The Baltimore Ravens came out of the 2025 NFL Draft with a draft class that was projected to be among the best in the league. However, four weeks in, they have yet to reap the rewards of such a strong class. It is way too early to judge the rookies thus far, but given how heavily Baltimore has been leaning on them in the early going, the group has been slightly disappointing.
Rookie second-round selection Mike Green is one of those players who has struggled to adjust to the NFL level through the first month of the regular season. Through four games and 168 defensive snaps, Green has yet to tally his first career NFL sack and has accounted for just four hurries.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Green ranks 158th among 165 qualifying edge defenders with a grade of 38.5. He has especially had difficulties stopping the run, but his pass rush seems to be improving after earning a 65.8 grade in that department against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Regardless, these struggles are expected from rookies. However, he needs to step up due to the variety of injuries that have hit the starting unit on defense. He has played at least 45 snaps in each of the past three weeks, and although veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy appears due to return in Week 5, the Ravens have failed to apply consistent pressure this year. They will hope Green can help turn that around. He is set to do just that on Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Mike Green poised to shake off early-season struggles in Week 5
With Van Noy’s potential return, Baltimore will likely start him alongside Odafe Oweh. That will allow Green to provide a ton of juice off the bench with fresh legs. In that situation, he would be poised to pester a struggling Texans’ offensive line.
The Texans have given up 10 sacks in 2025, and according to PFF, the group ranks 31st in the NFL entering Week 5. Green could find himself some favorable matchups, particularly against fellow rookie, left tackle Aireontae Ersery. Ersery has found similar troubles in his rookie campaign, registering a 48.0 overall grade, per PFF, and a 50.5 pass blocking grade.
Ersery is also a bigger tackle who can struggle to mirror and bend, which could allow Green to expose those flaws. Green has the speed, bend, and motor to win along the edge, especially against a slower tackle like Ersery. If Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr turns him loose against Houston, we should see the rookie take massive strides.