Ravens’ 7 Most Exciting Rookies to Watch at Training Camp
As the Baltimore Ravens begin their preseason training, the focus has shifted toward evaluating the newest members of the roster. The 2025 NFL Draft brought in a group of highly promising rookies, each offering unique skills that could shape the team’s immediate and future outlook.
Via Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore prioritized positional depth, football intelligence, and long-term potential with 11 selections and a couple of undrafted additions. Even while some of these players are already making waves in the early practices, competition, performance, and flexibility throughout camp will reveal the full scope of their contributions.
Malaki Starks – A Versatile Safety with Leadership Qualities
Malaki Starks, the Ravens’ first-round draft selection, comes into training camp with as much anticipation as his draft standing. Selected 27th overall, Starks brings a complete and refined game to Baltimore’s secondary. His four-year rookie contract, which includes a fifth-year team option, signifies a long-term commitment to his development and potential stardom.
Via WTOP
Starks is regarded as one of the smartest and most adaptable defensive backs in his class because of his instincts, ball skills, and zone coverage expertise. As the only FBS player to record at least 1,500 safety snaps and 500 slot cornerback snaps in the last three seasons, Starks has shown exceptional flexibility during his collegiate career. The Ravens’ adaptable defensive schemes are a perfect fit for that variety of experience.
A defense that thrives on sabotaging rival attacks is further strengthened by his aggressiveness and potent run defense. The chemistry between Starks and current standout Kyle Hamilton is exciting to coaches and observers, who perceive a potent combination that enhances the team’s back-end coverage.
Via Ravens Wire – USA Today
Starks has made a good impact thus far in training camp and mini-camps. He is wearing jersey number 24, a tribute to his late cousin, a gesture that reflects his personal motivation and emotional connection to the game. Beyond his physical abilities, his leadership has been evident.
Mike Green – A Relentless Pass Rusher Ready to Contribute
Drafted in the second round, edge rusher Mike Green arrived in Baltimore with a well-earned reputation as a disruptive force. His collegiate stats include 22 tackles for loss and 51 quarterback pressures, a figure that tied for the sixth-most in the FBS. These numbers reflect both his ability to collapse the pocket and his consistent presence in the backfield.
Via WCHS
Baltimore may be able to more strategically cycle veterans like Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy thanks to Green’s physicality and energy, which would keep them fresh all season long. Green’s signing of his rookie contract made him the last player from Baltimore’s 2025 draft class to formally join the organization, completing a youthful defensive line that is prepared to develop under the franchise’s tutelage.
Green’s performance at training camp is crucial since the defensive front is anticipated to be crucial in setting the pace and applying pressure. Whether he can get early playing time and establish himself as a reliable edge rusher in the long run will depend on how well he performs.
Via Ravens Wire – USA Today
Jay Higgins – An Undrafted Linebacker Out to Prove Himself
Linebacker Jay Higgins is one of the most intriguing rookies on the Ravens’ training camp roster, even though he was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Baltimore’s swift decision to sign him to a three-year contract worth almost $3 million shows how much they value his abilities. Originally from Iowa, Higgins established himself as a high-motor defender with exceptional instincts and leadership skills.
In 2023, Higgins led the FBS in total tackles and was named a two-time All-American. He started all 13 games and collected 124 total tackles, including 53 solo stops, during his stellar senior season. Higgins demonstrated his ability to play a role in both run defense and pass coverage by contributing with interceptions and pass breakups. His excellent football IQ and tenacious style allowed him to fit in seamlessly with the Ravens’ defensive scheme, according to Sports Illustrated.
Via Baltimore Ravens
While Higgins may not carry the draft-day accolades of his peers, his production and work ethic make him a strong candidate to make the 53-man roster. His early performance during offseason activities has drawn praise, and his ability to stand out against more heralded prospects will be tested in full during training camp. Baltimore’s linebacker room is competitive, but Higgins has a real opportunity to carve out a role.
Desmond Igbinosun – A Physical Safety with Starting Potential
Desmond Igbinosun joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent, but his track record suggests he could make waves during camp. The 22-year-old safety stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 223 pounds, giving him the frame and physicality suited for the NFL level. He played in 41 games throughout his four years at Rutgers, 29 of which he started, and recorded 186 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and two sacks.
Via The New York Times
Igbinosun is a player who knows his role and performs well, as evidenced by his regular appearance in the starting lineup and his output as a tackler. He can add depth and insurance to the safety group by playing downhill and offering dependable run support, which enhances the skill sets of players like Starks and Hamilton.
Emery Jones Jr. – A Promising Tackle with Long-Term Potential
Offensive tackle Emery Jones Jr. was selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and the Ravens see him as a possible long-term fixture on the offensive line. Coming out of LSU, Jones was a three-year starter at right tackle and earned second-team All-SEC honors twice, a testament to his consistency and performance against elite competition.
Via Sports Illustrated
Baltimore was certain that his athleticism and footwork would translate to the professional level, so they selected him with the 91st overall pick. Jones is currently recovering from a shoulder injury but is expected to participate in training camp. Jones still has a lot of promise, even if lineman Andrew Vorhees might have an advantage in the battle due to his delayed start.
He has strong fundamental abilities, as evidenced by his Pro Football Focus pass-blocking rating of 67.4, but he might be even more productive in a scheme that capitalizes on his quickness. Jones emphasizes the emotional motivation behind his on-field efforts by playing with a “Jones Proud” dedication inscribed on his eye black after losing his father when he was a little boy. He is an intriguing rookie because of his talent and resilient nature.
Via Baltimore Ravens
Teddye Buchanan – A Versatile Linebacker with Explosive Traits
Selected in the fourth round, Teddye Buchanan is one of the Ravens’ most athletic rookies going into training camp. He had an incredible season with the Golden Bears, recording 114 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, and forcing multiple fumbles during his journey from UC Davis to the University of California.
In his final year of college, Buchanan proved that he could be a dominant linebacker. Buchanan stood out at the 2025 NFL Combine with a 40-inch vertical leap and 26 repetitions of the bench press, demonstrating his strength and explosiveness.
Via 247 Sports
The Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fourth round because of these physical characteristics as well as his field production. He might play with seasoned Roquan Smith and is anticipated to fight for snaps at inside linebacker, turning out to be an asset.
Buchanan’s well-rounded game includes run-stopping, pass coverage, and pass-rushing ability, making him a valuable asset in various defensive packages. His collegiate background and performance metrics suggest that he has the tools to adapt quickly to NFL speed. If he continues to impress during camp, Buchanan could play a meaningful role in the Ravens’ linebacker rotation early in the season.
Via Sports Illustrated
Keondre Jackson – A Standout Safety from the FCS Level
Keondre Jackson arrives in Baltimore after a decorated career at Illinois State, where he earned FCS All-American honors and first-team All-MVFC recognition. His size at 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, along with his instincts, make him a physical and aggressive safety.
Jackson appeared in 45 games with 33 starts, amassing 225 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, five interceptions, and 13 pass deflections. His senior year was especially noteworthy. During the FCS playoffs, Jackson recorded 99 total tackles and three interceptions, including a 30-yard pick-six.
Via MSN
He played with great consistency and contributed 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and six pass breakups. Double-digit tackles and timely turnovers in crucial situations were among his best games. Jackson was chosen to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the Hula Bowl, two prominent all-star competitions that showcase elite athletes from lesser programs. His profile was elevated by these appearances, which eventually resulted in his signing with the Ravens.
Though he faces stiff competition at safety, his physical play and ability to create turnovers could earn him a spot on the roster or practice squad. His performance during training camp and preseason games will determine how quickly he adjusts to the NFL level.
Via American Heritage School
Baltimore’s Top 7 Rookie Standouts Entering Camp
The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2025 preseason with a rookie class filled with talent, determination, and potential. From first-round standout Malaki Starks to undrafted competitors like Jay Higgins and Desmond Igbinosun, each player brings a distinct set of attributes that could help shape the team’s future.
While not all of them will see starting roles immediately, their development during training camp will offer a clearer view of how they fit into the broader picture. The rookies excite coaches and fans alike with their combination of football intelligence, leadership, and athleticism.
Via Strategic Factory
They have the chance to establish themselves as vital members of the Ravens’ roster, whether they are protecting the quarterback, playing on special teams, or switching into defensive packages. The 2025 training camp serves as a testing ground for a new generation of players hoping to continue Baltimore’s legacy of excellence, in addition to being a place to get ready for the next season.
