The Baltimore Ravens' 2025 season has been a forgettable one. Somehow, they are still in playoff contention, but at 6-7, it looks like a lost season.
Once considered a top Super Bowl contender entering the regular season, the Ravens are hanging onto their playoff hopes by a thread. Even if they make it to January, it is widely considered that they will be a first-round exit. However, anything can happen.
Despite the dreary outlook of this year’s campaign, there have been several bright spots. Some of those promising areas revolve around the team’s 2025 rookie class. Top selections, safety Malaki Starks and outside linebacker Mike Green, have experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows, but undoubtedly have promising futures. For linebacker Teddye Buchanan, the fourth-round pick has been a welcome surprise for the starting defense.
Seth Trachtman on Yardbarker listed 20 of the biggest surprises this season. Baltimore’s Buchanan was one of the players who made the list. Trachtman wrote:
“The Ravens have struggled this season, but not all news in Baltimore has been gloomy. Buchanan has emerged as a key starter after being drafted in the fourth round, accumulating 80 tackles in his first 11 games.”
Teddye Buchanan is already breaking out
For most day-three picks, it can be a struggle to crack starting units. That especially does not come easy on a John Harbaugh-coached team. Buchanan, though, has quickly taken the reins of the starting spot next to linebacker Roquan Smith.
Fellow linebacker Trenton Simpson has struggled throughout his three-year career, opening up the possibility for Buchanan to take on a bigger role. In Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns, Buchanan made his first career start. He has not looked back.
According to Pro Football Focus, Buchanan has been below average. He has posted just a 57.5 grade through 13 games. The main area of concern has been his struggles in pass coverage, but he is developing into a stout tackler and run defender. He has a 75.3 tackling grade and 69.8 run defense grade.
Buchanan is second on the Ravens in tackles with 91, trailing Smith by nine. He also has five tackles for loss, which is tied for fourth on the team, and 0.5 sacks.
After linebackers Chris Board and Malik Harrison departed in free agency last offseason, it was clear that Baltimore needed to find a new partner in crime for Smith. 14 weeks into his professional career, Buchanan is becoming just that.