Pundit Says Mike Green Can Be Ravens' First Franchise Edge Rusher Since Terrell Suggs
The Ravens didn't just get one of the biggest draft steals when they selected Marshall edge rusher Mike Green in the second round at No. 59 overall, but they also may have gotten the franchise edge rusher they haven't had since Terrell Suggs.
Being mentioned in the same sentence as Suggs, a likely Hall of Famer who played in Baltimore from 2003-2018, is high praise, but CBS Sports' Mike Renner believes it's an apt projection.
"I think so," Renner said on “Glenn Clark Radio.” "I don't see him really being limited, because he is so explosive, and his bend is so good, and he is so relentless as a pass rusher that I think he is just going to get it done. While he has a smaller frame, he's also a very good run defender, too. I think that part of his game got underrated throughout the draft process. He's a true every-down edge. I don't think that's even a debate in my mind."
Renner said that after Abdul Carter, who was selected third overall by the New York Giants, Green has the highest floor of any pass rusher in this draft class.
"You've seen him put it into action already very consistently," Renner said. "While I get the knock that he didn't play great competition, he did play Virginia Tech this past season, he did play Ohio State. You flip on those films, he is the best defensive football player on the field in those games. And then you go to the Senior Bowl, and after two days he just walked off and didn't play the rest of the time because he was already that good.
"He's got high-end athletic tools and already has a number of moves at his disposal rushing the passer."
The analytics support Renner's opinion of Green. ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder projected Green's sack total over the next three seasons to be second only to Carter among players drafted this year.
Malaki Starks Impressed Former NFL Players With His Smarts, Maturity, and Professionalism
It's not only pundits who have described first-round safety Malaki Starks as a home run pick for the Ravens. Former NFL players who have trained with the Georgia star also are extremely high on him.
"When I first met him — I deal with so many young men that are in their early 20s — a lot of times you say, 'They just got a little maturing to do," former NFL wideout turned trainer Yo Murphy told The Baltimore Sun’s Sam Cohn. "They just gotta be a little more process driven. With Malaki, it wasn't like that. You got a guy that has that type of athletic ability but really thinks through and wants to know everything about his body, everything about performance. He wants to be great.
"His maturity, professionalism and his approach, his interviewing me about where he's gonna train, just showed a lot about him."
After Murphy introduced Starks to Tampa Bay Buccaneers three-time Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield Jr. following a workout earlier this year, he said Starks immediately began asking the veteran about his process.
"I could hear him asking questions," Murphy said, "like, 'What's the hardest thing about your position?' Or, 'What do you do to prepare?'"
Murphy said that after former cornerback Logan Ryan, who played 11 seasons in the NFL, worked out with Starks, Ryan told him "he's the smartest young guy I ever met."
Aeneas Peeples Named Day 3 Pick Who Can Make an Impact
Pro Football Focus’ Max Chadwick named Ravens sixth-round defensive tackle Aeneas Peeples one of 10 Day 3 picks who can play big roles.
"Peebles fell to the sixth round of the draft because he measures in at only 6-foot-1 and 289 pounds with 31.5-inch arms. However, he can carve out a role on Baltimore's defensive line as a designated pass rusher and be very effective," Chadwick wrote. "His 92.2 PFF pass-rush grade and 18.9% pass-rush win rate over the past two seasons were easily the best marks of any FBS defensive tackle in that span."
Peeples was one of only two players drafted after the fifth round to make the list.
On a side note, when Walder narrowed his sack-total projections over the next three seasons to defensive tackles, Peeples ranked eighth in this draft class.
Ravens Deemed AFC North Draft Winners
The Ravens have won the AFC North title the past two years, and they also were the division winners in this year's draft, according to PFF’s Bradley Locker.
"General Manager Eric DeCosta keeps stacking draft awards year after year," Locker wrote. "The Ravens aced another draft, adding two players at positions of need — and arguably who each should've gone in the first round — with Malaki Starks and Mike Green. Starks (78.3 PFF overall grade) offers positional versatility to form an elite tandem with Kyle Hamilton, while Green (90.2-plus PFF grade as a pass rusher and run defender) should boost a room with Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh."
Locker noted that the Ravens also landed players with upside in the late rounds, specifically mentioning Peeples, fourth-round linebacker Teddye Buchanan, and sixth-round kicker Tyler Loop.
"The Bengals, Steelers and Browns all addressed at least some needs with their rookie crops, but the Ravens take this crown one more time," Locker wrote.
Two Ravens Games Ranked Among 10 Best Matchups of 2025 Season
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra ranked the top 10 games of the 2025 season excluding divisional matchups. Two Ravens games made the list:
3. Los Angeles Rams at Ravens
"This one might fly under the radar for many fans, but not for me. Do you remember the last time these clubs faced off? They gave us more fireworks than the Fourth of July in one of the best games of the 2023 season, an OT barnburner capped off by a 76-yard Tylan Wallace punt-return TD. The defenses on both sides might have improved since, but even so, any time Lamar Jackson and Matthew Stafford are on the field, explosives ensue. The matchups in this one are enticing: Jackson weaving around one of the best defensive fronts in football to create big plays with his arm and legs; Stafford bullying the Ravens secondary with big-bodied wideouts Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Grrrrrr. I can't believe we have to wait months for this game!"
7. Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
"I know I'm recycling teams, but I couldn't leave Lamar Jackson versus Patrick Mahomes on the cutting room floor. Last year's season opener was a big toe from OT or a Ravens game-ending two-point try for the win. Baltimore racked up 452 yards, and if not for a couple of Jackson miscues and a missed field goal necessitating a furious late-game comeback that fell shy, it could have been a much different outcome. The bout typified the Chiefs season -- hanging on to pull out a one-score victory despite not playing their best. Mahomes and Jackson account for four of the past seven NFL MVP awards. Their matchups are, by default, appointment viewing."
