The Ravens are counting on their promising rookie class, and Week 1 will be their first taste of the real thing.
First-round pick Malaki Starks will make his NFL debut as a starting safety against the Buffalo Bills. Outside linebacker Mike Green will have a chance to get his first career sack against Josh Allen. Tyler Loop could be called upon to make his first game-winning kick. LaJohntay Wester is hoping to bust loose on a punt return like he did in the preseason opener.
All of them will feel butterflies making their NFL debut, but Green is confident the Ravens' rookies are ready to roll.
"It's going to be the first time we get to showcase our talent," said Green, a second-round pick from Marshall who led the nation in sacks. "I think we've got a great team, and the competition we're going against is going to be good as well. It's going to be a good test and we're ready and excited."
Green would love to get his first NFL sack against Allen, but that's easier said than done due to Allen's size, speed, and strength. Even if the Ravens can't get to Allen, they'd like to pressure him consistently and make him uncomfortable in the pocket.
"He's not just big, he's fast, he's elusive in the pocket, he's quick," Green said. "As you can tell, it's difficult to get him down. We're doing our tackle drills, getting coached on what to do. I think we're very prepared for it."
Starks has carried himself like a starter from Day 1, showing the poise and preparation of a much more experienced player. Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr doesn't believe anything about Starks' demeanor will change come Sunday.
"I'm fully confident in Malaki," Orr said. "I can't wait for him to go out there and go play a full game. He played a little bit in the preseason, but he didn't play a lot of snaps. I think he's going to play really well for us. He's done great in camp. He's done great in practice. I might say he doesn't play like a rookie; he doesn't act like a rookie."
Loop looked confident throughout training camp and preseason while winning the kicking job and trusts his process will remain solid once the season begins.
"I'm excited," Loop said. "I feel good about the operation with Nick [Moore] and Jordan [Stout]. I think we put a lot of good work in this offseason.
"I've been kicking a football on a big stage since college. Now in the NFL, it's fun. It's the same game, it's the same operation."
Wester had an 87-yard punt return in the preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, showing his potential to be a playmaker. Even when making a fair catch, Wester has been decisive and aggressive when fielding punts.
"There were guys going after him and trying to get after him, and he caught the ball [well], and he made great decisions, "Special Teams Coordinator Chris Horton said. "Even though it's preseason football – let's make no mistake about it – there are guys out there that are fighting for jobs and trying to make teams, and that's why he made this team. You watch him catch the ball, he catches the ball with confidence, and we're just looking forward to continuing to see him grow."
Aeneas Peebles will be part of the defensive line rotation, while linebacker Teddye Buchanan, and undrafted rookies Jay Higgins IV, Reuben Lowery III, and Keyon Martin could have roles on special teams.
"They all have roles, and they'll be different roles, but I fully expect those guys to go out there and play well," Horton said.
