Ravens star rookie eyeing top honor (and it’s not who you think)

The Baltimore Ravens are in a drought. It’s been 21 years since the team had a rookie bring home the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. That honor went to Terrell Suggs, and I guess you could say he turned out to be a pretty good player. But now, one rookie could be one of the top candidates to break the dry spell, and it’s not Baltimore’s first-round pick.

Damian Parson of Bleacher Report recently named six rookies who are most likely to be named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025, and Baltimore’s second-round pick Mike Green was among the players listed.

Can Green put Baltimore rookies back in the spotlight?

The Ravens have had some outstanding rookies over the past several years, but none have had the privilege of being named the best of the best. That could change this year.

For Ravens Rookie of the Year candidates, Green is likely not the first to come to mind. First-round pick Malaki Starks is heralded as one of the top rookies from this past year’s draft and impressing early. However, the award is usually a pass rusher’s to win, giving Green a golden opportunity. 

Green heads into his first NFL season and is coming off a monstrous season at Marshall. He led the nation in sacks with 17 and added a superb 23 tackles for loss. He was supposed to be a top draft pick, but off-the-field issues caused his fall to Baltimore at pick 59 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The 21-year-old is known for his first-step explosiveness and speed off the edge. He has active hands and is one of the most technically sound rookies in the class. He joins a strong defensive unit that was second in sacks last season at 54. With that kind of sack production on the defense, Green could put up the numbers necessary to win the award. 

Although he’s part of an elite defense, that could also be a curse when trying to win an individual-based honor. The Ravens have Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh wreaking havoc off the edge. Both amassed 10 plus sacks in 2024–Van Noy totaling 12.5 and Oweh securing 10. Oweh is also in a contract year, so he’ll be looking to earn some money this offseason with a breakout campaign.

Baltimore’s depth chart is crowded with other young pass rushers, too. Players like David Ojabo, Adisa Isaac, and Tavius Robinson haven’t been significant factors, but they could turn a corner this season. Having too many options rushing the passer is a phenomenal problem for the Ravens. Although, for Green’s Defensive Rookie of the Year hopes, they could quickly vanish.

With Baltimore going all in for 2025, they should unleash Green early and give him a great chance at making a run for the award. He’s capable of dominating offensive fronts and making plays in the backfield, which is exactly what Baltimore needs more of this season.

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