In 2025, the Baltimore Ravens are looking to finally claim the Lombardi Trophy for the first time with Lamar Jackson at the helm. They have fallen short countless times, but there is reason to believe that this year will be different.
The Ravens have talented starters at nearly every position. Their depth goes deep, too. Much of that is thanks to General Manager Eric DeCosta’s success in the NFL Draft. In this past April’s draft, the team brought in another terrific haul of rookies. One of those rookies is expected to be a major contender in the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation.
Second-round pick Mike Green was a first-round prospect in many scouts’ eyes, but fell to day two due to off-the-field concerns. However, he has quickly made an impact through training camp and preseason. He is already regarded as a top name in this year’s rookie class, and writer for CBS Sports, John Breech, thinks he will be the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
“Last year, I correctly predicted that Jared Verse would win defensive rookie of the year, and this year, I [am] jumping on the Mike Green bandwagon. A front seven player has won this award in seven of the past nine years and Green will keep that trend going,” Breech said. “The easiest way for a defensive player to win this award is to rack up sacks and Green is in the perfect division to do it.”
Mike Green projected to claim prestigious NFL honor in 2025
Breech hit the nail on the head perfectly. Baltimore’s schedule is littered with sackable quarterbacks. From poor offensive lines like the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans, to immobile quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco, Green will have the chance to rack up sacks quickly. The main issue is whether he will get enough opportunities.
Green is currently behind Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh on the depth chart, two players who tallied double-digit sacks in 2024. The rookie out of Marshall is on track to have a solid rookie campaign, but if Van Noy and Oweh continue to do their thing, Green may not put up the numbers needed to win the prestigious award.
However, Jared Verse proved last year that you do not need gaudy sack numbers to take home the honor. He only tallied 4.5 sacks in 2024, but was crowned Defensive Rookie of the Year because of his consistent presence in the backfield. He had 77 total pressures over the course of the regular season and a 19.7% pressure rate. Even if Green’s impact does not translate into sacks, it is clear that pressures are getting recognized more and more, and he has shown high-pressure rates through the preseason.
Baltimore is also coming off a season where they tallied the second-most sacks in football with 54. Their defensive coaching staff knows how to get home to the quarterback, and while they failed to do it consistently in 2024, Green could change that. He is rightfully a top candidate for the award. While other rookies, Abdul Carter and Jalon Walker, are currently favored over him, the 22-year-old is capable of being just as dominant.