On Sunday, the Ravens rookies faced the Los Angeles Rams in what was probably their second best defensive performance of the year. Two rookies from the special teams had probably the best day of all the class.
On Sunday, the Ravens rookies faced the Los Angeles Rams in what was probably their second best defensive performance of the year. Two rookies from the special teams had probably the best day of all the class.
Starks, the first-round draft pick this year, has been criticized for not living up to expectations. Starks had another bad day, earning a PFF score of 43.1. Starks’ run, tackling, and pass rush grades all rated 60.0 or higher, but his cover grade was only 43.1.
It’s difficult to blame him for all the defensive problems of the team. Remember that Kyle Hamilton struggled too, particularly early on. He contributed heavily to the game blown against Miami in Baltimore 2022. He’s also a rookie safety who plays 100% of the snaps in a bad defensive unit. Right now, his biggest goal is to avoid making devastating mistakes. He hopes for flashes of brilliance the rest the season. A training offseason and a few changes to the organization will prepare him for his big sophomore season.
Green’s rookie year is disappointing, similar to Starks. The talent advertised was not what it turned out to be. Green had a grade of 65.0, which is one of the highest he has ever received from PFF. Green did well in other categories but his pass rush grade of 55.5 was disappointing. This is part of an overall poor performance by edge rushers who failed to register a single pressure during the game.
Green has cemented himself as a player who plays a lot of snaps, especially with Odafe Oweh traded, Tavius Robertson out with injury and Adisa Isac still weeks from returning. The outside linebacker’s room will be bolstered during the bye-week with only three players healthy. Green’s snap count and role will not likely change too much. Green’s rookie season will be similar to Starks in that he hopes to show flashes of strength and power. Then, an offseason where he can add NFL-level muscle mass will help him move into his second year.
Buchanan, who is still missing Roquan Smith, took 100 percent of the snaps like last week. He struggled again to be the best inside backer on the team, with a 48.2 grade for run and a 62.4 grade for coverage. However, he showed off his athleticism in the run-and tackle game (a 81.8 grade for tacking and a 73.3 grade pass rush). He had a team leading nine tackles and two pressures including his first career-sack. Buchanan can reduce his responsibilities to focus on helping the team right now. Smith will return after the bye-week. Trenton Simpson has been praised by the team for his play, but he will likely take more snaps in the SAM outside linebacker role, which will further cement Buchanan’s position as ILB2.
Tyler Loop had a fairly uneventful day. Tyler Loop’s day was pretty uneventful. He made his one kick, a good 37-yarder, on the Ravens first drive. He did not have another kick try the rest of that day. His kickoffs were also clean, which is no mean feat in the face of wind. It wouldn’t surprise me if, with the bye-week approaching, the staff of the special teams and Loop worked on different kickoffs. The team will need to balance the potential for more kickoff penalties against the benefits of field position. Coming out of the half-time break, there is a chance for some more creative kicks.
Wester’s worst moment this season was when he fumbled a punt-return right before the end the second quarter, and it seemed to have ended the Ravens chances of breaking out of their 3-3 tie by halftime. Wester was given a second chance after the play was re-called due to Rams’ penalty. He didn’t disappoint. The rookie wideout fielded the kick confidently along the sideline. He quickly moved north and south, and then showed some wiggle to return it 35 yards. The Ravens were set up for the best chance of the day, which they wasted.
Peebles’s shocking absence from the Rams roster was a surprise. No defensive linemen were called up, so the roster was down to just four defensive linesmen. None of them were 3-techs. Brent Urban, who had been intentionally shorted, went down and further reduced the group to only three players. Urban was able to return to the team, but Peebles is not likely going be a healthy scratch anytime soon. It’s clear that the Ravens don’t think he can be a good run defender. However, they need bodies and depth. Peebles brings a pass-rush element and juice that none of the other linemen on the roster, not even Travis Jones, can match.
The UDFA role has plummeted since the return of Kyle Hamilton, Marlin Humphrey, and Alohi Gillman. The Ravens were looking for a change after Keyon Martin struggled against Houston. They found it. Humphrey was moved to the slot, and Hamilton was moved down into the box. Keyon Martin played just one snap. Lowery was also waived from the roster, and claimed by the Indianapolis Colts. His career in Baltimore is now over. It’s important to remember that Geno Stone, who was originally claimed by the Texans before returning to Baltimore in 2023 and breaking out, was also claimed in 2020. Jay Higgins has not played in the last two weeks that Roquan Smith was out. He will be relegated solely to special teams, with the veteran returning to the field for Week 8.