The Ravens gave linebacker Teddye Buchanan a troublesome task last 12 months when the fourth-round pick of Cal was given a full-time starting role by the second game of his rookie campaign. Buchanan answered the decision to motion admirably up until he tore his ACL in a Week 15 trip to Cincinnati. Based on Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, recent head coach Jesse Minter informed the media that Buchanan is “really far ahead of schedule” in his recovery.
Before tearing his ACL, the previous Golden Bear had quickly taken up the duty of manning the front seven next to All-Pro teammate Roquan Smith. Smith was criticized at times for not having a stereotypically impactful season in Baltimore this 12 months. Though he led the team in tackles, Smith recorded his lowest tackle total in seven years, forced no fumbles, and recorded zero sacks or interceptions for the primary time in his profession. Partially, his numbers lacked because of an injury that held him out for 2 games, but in addition, Smith found himself painted right into a more conservative role this 12 months as injuries handicapped the defense’s roster around him.
Buchanan was considered one of several young/backup players in Baltimore that were forced to step as much as fill a much bigger role. The team had hoped to see former Clemson third-round pick Trenton Simpson take the subsequent step after he began 13 games in his sophomore campaign the 12 months prior, but Buchanan replaced Simpson after the Ravens’ Week 1 defensive letdown in Buffalo. Simpson began the 2 games Smith missed in Weeks 5 & 6 then didn’t start one other game until Buchanan was sidelined together with his torn ACL.
Simpson did show improved quality of play in his reduced role off the bench, in accordance with Pro Football Focus (subscription required), going from a grade that had him ranked sixtieth of 84 players graded on the position in 2024 to twenty seventh of 88 last 12 months. Though Buchanan ranked lower — forty ninth of 88 — his composure as a Day 3 pick earning starting minutes made him the clear selection because the starter. Buchanan excelled in run-stopping situations over the course of his rookie 12 months, and once healthy, the Ravens will hope to see him improve in coverage.
Buchanan wasn’t in a position to fully take part in the team’s Organized Team Activities, and Minter didn’t give an actual timeline for the second-year defender’s return, but he sounded optimistic. “Everybody type of knows the timeline of when it happened, but the way in which that guy operates, the way in which that guy works, I don’t think there may be a timeline for him,” Minter told the media. “He’s a formidable dude, in how he goes about his business, just as most of our guys are.”