campaign, and now that Lamar Jackson is out for at least the Week 5 game and possibly longer, Loop may be the team’s main scorer for the next few games.
Wester was quiet on Sunday, with no offensive production or punt returns to speak of. Wester’s punt-fielding has been refreshing so far this year. Wester is not timid when he has the ball in his hands. He makes confident decisions about fair catches and returns. He has been very dynamic with the football in his hand, and I expect him to have a few large returns with at least one touchdown the rest of the year. Wester will not get more than a couple of offensive snaps per game unless multiple injuries happen in the wide receivers room.
Peebles played only nine snaps this week. This is the lowest number and percentage of his career (12%). The Ravens have relied on new callups such as Okoye, Tupou, and others to fill the void left by the defensive line injuries. Peebles is clearly a pass rusher at this stage. It’s probably best that Peebles is playing in this role, since he was drafted to be a smaller defensive lineman. Peebles has also had a disappointing start, with only three tackles and three pressures in his four first games.
Peebles, with Washington and Madubuike both out at least for three more games each, has an opportunity to establish himself as a player in the coming weeks. Travis Jones’ return as a pass rusher could benefit Peebles, by attracting some attention. Edge rushers who win more games would also be helpful.
The Ravens are suffering from a number of injuries, especially on the defensive end. As their roles increase, Keyon Martin and Jay Higgins will be included in the rookie report. Higgins did not play any defensive snaps but could see his role increase in the coming weeks. Roquan is expected to be out for several weeks. Teddye Buchanan, a rookie, is now the first player on the depth chart. Trenton Simpson is next in line, but he hasn’t been able to hold onto his position for the past four games, both this season and last. Higgins also has to beat Jake Hummel who played 26 snaps on Sunday, but only came in the third quarter. Higgins could take over the role if he gets a shot.
Lowery barely played this season. In two of his four games, he was a healthy scratch and only took six snaps. There are still open defensive back positions on gameday, as Nate Wiggins is questionable and Marlon Humphrey has been reported to be out for multiple weeks. Humphrey starts the train so Lowery can receive snaps. Keyon Martin seems to be the nickel’s top option right now, but Lowery has played every secondary spot in camp and they may share a role. Lowery may also receive snaps at safety if Kyle Hamilton decides to move into the slot. However, Sanoussi Kane could still be ahead of him.
Keyon MartinMartin is the only UDFA who has seen significant action. He has taken snaps every time Humphrey left the field. Martin’s first defensive snap came on Sunday after Humphrey left the field. Martin played 39 snaps in total and scored 59.0 points on PFF. All of his snaps were taken when there were 5 defensive backs. It’s not been a particularly noteworthy play, but it’s a huge improvement on Humphrey who, after earning All-Pro honors last year as a nickel corner, is now being targeted by the opposing offenses. Humphrey will hopefully be able to reset after this injury break, but Martin can earn snaps in the future by filling in.