For as long as the Baltimore Ravens have been relevant, their success has always been rooted in more than just their early-round selections. The ability to build a championship-caliber roster has consistently come from the top down -- through structure, scouting, and player development.
Whether it was Ozzie Newsome during his legendary tenure or Eric DeCosta continuing that tradition, Baltimore’s consistent ability to identify, draft, and develop players on Day 3 has been a major reason why the Ravens have maintained one of the league’s most physical and complete defenses for decades.
That theme has continued in 2025 with the emergence of rookie 'backer Teddye Buchanan. A fourth-round pick out of Cal, Buchanan entered the league as a 6-foot-2, 235-pound rangy defender with the kind of sideline-to-sideline quickness and urgency that the Ravens covet.
Teddye Buchanan fitting in perfectly with Ravens' defense
Baltimore has always valued defenders who play fast and finish violent through contact -- and Buchanan fits the mold from the jump.
In a defense that blends veterans like Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton with ascending young talents such as Nate Wiggins and fellow rookie Malaki Starks, Buchanan’s presence has added another layer of athleticism and depth to the middle of the field. He’s still learning, of course -- rookie linebackers in the NFL rarely hit the ground running -- but his flashes have been enough to justify the Ravens’ faith in their process.
He’s taken his lumps along the way: three missed tackles against Chicago, a touchdown allowed in coverage at Kansas City, and some teachable moments against Miami in Week 9. Yet, even amid those rookie errors, his effort and motor have remained constant.
What’s particularly encouraging is how quickly Buchanan’s processing and trigger speed have improved on tape from Week 1 against Buffalo, to now in mid-November. He’s learning from one of the best in Smith, studying his fits, timing, and communication.
But beyond his early-down work, Buchanan’s versatility has earned him a core role on special teams, where his physicality and instincts have made him one of Baltimore’s most reliable contributors in the third phase.
It's often where rookies earn their stripes, and Buchanan has embraced it fully.
For Baltimore, their history of unearthing contributors on Day 3 -- names like DL Pernell McPhee, S Chuck Clark, and more recently TE Isaiah Likely -- speaks to an organizational DNA built on scouting detail and player development.
Buchanan appears to be the next name in that lineage: a rookie taking his lessons, flashing real upside, and embodying the toughness that defines Ravens football. And in a few years, the 129th overall pick may look like yet another quiet steal from one of the NFL’s most consistent front offices.