Ravens and Lamar Jackson Form NFL's Best Team-QB Marriage
The arrival of peak wedding season prompted Fox Sports’ Henry McKenna to look at "the sacred union between a team and its quarterback" and rank the top 11 marriages.
McKenna based his list on which teams have the most functional on-field relationships when it comes to giving their quarterback the scheme, coaching, and personnel they need.
The pairing of Lamar Jackson and the Ravens took the No. 1 spot.
"The Ravens and Jackson aren't your typical team-player relationship, but that's what makes them so special," McKenna wrote. "After all, Jackson went 32nd overall in the draft. He wasn't the prototypical passer teams are accustomed to building their offense around. It took a creative and confident coach like John Harbaugh, who could bring in the right coordinator(s) to create an offense for Jackson.
"And what an offense they've made together. Last season, Jackson threw for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing for 915 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson and the Ravens really understand each other. Relationship goals."
The Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes were No. 2. The Los Angeles Rams and Matthew Stafford, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield, and Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurts rounded out the top five, respectively.
Pundit Says Malaki Starks and Mike Green Could Help Ravens Have NFL's Most Dominant Defense
NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha identified the most intriguing questions around the league as the first round of minicamps comes to a close.
The Ravens were the subject of one of the questions, specifically whether a youth movement will make their defense the most dominant in the NFL again.
"Baltimore has high hopes for its first two picks in this year's draft, as safety Malaki Starks and edge rusher Mike Green have the potential to help this defense immediately," Chadiha wrote. "The Ravens started slowly on that side of the football last season, as coverage mishaps and explosive passing plays marred the first half of the year until personnel changes and adjustments turned that unit into one of the league's best down the stretch. Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr already loves the chemistry that has developed between Starks and veteran safety Kyle Hamilton in offseason workouts. Like Hamilton, Starks is versatile and has a nose for the football, so the expectation is that he'll learn fast.
"Green was a first-round talent who slipped into the second round because of off-field concerns, and he might end up being one of the steals of the draft. He led the FBS in sacks in 2024, and his athleticism – he played wide receiver in high school and linebacker at Virginia before finishing at Marshall – could make him disruptive in Year 1. Orr admitted to local reporters that this defense learned a lot about itself by dealing with those growing pains in his first year on the job. The additions of Starks and Green should make that process much easier this fall."
Teddye Buchanan Named Post-Round 1 Pick Who Could Make an Impact
Starks and Green aren't the only Ravens rookies getting noticed. CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso tabbed linebacker Teddye Buchanan as a player picked after the first round who could earn a key role.
"In two years, we will all be flabbergasted when we're reminded Buchanan was selected in the fourth round," Trapasso wrote. "And he couldn't have landed in a finer situation, in Baltimore, on a Ravens team in need for athleticism at off-ball linebacker. By the way, the Ravens have a long history of defensive stoutness, stemming particularly from that spot on the field.
"Buchanan was a magnet to the football at California in 2024, with 114 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, with four pass breakups after a spectacularly productive career at UC-Davis. Trust me, Buchanan is going to rock in Baltimore."
Pundit Identifies Ravens' Roster Flaw
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton looked at the leading Super Bowl contenders and identified a roster flaw for each.
Moton contended that the worst-case scenario for the Ravens is their developing guards limiting Derrick Henry's impact in the running game.
"The Baltimore Ravens lost versatile offensive lineman Patrick Mekari in free agency. Last year, he started at left guard in most of the games," Moton wrote. "This year, Andrew Vorhees is in line to start at left guard, while right guard Daniel Faalele looks to improve in his second full year as a starter. Vorhees only started in three games last season. Faalele fared well as a pass-blocker, giving up one sack, but he committed six penalties, per Pro Football Focus.
"If Vorhees hadn't torn his ACL during the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, a team would've probably drafted him before the seventh round. Nonetheless, that early setback, coupled with his pro inexperience, leaves a question mark at left guard. The Ravens need Faalele to be cleaner with his execution. … Henry is a 6'2", 247-pound locomotive, but even he needs solid blocking against stout run defenses."
The Ravens have no glaring weaknesses, and there's reason to believe the left guard position won't be an issue.
Vorhees, who won the starting left guard role out of training camp last year before suffering an ankle injury in Week 3 that led to Mekari taking over the job, performed well in the regular-season finale when the Ravens rested starters.
Veteran Ben Cleveland is also in the running to start at left guard. He has made seven starts and played well when called upon. As for Faalele, he played well enough last season to be named a Pro Bowl alternate.
Three members of the 2025 draft class, an undrafted rookie, and a veteran wide receiver were among the Ravens' standouts during OTAs.
RB Keaton Mitchell
Mitchell said he was fully recovered from the major knee injury he suffered as a rookie in 2023. He made sharp cuts without hesitation and showed breakaway speed when bouncing outside.
WR DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins and Lamar Jackson clicked during their only OTA practice together, with Hopkins running precise routes and making several impressive sideline catches. Hopkins' talent and experience made his adjustment to Baltimore's offense look seamless.
WR Anthony Miller
After catching four passes in Baltimore's two playoff games while Zay Flowers was sidelined, Miller picked up where he left off. He made a spectacular diving catch on Tuesday and followed with a strong Wednesday practice.
OLB Adisa Isaac
After an injury-plagued rookie season, Isaac reported with a chiseled look after putting in the work to avoid more hamstring issues. Isaac showed a skill set that could add depth to Baltimore's pass rush group this fall.
G Ben Cleveland
Cleveland is competing with Andrew Vorhees for the starting job at left guard, and the coaching staff wants someone to clearly win the job. That makes it another crucial summer for Cleveland, now in his fifth year with Baltimore.
OLB Mike Green
Green, who led the FBS in sacks at Marshall, had an interception Tuesday after dropping into coverage. The second-round pick was praised by coaches for his effort and showed his versatility and athleticism.
OLB Odafe Oweh
A more muscular Oweh has added 20 pounds since last season, which should help his pass rushing once the pads come on. Coming off a 10-sack campaign, Oweh reported to OTAs in great shape and clearly hungry for more.
S Malaki Starks
Showing leadership both on and off the field, Starks made plays and carried himself like a vet during OTAs. Starks looked very steady handling the high expectations that come with being a first-round pick.
WR LaJohntay Wester
Wester fielded punts cleanly as he began working to secure the No. 1 punt returner role. At wide receiver, Wester ran crisp routes and showed potential to take his playmaking ability to the NFL level.
WR Devontez Walker
The second-year wide receiver ran decisive routes and gained separation on a regular basis. Walker's obvious improvement made a very talented wide receiver group look even stronger.
CB Reuben Lowery
An undrafted rookie from Tennessee-Chattanooga, Lowery had interceptions on back-to-back days last week. Lowery is a long shot to make the 53-man roster, but he drew attention with his playmaking.
ILB Roquan Smith
Smith was at every OTA session, which speaks to his commitment and leadership. Calling out signals and directing his teammates in the middle of the defense, Smith appeared to be setting the table for another All-Pro year.
S Sanoussi Kane
Kane had a stellar practice Tuesday, making an interception and breaking up a pass intended for Isaiah Likely. With the No. 3 safety job open, Kane took a step towards claiming it.
CB T.J. Tampa
Healthy after being hampered by injuries as a rookie, Tampa put strong practices together and had an acrobatic interception on Monday. Tampa looked determined to earn more playing time in the cornerback rotation.
CB Nate Wiggins
Wiggins returned 10 pounds heavier after his strong rookie season and was just as sticky in coverage. He had an interception during the second week of OTAs and said his goal was to force at least 10 turnovers in 2025.
