Impressive Ravens rookie may put struggling veteran on thin ice in Week 3

The Baltimore Ravens made an interesting decision in their Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns, benching linebacker Trenton Simpson for rookie fourth-round pick Teddye Buchanan. While Simpson still saw snaps and made the most of them, it is clear that Buchanan is the favorite of the two.

Heading into Baltimore’s Week 3 game against the Detroit Lions, the linebacker group will have their work cut out for them. The Lions love to attack the middle of the field and pound the rock with running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, putting the pressure on the unit consisting of Roquan Smith, Buchanan, and Simpson.

Buchanan will more than likely take the field with the starting unit again on Monday night. He has steadily cut into Simpson’s snap share since the 2025 season kicked off. In Week 1 versus the Buffalo Bills, Buchanan had 26 defensive snaps to Simpson’s 11. In Week 2, Buchanan saw his snaps skyrocket, taking 60 to Simpson’s 15.

Impressive Ravens rookie may put struggling veteran on thin ice ahead in Week 3

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Simpson has been the more impressive of the two. Through two games, the 24-year-old has registered an 86.9 PFF grade. That is good for 10th in the NFL. On the other hand, Buchanan has posted a 55.4 grade, per PFF. Still, the defense has performed much better with Buchanan taking the bulk of the snaps, and that should continue in Week 3.

Regardless of his PFF grade, Buchanan seems more than ready for the opportunity that lies ahead. He had a challenging college career that saw him start at UC Davis, an FCS program, before transferring to an FBS school in California. The 22-year-old has been through it all and is welcoming the challenge.

“The mindset has always been to stay as ready as I can, just prepare every single week to be successful,” Buchanan said in his Week 2 postgame interview. “Whatever happens, happens, and whatever the coach says, I’m going to be ready.”

Simpson will continue to have a role in the Ravens’ defense moving forward, even if Buchanan stands out on Monday Night Football. The former Clemson product may have seen a decrease in snaps due to his special teams blunder in the Bills game, and if he continues to shine in his opportunities, his snap share could go to the usual rate.

Simpson has the explosiveness to be a playmaker in the open field, and it translates in his blitzing opportunities. He can make his mark in that department moving forward, but for now, Baltimore’s defense is more sound with Buchanan playing next to Smith.

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