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The Ravens released longtime kicker Justin Tucker on Monday, ending his tenure with the franchise after 13 seasons. The decision comes after Tucker was accused of sexual misconduct by more than a dozen Baltimore-area massage therapists and amid an NFL investigation into the allegations. The accusers spoke out over the offseason, detailing Tucker’s alleged inappropriate actions from 2012 to 2016. On the field, Tucker’s 2024 season was also the worst of his illustrious career, as he missed a career-high eight field goals. Here’s a timeline of how we arrived at his release on Monday: Jan. 19: Ravens’ season ends The Ravens’ 2024-25 season ended in heartbreak, as they fell to the Bills by a mere two points in the AFC divisional round. Tucker was perfect in the loss, making both field goal attempts and his lone extra point attempt. Still, the longtime kicker’s season was the worst of his professional career. He made just 73.3% of his field goals, the only time in his career he’s made fewer than 80% of his kicks in a season. Tucker also missed a pair of extra points, giving him 10 missed kicks on the season. Jan. 22: Ravens back Tucker in news conference Baltimore’s brass suggested they still had faith in Tucker after his mediocre season during the team’s end-of-season news conference. “We’ll have those discussions, but I think I have every expectation that Justin’s going to be a great kicker for us next year and moving forward,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said. Coach John Harbaugh echoed those statements. It was expected that Baltimore would stick with Tucker for the immediate future in its effort to win a Super Bowl. Jan. 30: Allegations of sexual misconduct come out The Baltimore Banner detailed allegations of sexual misconduct against Tucker from local massage therapists. The allegations cited Tucker’s behavior from 2012 to 2016, during the early portion of his career with the Ravens. Related Articles Mike Preston: The Ravens cut Justin Tucker. There are no winners. | COMMENTARY Ravens release Justin Tucker, calling it a ‘football decision,’ amid NFL investigation READER POLL: What factor most led the Ravens to cut Justin Tucker? Is Justin Tucker’s time with Ravens nearing an end? Coach John Harbaugh provides insight. 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Through Feb. 2, Tucker faced nine accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior from massage therapists. The accusations, one of which was detailed to The Baltimore Sun, matched a similar description to the first allegations. “He was erect,” an anonymous massage therapist explained to The Sun of a previous massage she gave Tucker. “He laid face down, and his hand reached up on my inner thigh.” The therapist said she ended the massage session after the alleged inappropriate touching by Tucker. Feb. 12: Massage therapists address industry stigma The Sun reported on how massage therapists were reacting to the allegations against Tucker. Several industry professionals spoke about the negative sexualized stigma sometimes associated with massage therapy. “Massage therapists are dedicated healthcare professionals who uphold high standards of ethics, training, and client care,” the American Massage Therapy Association said in a statement to The Baltimore Sun. “Their role in promoting health and wellness should never be overshadowed by the misconduct of individuals who violate professional boundaries.” Feb. 16: Additional allegations against Tucker The number of allegations against Tucker grew to 16, according to Baltimore Banner reports. All of the allegations were cited as occurring between 2012 and 2016 in the Baltimore area. Feb. 26: NFL investigators are in Baltimore The Baltimore Sun reported that NFL investigators were in Baltimore speaking with some of Tucker’s accusers. It’s unclear what possible penalty Tucker might face from the league for his alleged behavior. On the same day, Tucker and his wife, Amanda, were quoted in an article from Outkick about the allegations. It was the first, and only, time Amanda Tucker has publicly spoken about the allegations against her husband. “The false allegations against Justin have caused so much hurt to our family. I believe my husband, and I love and support him fully,” Amanda Tucker said in a statement to Outkick. March 30: Team president speaks Ravens president Sashi Brown discussed the allegations against Tucker at the NFL’s annual owners meetings, including sharing broad support for women who speak out against sexual misconduct. “The nature of these allegations we take very seriously,” Brown said in late March. “These investigations do take time. “That’s never satisfying to anybody involved, probably including Justin and certainly the folks who made the allegations very public. But this is an issue generally as a society in terms of women making claims that takes a lot of courage and bravery, and frankly as a society, we haven’t gotten right for too long.” Justin Tucker, left, and Ravens coach John Harbaugh share a moment after a game against the Browns in 2016. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff file) April 1: NFL won’t offer investigation updates At the annual league meetings, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made clear there would not be periodic updates given publicly about the investigation into Tucker. “I know the review is ongoing,” Goodell said. “We won’t be giving updates, but when we have something, we’ll certainly share something with you.” April 26: Ravens draft kicker Baltimore drafted Arizona’s Tyler Loop in the sixth round of the NFL draft. Loop, who made a career-long 62-yard kick in 2024, was viewed as one of the top college kickers available in the draft. Loop made 18 of his 23 field goals this past season, including going 6-for-9 from beyond 50 yards. Tucker missed five of his 11 kicks from beyond 50 yards last season. May 4: Harbaugh addresses Tucker’s future After the Ravens’ rookie minicamp, Harbaugh suggested any decision related to Tucker would focus solely on his ability as a kicker. Baltimore’s coach, who had a close relationship with Tucker during the kicker’s time with the franchise, spoke about the uncertainty of the ongoing NFL investigation into Tucker. “From the standpoint of the investigation, we don’t know anything,” Harbaugh said. “So you can’t make any decisions based on that. Every decision we make has to be based on football. There’s a lot of layers to that.” He then lauded praise on his rookie kicker, Loop. “The way the ball comes off his foot is impressive,” Harbaugh said. May 5: Ravens release Tucker A day later, Baltimore announced it had released Tucker. “Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances. Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker,” DeCosta said in a statement. Baltimore didn’t mention the allegations against Tucker in its statement about the kicker’s release. The NFL’s investigation into Tucker is ongoing. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

Longtime Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was released by the team Monday, months after more than a dozen local massage therapists alleged sexual misconduct against the NFL star. Some reactions to his departure have included criticism of the team’s messaging that emphasized the positive and ignored the negative. “Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances. Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in Monday’s statement. “Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history. His reliability, focus, drive, resilience and extraordinary talent made him one of the league’s best kickers for over a decade. We are grateful for Justin’s many contributions while playing for the Ravens. We sincerely wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter of their lives.“ An anonymous massage therapist who previously spoke to The Baltimore Sun about her experience with Tucker deferred to the attorney representing her and at least 11 other massage therapists. “Our clients’ experiences were extremely traumatic. While have no comment on the decision to release Mr. Tucker, the continued lack of acknowledgment of these experiences is profoundly disappointing,” attorney Michael Belsky, who represents at least 12 of the massage therapists, wrote in a statement to The Baltimore Sun on Monday. Clare Locke, an Alexandria-based law firm known for handling reputation defense cases whom Tucker hired earlier this year, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday, though the kicker has previously denied any wrongdoing. Some in sports media questioned the tone of DeCosta’s statement. ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes asked on X if the “fawning” tone was necessary, posting that it “ben[t] over backwards to praise the incredible resilience of a guy accused by 16 different women of sexual misconduct.” Jared Dubin, an NFL analyst for CBS, wrote that the statement seemingly contradicted the Raven’s “zero-tolerance policy,” although it became apparent earlier this year that the team’s policy is informal, with each incident being taken on a case by case basis. “The Ravens want to make very sure that you know they’re not actually sticking to their self-professed organizational zero-tolerance policy and they’re only releasing Justin Tucker because he sucked last year,” Dubin said in an X post responding to the statement. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey gave an inscrutable response to the news that his teammate was let go, leaving four “thinking face” emojis in a post on X. The Ravens’ statement was likely trying to “reduce the offensiveness” of releasing Tucker from the team amid the allegations “by stressing good traits” he and the Ravens shared before the allegations became public said Towson University’s Juan Liu, an assistant professor of public relations, in an email to The Sun. “This is a very popular and common crisis response strategy that has been used by many sport organizations,” Liu said. Related Articles Ravens release Justin Tucker, calling it a ‘football decision,’ amid NFL investigation READER POLL: What factor most led the Ravens to cut Justin Tucker? Mike Preston: The Ravens cut Justin Tucker. There are no winners. | COMMENTARY Is Justin Tucker’s time with Ravens nearing an end? Coach John Harbaugh provides insight. Ravens draft kicker for first time amid Justin Tucker uncertainty NFL on investigation into Ravens’ Justin Tucker: ‘Won’t be giving updates’ Ravens president on Justin Tucker’s accusers: ‘A lot of courage and bravery’ Protecting Justin Tucker: Ravens kicker hires law firm for those facing ‘high-profile reputational attacks’ Ravens’ Justin Tucker expresses empathy for accusers in new statement denying allegations Despite the standing zero-tolerance policy, the Ravens recently drafted another player with sexual assault allegations against him. Newly drafted edge rusher Mike Green has twice been accused of sexual assault, with accusations stemming from his high school days and from his time at University of Virginia. Though other teams reportedly had taken Green off their draft boards, DeCosta said he was “comfortable” using the 59th pick on the player after meeting with him. Green has denied the allegations. The general manager spoke directly to those concerned about the pick, seeming not to mince words. “We investigated this situation very thoroughly,” DeCosta said on April 26. “He’s a talented player. We understand the severity of what these allegations were, of course. But doing our due diligence, we are comfortable with Mike.” Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks. View the full article

Some days, there appear to be no winners, even in the world of sports. The Ravens released kicker Justin Tucker on Monday, amid an NFL investigation into allegations from more than a dozen female massage therapists accusing him of sexual misconduct at several Baltimore-area spas and wellness centers. Tucker had denied any wrongdoing, and the team did not cite the allegations in its statement about cutting ties with their longest-tenured player. Tucker loses because his family and reputation are involved, not including a possible nomination to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Ravens don’t win because they are losing perhaps the greatest kicker of all time. Even the massage therapists don’t win because of the hostility they have surely faced by coming forward with their stories. That had to be difficult. Are there any winners? I don’t see any. The Ravens had to make a decision on Tucker, and they probably already had word from NFL officials that he was likely to face a suspension. Just a day ago, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said, “From the standpoint of the investigation, we don’t know anything. So you can’t make any decision based on that. Every decision we make has to be based on football.” Surely, word about the outcome of the NFL’s investigation into Tucker and the evidence it has accumulated has trickled down — that’s how the league works. It always wants to control the narrative. The team gave us a clue late last month when they drafted Arizona’s Tyler Loop in the sixth round — the first kicker to be drafted in Ravens history. It was viewed more as an insurance policy, but it was a strong indication. There has been no official conclusion of the investigation conducted by the NFL, and maybe Tucker, an undrafted free agent signed out of Texas in 2012, can sign on with another team. His reputation, though, is already soiled. Regardless of whether the accusations are true, they will follow him for the rest of his life. There is great sympathy for his wife and son. The same feeling holds true for the Ravens and this organization, not just because of Tucker’s Hall of Fame-level accuracy, but because he was an integral part of this team. Tucker was a face for this team, almost as much as former owner and the late Art Modell, current owner Steve Bisciotti and Ozzie Newsome, the team’s vice president of player personnel and longtime former general manager. Tucker participated in the team’s annual Holiday Helpers event, served Thanksgiving Day meals and served as host of the annual Goodwill Gridiron Halloween Party. He was a man of and about Baltimore, even singing opera and playing a psychiatrist on Royal Farms commercials. No player in Ravens history has appeared in more commercials than Tucker, once a marketer’s dream. Now, let’s talk about the accuracy of his kicks — his performance, after all, is what the Ravens cited as the reason for cutting Tucker. Before this season, Tucker had made 395 of 438 field goals during the regular season and 18 of 22 in the postseason. That’s 90.2% in the regular season and 81.9% in the postseason. In the playoffs, Tucker converted on all of his field goals in five of seven years. He earned — and deserved — the nickname, Mr. Automatic. Will he get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Yes, because if any of the Hall of Fame selections were based on poor character issues, there wouldn’t be many enshrined at Canton, Ohio. As for the massage therapists, they have regained some integrity, but it had to be difficult and painful to recount those allegations against Tucker. We know the NFL investigators spoke to some of them. Those stories had to be tough to recount. Related Articles Ravens release Justin Tucker, calling it a ‘football decision,’ amid NFL investigation Is Justin Tucker’s time with Ravens nearing an end? Coach John Harbaugh provides insight. Ravens draft kicker for first time amid Justin Tucker uncertainty NFL on investigation into Ravens’ Justin Tucker: ‘Won’t be giving updates’ Ravens president on Justin Tucker’s accusers: ‘A lot of courage and bravery’ Protecting Justin Tucker: Ravens kicker hires law firm for those facing ‘high-profile reputational attacks’ Ravens’ Justin Tucker expresses empathy for accusers in new statement denying allegations “Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker. Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history. His reliability, focus, drive, resilience and extraordinary talent made him one of the league’s best kickers for over a decade. We are grateful for Justin’s many contributions while playing for the Ravens. We sincerely wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter of their lives.” The words are sincere and show an appreciation for Tucker. Regardless of what has happened in the past, it’s time for this city to move on. It’s going to be hard because Tucker had such a dominant presence here in Baltimore. In time, we will hear more about the allegations, and the NFL will conclude its investigation and shed light on what it found. But for right now, there just aren’t any winners. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Justin Tucker was the Ravens' longest-tenured player, starting his career with Baltimore in 2012. (Kim Hairston/Staff file) View the full article

The Ravens say releasing longtime kicker Justin Tucker was a football decision, made before the NFL finished investigating misconduct allegations against him. A five-time All-Pro and one of the best kickers in NFL history, Tucker, 35, spent all 13 seasons with Baltimore. He’s now being released after a career-worst 2024 season. What do you think was the reason for the team’s move? Can’t see the poll? Click here to vote. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. Related Articles Mike Preston: The Ravens cut Justin Tucker. There are no winners. | COMMENTARY Ravens release Justin Tucker, calling it a ‘football decision,’ amid NFL investigation Is Justin Tucker’s time with Ravens nearing an end? Coach John Harbaugh provides insight. Ravens draft kicker for first time amid Justin Tucker uncertainty NFL on investigation into Ravens’ Justin Tucker: ‘Won’t be giving updates’ Related Articles Mike Preston: The Ravens cut Justin Tucker. There are no winners. | COMMENTARY Ravens release Justin Tucker, calling it a ‘football decision,’ amid NFL investigation READER POLL: Will the Orioles have a winning record in May? Ravens roundtable: Grading draft, picking surprise rookies and more Ravens rookie Mike Green declines to discuss past sexual assault allegations View the full article

Justin Tucker’s career as a Raven has come to a stunning end. Baltimore released its longtime kicker on Monday, more than three months after more than a dozen female massage therapists accused Tucker of acting inappropriately at several Baltimore-area spas and wellness centers. The NFL’s investigation into the allegations against him remains under review, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. “Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances. Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement Monday. “Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history. His reliability, focus, drive, resilience and extraordinary talent made him one of the league’s best kickers for over a decade. We are grateful for Justin’s many contributions while playing for the Ravens. We sincerely wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter of their lives.” Tucker, 35, had been the Ravens’ kicker since 2012, was one of the faces of the franchise and has long been considered one of the greatest kickers in the history of the sport and a likely Pro Football Hall of Fame selection. He has denied the allegations, calling them “unequivocally false,” in a lengthy statement that he posted on X after the first Baltimore Banner report in which six massage therapists said he exposed his genitals, brushed two of them with his exposed penis and left what was believed to be ejaculate on the massage table following three of his treatments, among other disturbing details. The alleged incidents took place between 2012 and 2016, according to the report, and led to Tucker allegedly being banned from two spas, Ojas and Studio 921. A Ravens spokesperson said following the initial report that the organization was aware of the Baltimore Banner’s story and that it takes “any allegations of this nature seriously” and would continue to “monitor the situation.” But after the initial story and Tucker’s subsequent denial, several more women came forward days later with strikingly similar accounts in another Baltimore Banner report. In that story, one of the accusers provided the outlet with a letter she said she shared with her employer in 2015 that said Tucker “made it a point in previous sessions to expose his erect genitals to me by untucking the drapes, regardless of how many times I have to redrape him and tell him he is messing up the drapes.” She also accused Tucker of running his fingers “along my inner thigh” and leaving a “large spot of ejaculation on my bottom sheet” where his genitals had been and signed the letter, which was also signed by someone she said was her supervisor. The NFL previously said it takes “any allegation seriously” and that it was looking into the matter, though that process can take months. The league’s personal conduct policy for players states that even if a case does not “rise to the level of criminal charges, players are held to a higher standard and could still face punishment, including suspension.” It also states that players could face punishment for “assault and/or battery, including sexual assault or other sex offenses.” In 2022, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended by the NFL for 11 games and fined $5 million after more than 20 women alleged that he committed sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions. Watson denied the allegations and reached confidential settlements with most of the accusers. That same year, Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked about Watson’s suspension, which was initially two games and then six games before an agreement on a longer period, and praised the organization’s “zero tolerance” policy for domestic violence that was put in place after video emerged of running back Ray Rice punching his future wife in an elevator in 2014. “We stayed away from that particular situation when we drafted players and signed free agents,” Harbaugh said then. “That’s [owner] Steve [Bisciotti’s’] decision, and I’m glad we have that policy.” The Ravens released Rice in 2014 after the video emerged, but in 2018 kept cornerback Jimmy Smith after he was suspended for four games after the NFL found evidence of “threatening and emotionally abusive behaviors” toward a former girlfriend that also displayed “a pattern of improper conduct.” Last year, wide receiver Zay Flowers did not face discipline from the league or the team after a police investigation into an alleged incident was suspended without any charges and team president Sashi Brown said last March there had been “no change” in the franchise’s “philosophy” and “approach” with regards to the policy. As for Tucker, the five-time All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowl selection and currently the most accurate kicker in NFL history (89.1%) was set to enter the second year of a four-year $24 million contract extension that he signed in August 2022. Related Articles READER POLL: Will the Orioles have a winning record in May? Ravens roundtable: Grading draft, picking surprise rookies and more Ravens rookie Mike Green declines to discuss past sexual assault allegations Ravens rookie OL Emery Jones Jr. to miss time with shoulder injury Is Justin Tucker’s time with Ravens nearing an end? Coach John Harbaugh provides insight. A Texas native and undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2012, Tucker quickly became a prominent figure on the field and off it. He made the game-winning field goal in the team’s “Mile High Miracle” playoff victory over the Broncos in Denver as a rookie and hit a 38-yard field goal that proved to be the margin of victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 47 that season. In 2021, he set an NFL record for the longest field goal with a 66-yarder as time expired to lift the Ravens to a 19-17 victory over the Detroit Lions. His 417 made field goals are also the most among active kickers and a franchise record, and his 1,775 points scored are also a franchise record and rank 16th all-time. Away from the game, he was omnipresent in the Baltimore area in advertisements for Royal Farms. The New York Times Magazine and “60 Minutes” profiled his operatic skills. He has talked about his faith and used his singing to raise funds for the Baltimore-based nonprofit Catholic Charities. But he also had his worst season in 2024, making a career-low 73.3% of his field goal attempts and missing two extra point attempts. Still, until the allegations surfaced, Baltimore had planned for Tucker to be its kicker next season. “I think he finished the season strong,” DeCosta said during the team’s season-ending news conference. “I think I have every expectation that Justin’s going to be a great kicker for us next year and moving forward.” This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Orioles did not have a good April. They were six games under .500 in the month, and after a 1-2 start to May, they are 13-20. Will the Orioles turn things around and have a winning month in May? We want to hear from you. After you vote, leave a comment and might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

After drafting 11 players and signing several more undrafted rookies in the hours and days following the three-day proceedings, the Ravens’ roster is starting to take shape. They have made other moves as well, most notably exercising the fifth-year option on safety Kyle Hamilton while declining center Tyler Linderbaum’s, primarily for financial reasons for now. Meanwhile, the fate of kicker Justin Tucker continues to linger with the NFL’s investigation into the numerous sexual misconduct allegations against the 35-year-old still ongoing and Baltimore drafting a kicker for the first time in the organization’s history. There are other questions as well. As rookie minicamp wraps up in Owings Mills, followed by voluntary organized team activities later this month and then mandatory minicamp in mid-June, Ravens reporter Brian Wacker, columnist Mike Preston, reporter Sam Cohn and editor C.J. Doon discuss how the Ravens fared in the draft, which rookie will have the biggest impact in 2025, who could surprise and more. What grade do you give the Ravens for their draft and why? Wacker: B+. The first-round pick of Georgia safety Malaki Starks was a no-brainer. Many teams had him as the top safety in the class, and his addition means the Ravens will be able to utilize fellow safety Hamilton in myriad ways, which should help stabilize if not turn the secondary into one of the best in the NFL again, much the way it was two seasons ago. From a pure football standpoint, Marshall edge rusher Mike Green was also a steal late in the second round — he’ll impact the pass rush immediately. The biggest question about him, of course, are the two previous sexual assault allegations against him. Ravens brass says it’s comfortable with its due diligence on him, however, and if that plays out accordingly and there are no off-the-field issues, alleged or otherwise, in the future, then the decision to take him when some teams took him off their board entirely could have them looking even smarter. Preston: To be fair, it wouldn’t make sense to provide a grade because it takes three, four and sometimes five years for a draft class to succeed. But the Ravens have been one of the best drafting teams in the NFL since moving to Baltimore for the start of the 1996 season, and that sums it up the best. I like the first three picks and believe Starks will contribute right away, as will Green, though he will be used sparingly, mostly in pass-rushing situations. As for LSU offensive tackle Emery Jones Jr., a third-round pick, he won’t start immediately but can become a nice “stop gap” player at either guard or tackle. Cohn: On paper and on the field, A-. Starks has all the makings of being an immediate contributor and a sky-high football IQ to a primary position of need. Green was a gamble considering his two previous sexual assault allegations, both of which he denied. From a football standpoint, he could be the biggest steal of the draft, but it’s disingenuous to focus solely on football with Green right now. The Ravens grabbed the best kicker in the draft, in light of the Tucker investigation; they addressed interior offensive lineman concerns on days two and three; and those who spent all season grinding tape postulate that fourth-round linebacker Teddye Buchanan and sixth-round defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles might both bring more to the table than their draft capital suggests. That’s because Buchanan was a late bloomer and Peebles surprised some scouts with his performance at the Senior Bowl. Doon: B. It’s hard to assign an overall grade with the pick of Green, who was a top-15 talent but was available at the end of the second round because of off-the-field concerns. On paper, it’s tremendous value. But the Ravens have to be confident in their evaluation of his background and character to make that commitment. If Starks is as good as the Ravens think he is, assigning him the coveted “red star” during their scouting process and being blown away by his football acumen, he’s the perfect option to help solidify the secondary. Related Articles Ravens rookie Mike Green declines to discuss past sexual assault allegations Ravens rookie OL Emery Jones Jr. to miss time with shoulder injury Is Justin Tucker’s time with Ravens nearing an end? Coach John Harbaugh provides insight. Ravens TE Isaiah Likely to host charity softball game at Ripken Stadium Ravens bolster offensive line by adding veteran free agent After the top two picks, it gets a little more interesting. By Arif Hasan’s consensus rankings, which compile the evaluations of 112 draft analysts, the Ravens “reached” for OT Jones (91 overall pick vs. 98 ranking), LB Buchanan (129 vs. 177), OT Carson Vinson (141 vs. 205), CB Bilhal Kone (178 vs. 188), WR LaJohntay Wester (203 vs. 279) and CB Robert Longerbeam (212 vs. 228). Baltimore’s track record suggests that it can evaluate players better than almost any other organization, but it was surprising to see a team that usually waits for top talent to fall be a little more aggressive with its selections. Choosing to wait until the sixth round to draft an interior defensive lineman — one under 300 pounds at that — was also a bit of a head-scratcher. Which rookie will have the biggest impact in 2025? Wacker: Green has perhaps the most upside because sacks are a glamorous and tangible statistic. After leading college football with 17 sacks and a high pressure rate last season to go with a solid bag of moves, it’s possible that he becomes something of a tour de force. But I still expect Starks to have the biggest impact and would not be surprised if he is starting alongside Hamilton with Ar’Darius Washington as the third man in the rotation pretty quickly. Preston: It will be Starks. Besides quarterback, the unwritten rule in the NFL is that all first-round players have to play right away. Starks should allow the team to put Hamilton near the line of scrimmage again, and that’s where Hamilton becomes an impact player. He is an outstanding tackler, which makes him a threat against the running game and one of the team’s best pass rushers, especially when going against a running back one-on-one. Hamilton has really quick and strong hands. As for Starks, he can play on the back end, and the Ravens won’t be as concerned as a year ago when they had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. Combined with No. 3 safety Washington, the Ravens can give opposing teams multiple looks and can put either of the three safeties over a lost receiver. Cohn: Starks and Green are probably the most likely answers. The former gives Zach Orr space to get creative with his secondary and the latter brings an NFL-ready deep bag of pass rush tricks. To zag slightly, I’ll say kicker Tyler Loop. If he’s the Week 1 starter, he’ll be, by nature, in a constant position to impact this team — for better or worse. Special teams coach Randy Brown canvassed the country seeking Tucker’s potential replacement. He got back to Baltimore and said, “Hey, Eric [DeCosta]. There’s one guy that I really covet. And it’s Loop.” Doon: It has to be either Starks or Green. If there were two things the Ravens desperately needed, it was another reliable player in the secondary to wash the taste of Marcus Williams, Eddie Jackson and Brandon Stephens out of their mouths and a pass rusher that could reliably win one-on-one matchups. Consider those boxes checked. I also wouldn’t rule out Jones beating out Andrew Vorhees for the starting left guard spot in training camp, so he has to be mentioned as well. Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester could be a surprise contributor for the Ravens as a Day 3 draft pick. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) What Day 3 draft pick is worth keeping an eye on? Wacker: The easy answer is Loop if the Ravens decide to part ways with Tucker. Leaving that uncertainty aside, Wester, a sixth-round receiver out of Colorado, could be interesting. He’s small (5-foot-10, 163 pounds) but has nice change-of-direction ability to go with good speed. Importantly, he also has extensive punt return experience and looks natural in the role, something that was missing from the Ravens last season and has been a point of emphasis by coach John Harbaugh in the offseason. Preston: The assumption here is Wester, one of the team’s five sixth-round picks. For the past two years, the Ravens’ returners have had problems being indecisive about when to return punts. Wester could ease that concern. He probably won’t get much playing time as a receiver, but in 2023, he averaged 19.9 yards on 14 returns with Florida Atlantic and averaged 12 yards on nine returns with Colorado last year. He might end up the No. 1 returner, but at least the team has options. Cohn: Wester. Don’t expect him to see any significant reps at receiver, barring an injury. But the Ravens shuffled around their returners, which is always a position at the front of Harbaugh’s mind. Wester had a pair of punt returns for touchdowns at Colorado, he’s slippery with the ball in his hands and needs only a sliver of daylight to show off that 4.46-second 40-yard dash time. He has a chance to contend for a regular returner role in 2025. Doon: I’ll cheat a little bit and say both Kone and Longerbeam. The Ravens need to find a long-term answer to pair with cornerback Nate Wiggins on the outside, and the jury is still out on either T.J. Tampa or Jalyn Armour-Davis becoming that player. Chidobe Awuzie was a smart veteran signing, but he’s likely just a one-year rental. The 6-1, 190-pound Kone has good size and speed and a willingness to be physical in run support, while the 5-11, 175-pound Longerbeam has intriguing athletic traits after running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and finishing tied among corners at the combine for the second-quickest 10-yard split. I think one of those two could sneak into the rotation by the end of the regular season. Don’t sleep on Dellinger getting in the mix in the guard battle, either. Were you surprised tight end Mark Andrews was not traded? Wacker: In short, no. The only way I saw him possibly getting dealt was if some tight end-desperate team who missed out on drafting Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland made an offer that included a second- or third-round pick. And if it was the latter, I’m still not sure that would have been enough. Andrews is an integral part of the offense and part of the heartbeat of the team, so to trade him away from a Super Bowl-caliber roster for a pick on a player who is more of an unknown doesn’t make any sense. Plus, why would a team get desperate when it’s possible he could be available in free agency next offseason? Preston: No. The Ravens dangled him around as trade bait, and there were no takers. As I’ve said before, Andrews was one of the hardest workers on and off the field in Baltimore’s brief history, and the Ravens weren’t going to get rid of the 29-year-old unless they got good compensation. Overall, he deserved better than to leave an organization where he has been an integral part since being drafted in the third round of 2018, but the NFL is all about business first and foremost. With young players like tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar competing with Andrews for more playing time, it made sense for the Ravens to put Andrews’ name out there as possible trade material. Tight end Mark Andrews is the Ravens' all-time touchdowns leader. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Cohn: Not necessarily. As my brilliant colleagues all mentioned, it would’ve taken a desperate team in the right conditions. Recency bias will have folks only remembering his fumble and nail-in-the-coffin goal line drop in Buffalo. Even if his numbers dipped slightly in 2024, he’s still the lifeblood of the locker room. Better to have a generally reliable future Ring of Honor tight end in a lesser role than a question mark. Doon: Mildly so. As Brian said, the cards had to fall a certain way for a team (looking at you, Los Angeles Chargers) to feel compelled enough to give up a decent draft pick. Even if the Ravens don’t feel confident in Andrews being a reliable part of their offense beyond this season, he’ll likely fetch a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere next offseason. I just thought that Andrews was expendable given his general lack of production and brutal playoff mistakes last year. Not to mention, this is a front office that is very forward-thinking and loves extra picks. While Likely is an ascending player who could step into Andrews’ role, it’s hard to put a price tag on Lamar Jackson’s comfort and chemistry with his favorite tight end. What area does Baltimore still need to address and get better in? Wacker: General manager Eric DeCosta said it himself: A big-body, run-stuffing defensive tackle. The lone defensive lineman Baltimore drafted (Peebles) is undersized for the position, so the veteran free agent market will be the next best option. The same could be said of depth pieces on the offensive line. Third-round tackle Jones helps on the right side behind Roger Rosengarten or possibly at guard, but fifth-round pick Vinson is a project who likely wouldn’t be ready if left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who has a long injury history, were to be sidelined for any length of time. Baltimore was the healthiest team in the NFL by a long way last season, but if any of the starting offensive linemen were to go down, there would be an immediate step back. That’s why the Ravens signed former Los Angeles Rams tackle Joe Noteboom on Saturday. Preston: The most glaring need is finding one or two defensive linemen, especially a big-bodied run stopper. The Ravens will look into free agency to fill those voids. They also need to find a starting weakside linebacker, even though Trenton Simpson is in the mix. He lost the top job midway through last season. The Ravens could use a cornerback to start opposite Nate Wiggins, and that would give them a surplus of players on the back end. Baltimore made a smart move by adding Noteboom, 29, but bringing in another veteran guard would add depth. Cohn: DeCosta was asked about his defensive-heavy draft. In his response, DeCosta said they were still missing “that big, wide-body-type guy” along the defensive line. It’s something we can reasonably expect the Ravens to address this summer, hoping to backfill the since-retired Michael Pierce with “street free agents.” The Ravens filled in at just about every other corner of the defense. Defensive line would be the one void. I’d add in linebacker, considering the uncertainty beside Roquan Smith. Simpson had a down year and there’s a chance Buchanan puts up a fight, but it’s an uncertainty worth monitoring as training camp approaches. Doon: With Pierce retiring, the Ravens have a 355-pound hole in the middle of the defensive line. Peebles is an intriguing player after standing out at the Senior Bowl, but he wins with quickness more than raw strength and isn’t a true nose tackle. So I’d be pretty surprised if a veteran run-stuffer isn’t brought in between now and the end of training camp. Linebacker is another spot that could use some depth after the Ravens signed special teamer Jake Hummel and drafted Buchanan. And while DeAndre Hopkins might still have something left in the tank, the offense suffered in the postseason without a healthy Zay Flowers. Another injury there could leave Baltimore perilously thin at pass catcher. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Ravens rookie edge rusher Mike Green said Sunday that it meant “a lot” to him that Baltimore selected him in the second round of last weekend’s NFL draft. He cited the organization’s “culture” and past defensive legends Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs and called landing with the team a “blessing in disguise.” The former Marshall standout, whom many projected to be a top-15 pick based on talent alone, also said it was difficult to have to wait until the second day of the draft to be chosen. “Of course it’s tough, just knowing that you have first-round potential and just knowing that, regardless what team you was going to go to, you just wanted a chance to go in the first round,” he said Sunday at the team’s rookie minicamp, his first comments to reporters since Baltimore selected him 59th overall just over a week ago. “That was a goal that I set for myself. Didn’t really get to get that goal, but coming to the Ravens was a blessing in disguise.” The reason that Green fell so far, however, is because of two previous sexual assault allegations against him. At the NFL scouting combine in February, Green said one accusation stemmed from high school and the other was from an “anonymous report” at the University of Virginia. He was suspended by the Cavaliers in 2022, he said, before he transferred to Marshall before the 2023 season. Green, who was not charged, denied the allegations at the combine and said he did “nothing wrong.” Asked again about those allegations on Sunday, he declined to elaborate on them. “I’m just focused right now on moving forward with my career at the Ravens,” he said. “I’m blessed to be here. It’s an honor, and I’m glad to see what the future might hold for me.” The past, of course, is a big reason why he ended up with the Ravens. Last week, NFL Network reported that several teams had taken Green off their draft boards entirely after his explanation for the allegations was “not satisfactory.” But Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta said he was “comfortable” with taking Green after meeting with him for 90 minutes during a predraft visit, and the organization did its due diligence on him. Ravens rookie edge rusher Mike Green practices during rookie minicamp on Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens rookie Mike Green spoke to local media for the first time on Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)A tattoo on Ravens rookie Mike Green reads “Stay Humble, Hustle Hard.” (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Show Caption1 of 3Ravens rookie edge rusher Mike Green practices during rookie minicamp on Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Expand “I would say that we investigated this situation very thoroughly,” DeCosta said after the second day of the draft. “We think he’s a talented player. We understand the severity of what these allegations were, of course, but doing our due diligence, we are comfortable with Mike. “I think the best is yet to come with him.” Related Articles Ravens rookie OL Emery Jones Jr. to miss time with shoulder injury Is Justin Tucker’s time with Ravens nearing an end? Coach John Harbaugh provides insight. Ravens TE Isaiah Likely to host charity softball game at Ripken Stadium Ravens bolster offensive line by adding veteran free agent Baltimore County man sues ex-Ravens star over alleged affair with his wife Green echoed similar sentiments. He also said that every team he met with asked him about the allegations and that he was “completely open” about everything. On the field, there have been few questions about Green’s ability. He led the country in sacks (17) last season and fulfills a need for the Ravens, with outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy having just turned 34, Odafe Oweh in the final year of his contract after a career-high 10 sacks last season and little proven depth behind them. Off it, Green said he has taken advantage of resources that helped him with the “mental aspect” as well, though he again did not share any details of the sexual assault allegations. “I got through it,” Green said, “and this point forward, I’m just focused on moving on with my career with the Ravens.” Have a news tip? Contact Bri”an Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Third-round draft pick Emery Jones Jr. was a limited participant on the first day of Ravens rookie minicamp because of a labrum injury in his shoulder. He was seen off to the side, going through individual drills without a helmet. The offensive tackle out of LSU might be out until training camp in July, coach John Harbaugh said. Jones will not fully practice “in the immediate future,” but the coach did not rule out Jones returning for mandatory minicamp next month. “I don’t think we’ll push it,” Harbaugh said. “If he can do it, we’ll do it. But I’m not thinking about pushing it.” Because of the injury, Jones was the only rookie who did not speak with local reporters on Sunday. He was also not made available the night he was drafted. On his phone call with general manager Eric DeCosta before Baltimore picked him, Jones said he would put it all on the line for the “honor” of blocking for two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson. Jones, at 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, is someone the Ravens view as a swing tackle. He played nearly every snap of his college career at right tackle. But there’s an easier path to early playing time in a three-point stance at guard, where scouts saw him practice ahead of the Senior Bowl. “[We’ll] just get a feel for him once he starts practicing, get a feel for where he can help us,” Harbaugh said after the second day of the draft last weekend. “We think he can play guard and tackle.” LSU coaches wanted to try Jones more at guard but felt he was too valuable at tackle opposite Will Campbell, the fifth pick by the New England Patriots. In Baltimore, with Patrick Mekari signing with Jacksonville and Josh Jones now in Seattle, Jones could compete with Andrew Voorhees to start at left guard. DeCosta admitted that he had to sweat out that third round. The Ravens’ draft room was eyeing Jones at No. 91. He didn’t want to trade up but felt the sweat pool on his forehead as other offensive linemen came off the board earlier in the round. Jones isn’t the only new swing tackle in Baltimore. On Saturday, the Ravens made official a one-year deal with 29-year-old free agent, Joseph Noteboom. Most of his career has been spent at left tackle, but Noteboom’s resume has a healthy mix of left guard. He’s played four of five positions among the offensive line across seven years with the Los Angeles Rams. “He’s in Baltimore now, so maybe we get five out of five,” Harbaugh joked. “To get Joseph Noteboom in here — veteran, played, talented guy, played both sides — really to focus probably as a swing tackle as much as anything for us. That’s kind of where we really need that veteran presence, as a swing tackle.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has continued to work out at the team’s facility in Owings Mills the past couple of weeks, coach John Harbaugh said Sunday at rookie minicamp. Whether that continues remains to be seen. While the NFL’s investigation into the voluminous sexual misconduct allegations by several massage therapists against Tucker continues, Harbaugh was asked about the potential awkward dynamic that would likely exist should Tucker and rookie kicker Tyler Loop both be on the field when the team gathers for voluntary organized team activities at the end of the month. “From the standpoint of the investigation, we don’t know anything,” Harbaugh said. “So you can’t make any decisions based on that. Every decision we make has to be based on football. There’s a lot of layers to that.” Tucker, 35, is the team’s longest-tenured player after signing with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He’s also the most accurate kicker in NFL history, holds the league record for longest field goal made (66 yards) and is the leading scorer in the organization’s history. The Ravens had never drafted a kicker before using a sixth-round pick last weekend to take Loop out of Arizona. It was a move Baltimore viewed as necessary given the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the investigation and the possibility of Tucker being suspended. Tucker is also coming off the worst year of his career, having made just 73% of his field goals last season. Sunday marked the first time that Loop had a chance to show off his leg to local reporters in practice. He was also joined by former Wyoming kicker John Hoyland, who received an invite to the Ravens’ and Denver Broncos’ rookie minicamps. Both kickers missed some field goal attempts during the nearly two-hour practice, but each has an impressive collegiate resume. Loop was an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection last season after converting 18 of 23 field goal attempts and setting a school record with a 62-yard field goal against Houston. For his career, he made 67 of 80 field goals (83.75%) to finish with the highest field goal percentage in school history. He was also the top kicker on senior special teams coach Randy Brown’s draft board. Related Articles Ravens rookie OL Emery Jones Jr. to miss time with shoulder injury Ravens TE Isaiah Likely to host charity softball game at Ripken Stadium Ravens bolster offensive line by adding veteran free agent Baltimore County man sues ex-Ravens star over alleged affair with his wife Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Is it a strong draft class? | COMMENTARY “It was good to see it,” Harbaugh said of Loop’s leg. “It was good to hear it. The way the ball comes off his foot is impressive.” Hoyland was an honorable mention All-Mountain West pick for the Cowboys last season after converting on 15 of 19 field goals, which included making 14 of 15 from inside 50 yards. His season-long was from 54 yards against Boise State, and he finished his career with a school-record 366 career points. As for Tucker? The Ravens’ first voluntary OTAs will take place May 27-29, so it’s possible the team could make a decision by then. If they release Tucker, they’d almost certainly do so with a post-June 1 designation, which would save $4.2 million in salary cap space. “All the different things that you take into consideration, whatever we decide to do in the next few weeks will be based on football,” Harbaugh said. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. The Ravens last weekend used a draft pick on a kicker — Tyler Loop — for the first time. (Charlie Riedel/AP file) View the full article

The Ravens are coming to Aberdeen to play ball. Softball that is. The “Isaiah Likely Softball Slam” will be held June 1 at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium to benefit Special Olympics Maryland. The game will feature a showdown between the Ravens’ offensive and defensive players and include TV and radio personalities from WBAL-TV, 98 Rock, and WBAL NewsRadio. It’s not yet clear which players are participating. Tickets, ranging from $15 to $80 for autograph alley rows, are on sale via the Aberdeen IronBirds website and box office, with limited VIP tickets also available. “I am very excited to launch this charity softball game as it is a great opportunity to spend time with my teammates, while also raising money for Special Olympics Maryland,” Likely said in a news release. “Ravens fans are the best fans in the NFL, and I know we will enjoy another opportunity to interact with them, have some fun on the softball field and raise important funds. It will be an awesome summer day.” Likely, a 2022 fourth-round draft pick out of Coastal Carolina, is entering his fourth season with the Ravens. He’s recorded 108 catches for 1,261 yards in 49 games, including a career-high 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns last season. Ripken Stadium is the current home of the IronBirds, the High-A minor league affiliate of the Orioles, although questions remain about the future of the franchise in Harford County. In October, Cal Ripken Jr. and his brother, Billy, sold their majority stake of the team to Attain Sports. The club and the City of Aberdeen have been sparring over revenue. Unrivaled Sports, co-founded by Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris, owns Ripken Baseball and would be interested in expanding a new multi-purpose development for the stadium site, including additional athletic fields, a hotel, retail space and a parking garage. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. Related Articles Ravens bolster offensive line by adding veteran free agent Baltimore County man sues ex-Ravens star over alleged affair with his wife Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Is it a strong draft class? | COMMENTARY Ravens will get new alternate uniforms, but it’ll be a long wait READERS RESPOND: Here’s how fans graded the Ravens’ draft View the full article

The Ravens continued to add depth to their offensive line on Saturday. Veteran offensive tackle Joseph Noteboom agreed on a contract with Baltimore, the team announced. Terms were not disclosed. Noteboom, 29, was a third-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 and appeared in 71 games (35 starts) during that span. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound lineman has also been injury prone. Named a starter at left guard in 2019 after spending his rookie season as a backup, Noteboom tore his ACL and MCL in Week 6 and missed the rest of the year. The following season, he was limited to 10 games because of a calf injury. In 2021, he appeared in all 17 regular-season games. He also won a Super Bowl, with the Rams defeating the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium. Noteboom then signed a three-year, $40 million extension and started at left tackle after Andrew Whitworth retired but suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 6, again ending his season. He returned for 14 games in 2023 but last season was limited to four games after suffering an ankle injury in Week 1. Noteboom has also been inconsistent with his pass blocking the past few seasons, giving up 11 sacks, per Pro Football Focus, since 2022 after allowing just one in a full season in 2021. He does, however, provide versatility, with 1,234 career snaps at left tackle, 494 at left guard, 444 at right tackle and 180 at right guard. His addition fills a need as well. Versatile left guard Patrick Mekari, who played all five positions during his tenure with Baltimore, signed a three-year, $37.5 million free agent deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, while reserve tackle Josh Jones signed a one-year, $4.8 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. The Ravens also added three offensive lineman through the draft, using a third-round pick on tackle Emery Jones Jr., who could also potentially play guard, a fifth-round pick on developmental tackle Carson Vinson and a seventh-round pick on guard Garrett Dellinger. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Baltimore County man sues ex-Ravens star over alleged affair with his wife Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Is it a strong draft class? | COMMENTARY Ravens will get new alternate uniforms, but it’ll be a long wait READERS RESPOND: Here’s how fans graded the Ravens’ draft Ravens’ Malaki Starks wows former pros: ‘Smartest young guy I ever met’ View the full article

A Baltimore County man is suing former Ravens wide receiver and NFL Network analyst Steve Smith Sr. for allegedly having an affair with his wife. In the suit, reported by the Charlotte Observer and filed in Mecklenburg Superior Court in North Carolina on Monday, Antonio Martinez accused Smith of having an affair with his wife, Nicole Martinez, a member of Baltimore’s Marching Ravens, between October 2024 and February 2025. Martinez filed the suit under North Carolina’s “alienation of affection act,” also known as a “homewrecker law,” that enables a spouse to sue someone who breaks up their marriage. He is seeking $100,000 in damages from Smith, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the Carolina Panthers. Only six states have homewrecker laws on the books, including Hawaii, New Mexico and North Carolina. Smith first met Martinez’s wife when he visited Baltimore in September 2024 to film a segment of his show “NFL’s Most Interesting Jobs,” in which he joined the Marching Ravens during a game, according to the suit. Martinez wrote that while filming the segment, Smith arranged for an NFL agent to give his phone number to Martinez’s wife. Over the next six months, Martinez says that Smith and his wife kept in close contact, calling and exchanging sexual messages, and meeting in person on one occasion. After his wife confessed to the affair, Martinez says he confronted Smith over the phone, asking him what he had to say for himself, to which Smith responded, “I’m sorry.” Martinez filed for divorce from his wife in Baltimore County in February. Have a news tip? Contact Mathew Schumer at mschumer@baltsun.com, 443-890-7423 and on X as @mmmschumer. View the full article

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will answer fans’ questions throughout the Ravens’ offseason. Here’s Preston’s take on a handful of questions from readers: (Editor’s note: Questions have been edited for length and clarity.) What is your overall assessment of the Ravens’ 2025 draft? Good? Bad? I know it will take several years to know for sure. — Bob in NC When I first got into this business almost 40 years ago, I thought it was a great thing to give out a report card grade, especially if a team filled every major need. I was wrong. After being around a team like the Ravens for so long, it really takes three to four years, sometimes even a fifth to provide an accurate assessment. With that said, I like the first three picks. Malaki Starks, the first round safety out of Georgia, was a great selection and he can only help one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL a year ago get better. The Ravens gambled selecting edge rusher Mike Green out of Marshall in the second round, but that happens, especially for a team that might be a player or two away from participating in the Super Bowl. I love him teaming up with Chuck Smith, the team’s pass rushing coach. With his ability and motor combined with Smith’s knowledge, Green could become special. LSU offensive tackle Emery Jones Jr. was a third-round pick, and he will add depth to an offensive line that needs help. As for the others, or the eight other picks, they are more fill-ins and special teams players. That’s not an insult, but actually a compliment to a team which has good overall talent. As usual, there are some projects like offensive linemen Garrett Dellinger (seventh round, LSU), Carson Vinson (fifth round, Alabama A&M), and cornerback Bilhal Kone (sixth round, Western Michigan), but there might be some players who can help right away like linebacker Teddye Buchanan (fourth round, California), receiver LaJohntay Wester (sixth round, Colorado) and placekicker Tyler Loop (sixth round, Arizona). To be fair, it wouldn’t make sense to provide a grade but the Ravens have been one of the best drafting teams in the NFL since moving to Baltimore for the start of the 1996 season. That pretty much says it all. What do you think is the reason for the dramatic drop of Shedeur Sanders in the draft? — Bob in NC I’m not privy to all the information that goes to all the front office personnel of the 32 NFL teams, but it seems consistent from all published reports that Sanders might have overplayed his hand as far as arrogance in dealing with top executives. That’s pretty consistent with the attitude his father displayed for years when he was the best cornerback in the NFL. Related Articles Ravens will get new alternate uniforms, but it’ll be a long wait READERS RESPOND: Here’s how fans graded the Ravens’ draft Ravens’ Malaki Starks wows former pros: ‘Smartest young guy I ever met’ Mike Preston: Ravens still need help in the trenches | COMMENTARY Ravens make fifth-year option decisions on Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum I covered Deion Sanders when he played for the Ravens during the 2004-2005 season. I think he is a good guy and reminds me of former Ravens Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis. They are pretty reserved, but once that red light goes on from the TV cameras, they change. This is just an assumption, but when you’re Deion Sanders and Ray Lewis, they could back it up. I’ve never put Shedeur in that class, and few players seldom are. Maybe this entire falling in the draft episode humbled him and I’m sure it will serve as motivation. I wish the kid well. There’s the incumbent Trenton Simpson, and this offseason the Ravens signed Jake Hummel and drafted Teddye Buchanan along with signing UDFAs like Jay Higgins. Do you think one of those linebackers will be lining up next to Roquan Smith in the opening game of the season, or do you expect a veteran to still be added at some point in summer? — Paul in Orlando Paul, the Ravens will do whatever is necessary. They’ll bring in a couple of veterans or street free agents to compete in training camp, and if they can’t find a capable running mate for Smith, they’ll make a trade a game or two into the preseason. With Green, they added some fresh legs and blood at outside linebacker, and Simpson might be able to fill the void now after playing poorly early last season. But the Ravens will find a capable player. It’s a weak link on defense and they also need to find a cornerback to start opposite of second-year player Nate Wiggins. Overall, this team is in pretty good shape. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Fans clamoring for a new Ravens uniform can mark their calendars. Nike and the NFL announced a uniform and fan gear program called “Rivalries” that will debut this season. The uniforms will be worn during a single home game against a division rival and will be included in the team’s lineup for three years after introduction. The program is similar to the concept of “City Connect” uniforms in MLB, with “designs rooted extensively in local community insights,” the NFL said in a news release. The first wave begins in 2025 with teams from the AFC East (Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets) and NFC West (Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks). Teams from the AFC South and NFC North will debut their Rivalries uniforms in 2026, followed by NFC East and AFC West teams in 2027 and teams from the AFC North and NFC South in 2028. So Baltimore, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, will be one of the last teams to join the party. Last year, the Ravens debuted their “Purple Rising” alternate uniforms and helmet, which they wore for a home “Thursday Night Football” game against the Bengals. The team plans to wear those again at some point this upcoming season, likely during another home prime-time game. The 2025 NFL schedule will be unveiled on May 14. “Players were excited about them, fans loved it and we won, which also matters when you roll these things out,” said team president Sashi Brown, who noted at the league’s owners meetings last month that Baltimore’s regular home and away jerseys will not be changing anytime soon. “We feel like we have really classic jerseys, and I think the team did a great job when we’ve had some minor modifications,” Brown said. “We’re really cautious about making changes, something that we think really works well.” Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. Related Articles READERS RESPOND: Here’s how fans graded the Ravens’ draft Ravens’ Malaki Starks wows former pros: ‘Smartest young guy I ever met’ Mike Preston: Ravens still need help in the trenches | COMMENTARY Ravens make fifth-year option decisions on Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum Way-too-early look at Ravens depth chart following 2025 draft View the full article

We asked readers how they would grade the Ravens’ draft. Here are the results from our online poll: A — 54% (147 votes) B — 36% (100 votes) C — 7% (19 votes) D — 1% (4 votes) F — 1% (3 votes) E — <1% (1 vote) Here’s what some fans have told us about the team (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar): Only missed on a true run stopper. — Bill Sawers Ravens always draft well. — Keith Butler It was a typical Ravens draft. They stuck to the board. It can’t be compared to the first draft. Mike Green will make or break this class. Starks will be as predicted … All-Pro. — K.O.A. The Ravens were one of only six teams out of 32 with 11 picks out of the 257 players in the seven rounds this year. Their odds of picking some gems are the highest! — Robin Ficker The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To see results from previous sports polls, go to baltimoresun.com/sportspoll View the full article

Malaki Starks makes quite the first impression. When the Ravens drafted the Georgia safety with the 27th pick in the NFL draft, general manager Eric DeCosta said that Starks had one of the most impressive combine interviews he’d ever seen. Coach John Harbaugh was smitten by tape of do-it-all secondary help. And when defensive coordinator Zach Orr saw Starks’ athleticism up close for the first time, he thought, “no way he’s going to get to 27.” That wasn’t all. It wasn’t just Baltimore’s decision makers who were sold on Starks’ potential right away. “When I first met him — I deal with so many young men that are in their early 20s — a lot of times you say, ‘They just got a little maturing to do. They just gotta be a little more process driven,’” said former NFL wideout turned trainer, Yo Murphy. “With Malaki, it wasn’t like that. “You got a guy that has that type of athletic ability but really thinks through and wants to know everything about his body, everything about performance. He wants to be great.” Murphy trains out of a state-of-the-art facility in Tampa, Florida. Each spring, he’ll bring in, at most, 24 athletes to help prepare for the NFL draft. Starks was deemed a good fit (as was Western Michigan cornerback Bilhal Kone, the Ravens’ sixth-round selection). They spent about seven weeks together in the build-up to the NFL scouting combine. Because all those soon-to-be-draftees were still recovering from the end of their respective seasons and the stretch of preparation work can be demanding without ample recovery time, Murphy is careful about putting every athlete on a shot clock. Murphy wanted to give Starks “small bites of the apple.” Starks wanted to show up at 5 a.m. for extra work before the other 23 prospects arrived for 6 a.m. lift. “As long as he knows it’s a benefit and how it’s going to benefit,” Murphy said, “that kid will do anything.” That’s essentially how his Georgia career played out. Starks was a freshman on the Bulldogs’ 2022 national championship team. At that point, a large share of his playing time came at deep safety. That’s how coach Kirby Smart first envisioned deploying him. Starks was called on to shift around to the slot and into the box out of necessity. The past two years in Athens, he shined as a multi-faceted defender, capable of stopping the long ball or sticking his nose in the backfield. Malaki Starks working with Tampa-based trainer Yo Murphy. The Ravens' first-round pick routinely got up at 5 a.m. to meet Murphy for one-on-one work before his fellow draft prospects arrived. (Courtesy: Hunter Brandon)Malaki Starks spent seven weeks in Tampa, Florida preparing for the NFL Draft. One former NFL veteran called him, "the smartest young guy I ever met.” (Courtesy: Hunter Brandon)Show Caption1 of 2Malaki Starks working with Tampa-based trainer Yo Murphy. The Ravens' first-round pick routinely got up at 5 a.m. to meet Murphy for one-on-one work before his fellow draft prospects arrived. (Courtesy: Hunter Brandon)Expand In 2024, Starks played 400 snaps at deep safety, 271 in the slot and 215 in the box, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s a tad undersized at 6-foot-1, 197 pounds, which he masks with a sprinting background (10.55 seconds in the 100-meter dash in high school, 4.50 40-yard dash) and the smarts to be a versatile puzzle piece. For Murphy, that meant honing in on the details of athletic movements that apply more broadly to various positions around the secondary. He had to get creative in putting Starks and the other defensive backs in uncomfortable positions, like having them run routes alongside receivers to stress linear movement, contrasting the backpedaling he’s accustomed to. Starks won’t be tasked to run routes in Baltimore. But his new coaches, less than 24 hours after submitting the pick, were already giddy to game plan how he can help. “I ran into Coach [Harbaugh] this morning,” Orr said, sounding more excited with each word. “We were already talking about all the different ways how he adds to our defense, man, and we talk about the advantage that we feel like we have here in Baltimore is being positionless. And that’s all over the field, but especially with our secondary. He helps create an advantage for us and a disadvantage to the offense.” Earlier this year, Starks was wrapping up a workout in Tampa when Antoine Winfield Sr. stopped by. Murphy made the introduction, then gave the two some space to connect. They had known each other for all of 90 seconds, Murphy made it only a few steps away, and the 21-year-old was already peppering the three-time Pro Bowl defensive back about his process. “I could hear him asking questions,” Murphy said, “like, ‘What’s the hardest thing about your position?’ Or, ‘What do you do to prepare?’” Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens still need help in the trenches | COMMENTARY Ravens make fifth-year option decisions on Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum Way-too-early look at Ravens depth chart following 2025 draft READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? Ravens draft by the numbers: One stat to know about all 11 picks Starks did the same thing when meeting former Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, Murphy said. The first trait folks notice in Starks is his inquisitiveness and his attention to detail. He wants to learn, wants to grow. And his football GPA, DeCosta said, is “very, very high.” Murphy has been in this business a while. He’s trained many pros. He considers cornerback Logan Ryan to be one of the smartest. Ryan played 11 seasons in the NFL (2013 to 2023), winning a pair of Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots. Even in retirement, Ryan still comes around to lend a hand with Murphy’s predraft crew. After his first day in Tampa with select members of this draft class, Ryan walked out of the room and told Murphy, “He’s the smartest young guy I ever met.” Ryan isn’t the friendliest in the room. He doesn’t say that kind of thing just to say it for sake of being nice. From him, that praise carries weight. Even Murphy was taken aback to hear the word “brilliant” come out of Ryan’s mouth about a prospect who hasn’t played a snap in the NFL yet. “His maturity, professionalism and his approach,” Murphy said, “his interviewing me about where he’s gonna train, just showed a lot about him.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

The Ravens added bulk and depth over the weekend during the annual NFL draft, but it remains to be seen if any of the linemen (three offensive and one defensive) will have an immediate impact. The NFL season can be long and grueling, especially if a team is fortunate enough to play in the Super Bowl. Coaching legend Bill Belichick, now at the University of North Carolina, always said that a team can never have enough defensive linemen. The Ravens have seven on the roster, and one of those is undersized Aeneas Peebles, a 6-foot, 282-pound defensive tackle taken in the sixth round out of Virginia Tech. Peebles might have been a better option in years past, but 6-foot, 345-pound run-stopping nose guard Michael Pierce retired over a month ago, leaving the Ravens with one player — 6-4, 325-pound Travis Jones — in that class. The position is also brutal on the body because of the constant double teams and angle blocking. Jones suffered an ankle injury in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wasn’t quite the same for the rest of the season. Peebles might help in passing situations because of his quickness, but the Ravens still need another big body up front. “I think we got some great football players at important positions, guys that can make plays on the football, guys who can get to the quarterback,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said. “I think that’s great, and probably the one thing we couldn’t do is get that big wide-body-type guy, and I think that’s something that we’ll assess and address after the draft, and we’re already starting to talk about that, so we’re aware of that. “Yes, just a big first- and second-down run-stuffing type of guy. We had a couple of guys late that got picked in late [rounds] in the draft that we were targeting potentially, and they got picked. But I think we do have some options with street free agents.” The same can be said about the three offensive linemen chosen over the weekend. Offensive tackle Emery Jones Jr. was a solid choice taken in the third round out of LSU, but offensive tackle Carson Vinson was a fifth-round selection from Alabama A&M and LSU guard Garrett Dellinger was a seventh-round pick. At least with Jones, he could be a stop-gap player filling in for a couple of games, but Vinson and Dellinger are basically projects who might end up on the practice squad. Jones gives the Ravens options. He can play either guard or tackle, even though the transition is tough for a player who has been on the right or left side his entire career. Jones, though, is a mauler who fits the Ravens’ criteria of being versatile. Baltimore also signed left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a three-year, $60 million contract before free agency began. He played well in 2024 after rebuilding the lower half of his body during the offseason, but there will always be questions about him being injury-prone after missing 36 regular-season games from 2020 to 2023 because of ankle and knee ailments. So, if Stanley goes down, the Ravens could move second-year right tackle Roger Rosengarten to the left side, but do they insert right guard Daniel Faalele back to his more natural position of right tackle, or do they put Jones in at right guard? Those are situations the Ravens can work out. A bigger question is if Andrew Vorhees can start at left guard in place of Patrick Mekari, who signed with the Jaguars as a free agent. Vorhees was a starter until he injured his ankle early in the season, and he never got back on the field after Mekari took over. The Ravens have fewer options among other starting offensive linemen outside of Ben Cleveland, the backup right guard. Vinson is 6-7 and 314 pounds. There have been others who have played in similar smaller conferences, but former Ravens such as center Wally Williams and the late Orlando Brown Sr. weren’t ready until after a couple of years in the league. Related Articles Ravens’ Malaki Starks wows former pros: ‘Smartest young guy I ever met’ Ravens make fifth-year option decisions on Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum Way-too-early look at Ravens depth chart following 2025 draft READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? Ravens draft by the numbers: One stat to know about all 11 picks Dellinger is a seventh-round pick, and that says it all. Every year, there are always questions about the Ravens’ interior lines, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Last year, the offensive line was in flux with Stanley coming back from injury, Vorhees and Faalele possibly starting at guard, and Rosengarten backing up an injury-prone Mekari. There are fewer questions this season, but they are still out there. The great neutralizer in all of this is quarterback Lamar Jackson, who can make an ineffective pass-blocking offensive line look much better. But even he might struggle more this season. The Ravens don’t have a big run stopper on defense, and they lack depth on the offensive line. Oh well, it’s business as usual for the Ravens. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Emery Jones Jr., shown at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in February, gives the Ravens options on their offensive line. (George Walker IV/AP file) View the full article

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton had one of the best seasons of any player at his position in the NFL last year. Now, he’ll get paid commensurately. Baltimore picked up the fifth-year option on Hamilton on Wednesday, the team said. Doing so means the 14th overall pick out of Notre Dame in 2022 will remain with the Ravens through at least the 2026 season. Picking up the option will cost $18.6 million, which for now would make him the third-highest paid safety in the league in terms of average annual value behind only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Antoine Winfield Jr. ($21.02 million) and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James ($19 million). The decision, which Baltimore had until Thursday to make, was expected. Hamilton was an All-Pro in 2023 and has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of the past two seasons. He’s also been the lynchpin to one of the league’s best defenses in that span and is one of the sport’s most versatile players, able to be deployed at deep safety, in the box and seemingly everywhere in between. Last season, he finished ninth in the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year voting after being the only defensive back in 2024 to finish with at least 100 tackles, an interception, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. Meanwhile, Baltimore did not pick up the fifth-year option on center Tyler Linderbaum. That decision was also not a major surprise, even with the 25th overall pick in 2022 being selected to each of the past two Pro Bowls. Picking it up would have cost the Ravens $23.4 million for 2026, or, put another way, the 2025 average of the top five offensive line salaries over the previous five years, a number that is high because of the value of offensive tackles. Currently, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey is the league’s highest-paid center at $18 million per season. By declining it, the two sides can instead try to work out a long-term extension. Related Articles Way-too-early look at Ravens depth chart following 2025 draft READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? Ravens draft by the numbers: One stat to know about all 11 picks 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 2025 draft Ravens draft grades: Analysts again give high marks — with notable caveat If they’re unable to reach an agreement by March, Baltimore could place the franchise tag on Linderbaum, which would cost $27.6 million, according to Over The Cap, and then pull the tag if they’re able to work out an extension. Another option would be the less-likely transition tag (projected $25 million), which would allow the Ravens to match any offer sheet that he signs with another team. Like Hamilton, Linderbaum has been integral to the Ravens’ success. He is the centerpiece of an offensive line that helped clear the way for the league’s top offense in 2024. Baltimore also last year became the first team to top 4,000 yards passing and 3,000 rushing in the same season last year. Said general manager Eric DeCosta in announcing the moves: “It is our intention for him to remain a Raven long term.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. The Ravens did not pick up the fifth-year option on center Tyler Linderbaum, but general manager Eric DeCosta said, &quot;It is our intention for him to remain a Raven long term.&quot; (Kevin Richardson/Staff) View the full article

With the draft behind them and the signing already of several undrafted free agents, the Ravens will next turn their attention to rookie minicamp (Saturday through Tuesday), the NFL schedule release (May 14), followed by voluntary organized team activities (May 27-29, June 3, June 5-6, June 9-12) and then mandatory minicamp (June 17-19) before players are dismissed until the start of training camp in late July. There’s a long way to go until Baltimore fills out its 53-man roster to start the season, but the truth is much of it has already begun to take shape, especially with few starting jobs expected to be open. That’s the reality of a Super Bowl-caliber roster. It’s a point that was further emphasized when general manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged that probably not all 11 draft picks would make the team. With that in mind, here’s a way-too-early look at the way the depth chart could shape up for now: (* denotes 2025 rookie) Quarterbacks: Lamar Jackson, Cooper Rush, Devin Leary Rush gives the Ravens the best backup quarterback they’ve had in a long time after he spent seven years with the Dallas Cowboys, who were 9-5 with him as a starter in games across three seasons. Running backs: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, Rasheen Ali Henry is in the final year of his two-year contract, has expressed interest in retiring in Baltimore, and the Ravens have likewise said they’d like to get a contract extension worked out after he finished second in the league in rushing last season. Fullback: Patrick Ricard The versatile sledgehammer of the Ravens’ offense returned on a one-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $2.87 million. Related Articles READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? Ravens draft by the numbers: One stat to know about all 11 picks 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 2025 draft Ravens draft grades: Analysts again give high marks — with notable caveat Ravens 2025 undrafted free agent tracker: Auburn DL, Rutgers DB added Wide receivers: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker, Anthony Miller, Keith Kirkwood, LaJohntay Wester*, Dayton Wade, Malik Cunningham The free-agent addition of Hopkins gives the Ravens much-needed quality depth. Wester, the sixth-round rookie out of Colorado, is small but a speedster who could push Wallace for the punt return job. Tight end: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Patrick Ricard, Zaire Mitchell-Paden Andrews was likely never getting traded, barring a desperate offer, a truth that became solidified when general manager Eric DeCosta finally and definitively said after Day 2 of the draft that he expects him to be on the team next season. Left tackle: Ronnie Stanley, Carson Vinson* The importance of re-signing Stanley before he had a chance to hit the free-agent market is even more glaring now. The Ravens likely would have significantly altered their draft plan if they hadn’t, though there are still depth concerns here with Vinson, a fifth-round pick out of Alabama A&M, dubbed a project. Left guard: Andrew Vorhees, Garrett Dellinger*, Corey Bullock Vorhees was the starter last season before suffering an ankle injury, being replaced by Patrick Mekari and never getting his job back. With Mekari signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Ravens not drafting a true guard until Dellinger in the seventh round, his path to returning to a starting role was made that much easier. Center: Tyler Linderbaum, Nick Samac, Darrian Dalcourt The thing that will be worth watching here is whether the Ravens exercise the fifth-year option for Linderbaum, sign him to an extension, or wait until next offseason then use a franchise tag, which they could later pull if they work out an extension. Whatever happens, he’ll be their center for a while, though with some injury concerns cropping up last season, the Ravens will need a dependable backup. Right guard: Daniel Faalele, Ben Cleveland Like Vorhees, Faalele figures to have little in the way of competition from the rookie class for the starting right guard job. Re-signing Cleveland at a minimum after he was arrested on suspicion of DUI this offseason at least provides some familiar depth. Emery Jones Jr. talks at the NFL scouting combine in February. The draft pick out of LSU could be a swing tackle or move to guard for the Ravens. (George Walker IV/AP) Right tackle: Roger Rosengarten, Emery Jones Jr.* Rosengarten is firmly entrenched as the starter after a solid rookie season. Baltimore hopes that Jones, a third-round rookie out of LSU, could be its next version of Mekari as a swing tackle who can also possibly play guard. Defensive line: Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington, Aeneas Peebles*, CJ Ravenelle, Adedayo Odeleye, C.J. Okoye The one thing DeCosta acknowledged the Ravens did not get in the draft was a true wide-body, run-stuffing defensive tackle. Peebles, a sixth-round pick out of Virginia Tech, is an interesting player, though, as a tackle who’s on the smaller side for the position but is quick and explosive and plays with a high motor. Inside linebacker: Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Teddye Buchanan*, Jake Hummel, William Kwenkeu Harbaugh said he expects Simpson to start alongside Smith, but he’ll face competition from Buchanan, a fourth-round pick out of California and an excellent tackler. Expect Buchanan and Hummel, who signed with the Ravens this offseason, to be special teams regulars. Former Marshall edge rusher Mike Green, shown running through drills during Senior Bowl practices, is expected to compete for a starting spot at outside linebacker with the Ravens. (Butch Dill/AP) Outside linebacker: Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, Mike Green*, Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac, David Ojabo, Malik Hamm Green comes with concerns over two previous sexual assault accusations, though the Ravens said they are comfortable with their background work on him and Green has denied the accusations. The second-round pick out of Marshall saw his stock plummet from a possible top-10 pick because of off-field concerns, but on the field there’s little question about his talent. He was the Football Bowl Subdivision leader in sacks (17) last season and projects to be an excellent pass rusher and strong run defender at the NFL level, something Baltimore desperately needed. Cornerback: Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, T.J. Tampa, Chidobe Awuzie, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Bilhal Kone*, Robert Longerbeam* The Ravens are expecting Tampa, who is entering his second year, to be a meaningful contributor. The hope is that between him and veteran free-agent Awuzie, they will find an outside corner opposite Wiggins, with Humphrey, an All-Pro in the slot last year, continuing to play a good bit inside again. Kone and Longerbeam have a chance to be special teamers while they develop. Safety: Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks*, Ar’Darius Washington, Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade Starks was a home-run first-round pick by all accounts and is a player who the Ravens hope will be a smaller version of Hamilton — an immensely talented performer with a high football IQ who can play all over the field. His addition also means that Baltimore can utilize Hamilton closer to the line of scrimmage this season after he had to play deeper more often in 2024 to help cover up issues on the back end. Tyler Loop, middle, kicks a field goal while at Arizona last season. (Tyler Tate/AP) Kicker: Justin Tucker, Tyler Loop* It’s likely a matter of when the Ravens will cut ties with Tucker after drafting Loop. The NFL investigation into the more than a dozen sexual misconduct allegations against Tucker is still ongoing, and it’s likely he remains a Raven until that wraps up. Long snapper: Nick Moore Moore returns for his fifth season in Baltimore, though it could be worth watching how he and Loop mesh as a new battery. Punter: Jordan Stout Stout is in the final year of his rookie contract and has been a mostly solid performer for the Ravens. Kick returner: Keaton Mitchell, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali It’ll be interesting to see how Mitchell looks in his second season since a torn ACL in December 2023. Usually, backs returning from such injuries bounce back in their second year, and that could be a boost to the offense as well as on special teams. Punt returner: Wallace, Wester Wallace lost the job last year and he’ll get another crack at it this year. But expect Wester, who led the American Athletic Conference in punt return yards (278) and yards per return (19.9) in 2023 when he was at Florida Atlantic and had two career punt returns for a touchdown, including last season at Colorado, to get a look as well. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens added 11 players over the weekend during the NFL draft, including one of the top safeties and kickers. How would you grade Baltimore’s haul? We want to hear from you. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. Don’t see the poll? Click here to vote. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

The NFL draft can feel like drinking from a firehose. The three-day event included seven rounds, 257 picks and more storylines than could ever fit on a six-hour telecast. On Day 3, many picks flashed across the ESPN ticker while a commercial played. It’s just the nature of the beast. So for diehard fans and casual consumers alike, there’s a lot of information to sort through. In this exercise, we attempt to boil it down. Here’s one stat to know about each of the Ravens’ 11 draft picks this year: Georgia safety Malaki Starks 42 consecutive starts They don’t get more reliable than Starks, who coach Kirby Smart said was the Bulldogs’ best player at five positions on defense. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound Starks lined up all over the field, playing 271 snaps in the slot, 215 in the box and 400 as a deep safety in 2024. Playing for a team that consistently produces some of the top talent in the country — Georgia had 13 players selected in this year’s draft, just one shy of Ohio State — Starks became an immediate starter as a true freshman and never relinquished his spot. He ended his three-year career with six interceptions and 197 tackles. Marshall edge rusher Mike Green 17 sacks It’s the simplest stat, but it speaks to just how good Green was in his final college season. The 6-3, 241-pound defensive end led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 17 sacks, getting to the quarterback with ease thanks to his combination of power and quickness. According to Pro Football Focus, Green posted a 20.2% pass-rush win rate, which means he was beating his block within 2.5 seconds on basically one out of every five attempts. His 32 run stops (tackles that constitute a “loss” for the offense) also ranked first in the class. LSU offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. (50) sets up to block against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) LSU offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. 34 1/4-inch arms Arm length matters more for tackles than it does for guards, where Jones projects to play in Baltimore. But when it comes to keeping defenders away from your chest, it certainly helps to have tree trunks that rank in the 76th percentile among the 853 offensive line prospects in the MockDraftable database. Jones’ hands also measure 10 3/4 inches, which ranks in the 92nd percentile. Those big mitts will help when it comes to using his punch and anchoring against talented pass rushers. California linebacker Teddye Buchanan 40-inch vertical jump The 6-2, 233-pound Buchanan is a twitchy, explosive athlete. His athletic testing numbers at the NFL scouting combine prove it. In Indianapolis, Buchanan recorded a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, 26 reps on the bench press, a 10 foot, 5-inch broad jump and – wait for it – a 40-inch vertical jump. Only three wide receivers and one running back matched or exceeded that mark at this year’s combine. Buchanan put that explosiveness to good use with the Golden Bears, recording 25 pressures and five sacks in coach Justin Wilcox’s simulated-pressure packages. He’ll be able to feast on those same opportunities in an aggressive Baltimore defense. Alabama A&M offensive lineman Carson Vinson 247th-ranked offensive guard in 2020 recruiting class Never tell Vinson the odds. The 6-7, 314-pound tackle was a two-star recruit who played his entire senior season at Panther Creek High in North Carolina without a Division I offer before Alabama A&M took a chance on him. On Saturday, he became the program’s first draft pick since 2011 and its first offensive player drafted in over 30 years. Western Michigan defensive back Bilhal Kone runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Western Michigan cornerback Bilhal Kone 70 tackles After rising up from junior college to Indiana State, Kone transferred to Western Michigan in part to test himself against the premier opponents on the Broncos’ schedule: Iowa, Ohio State and Wisconsin. So you could say that he’s always up for a challenge. That applies to his play style, too. The 6-1, 190-pound Kone was one of only four FBS cornerbacks to record 70 or more tackles in 2024. Arizona kicker Tyler Loop 83.8% career field goal rate As the potential replacement to Justin Tucker in Baltimore and the Ravens’ first draft pick at kicker, there’s a lot of pressure on Loop to succeed. If he can continue his college performance in the NFL, he has a great chance. Loop’s career field goal accuracy would rank 33rd all-time in league history, ahead of reliable veterans such as Adam Vinatieri, Graham Gano, Matt Stover and Matt Prater, to name a few. Loop has already earned renowned special teams coach Randy Brown’s seal of approval. Now he’ll just have to prove it on the field. Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester 326 career catches Wester is most likely going to make his biggest impact in Baltimore as a punt returner, having averaged 11.2 yards per return with two touchdowns in his college career. But don’t overlook his receiving chops, either. Playing at Florida Atlantic for coach Willie Taggart, now the Ravens’ running backs coach, the 5-10, 163-pound Wester ranked second in the FBS with 107 catches in 2023. After recording 74 more catches with Shedeur Sanders in Colorado, he finished his college career with 326 receptions, which ranks sixth all-time in FBS history. Virginia Tech defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Virginia Tech defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles 37 pressures The 6-1, 282-pound Peebles isn’t your typical run-stuffing defensive lineman. His quick first step allows him to knife into the backfield, as evidenced by his 17.8% pass-rush win rate and 91.2 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024. After leading Duke in tackles for loss and sacks in 2023, Peebles only recorded three sacks with the Hokies. But according to The Athletic, he still made a big impact, as his 37 quarterback pressures ranked third among all FBS interior defensive lineman. Related Articles READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 2025 draft Ravens draft grades: Analysts again give high marks — with notable caveat Ravens 2025 undrafted free agent tracker: Auburn DL, Rutgers DB added Ravens draft kicker for first time amid Justin Tucker uncertainty Rutgers cornerback Robert Longerbeam 42 passes defended While the 5-11, 175-pound Longerbeam is undersized, particularly against NFL competition, there’s no questioning his competitiveness. The former high school quarterback led the Scarlet Knights in passes defended in three of the past four seasons, totaling 42 with five interceptions over that span. Longerbeam’s speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash) is impressive, and he stood out during the East-West Shrine Bowl practices for his work as a slot defender. LSU offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger 80-plus pass-blocking grade The four-year starter primarily played left guard for the Tigers, where it was difficult for defenders to get around him and left tackle Will Campbell, the New England Patriots’ No. 4 overall selection on Friday night. While injuries have been a concern during his career, including tightrope surgery on his right ankle during his senior season, Dellinger has been an extremely reliable blocker. According to PFF, he posted 80-plus pass-blocking grades in three straight seasons and was penalized just once over his final 26 games. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

The Ravens entered this year’s NFL draft with 11 picks and three days later had 11 new players. That fact seems axiomatic, but is also revealing when it comes to Baltimore’s roster-building philosophy. In short and simplified, general manager Eric DeCosta is willing to dole out big bucks to high-impact, star players like quarterback Lamar Jackson, linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and a few others, then likes to use an abundance of selections to try to find quality, inexpensive players that fit culturally to fill out the bulk of the roster. Some teams prefer packaging picks to move up to land a big-time talent; DeCosta avoids doing so like a crab evades the midday sun. Doing so has generally worked out, too. To borrow from ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., there’s a reason some teams are always picking at the top of the draft every year and Baltimore is not one of those teams. Put another way, it’s a numbers game, and generally speaking the Ravens have played it well, often nailing their mid-to-late first-round picks and finding meaningful contributors on Day 3, which is when eight of their selections took place this year. While DeCosta uses “best player available” ad nauseam, Baltimore also addressed several needs this year with players it believes fit scheme and personality-wise. There was plenty to be gleaned from what the Ravens did — and didn’t do — as well. Here are five things we learned from this year’s draft. Defense needed upgrading and was a focus That six of the Ravens’ picks — including each of their first two on safety Malaki Starks and controversial edge rusher Mike Green — were spent on defensive players was telling. Though Baltimore ranked a respectable eighth in both points (21.2) and yards allowed per game (319.2) last season, the defense took a big step back, especially through the air. The Ravens were an abysmal 27th in passing yards allowed (238.3) and only some schematic changes and personnel adjustments helped turn things around the second half of the season. It was also a short-term fix. By adding what many consider to be the top safety in the class who has a resume filled with consequential plays at a school (Georgia) that played a ton of big games the past few years, the Ravens’ pass defense should immediately get better on the back end and in the middle. Starks is also a high-character, high-football-IQ guy who played all over the field for the Bulldogs’ defense and will do the same here, from deep safety to nickel, like a smaller version of All-Pro Kyle Hamilton. The other way to improve a secondary is to get to the quarterback. Green did that persistently at Marshall (17 sacks, 59 pressures, 20.2% pass rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus), and if it weren’t for concerns over two previous sexual assault allegations he would have been long gone by the second round. But DeCosta said that he feels “comfortable” with the Ravens’ due diligence on those matters, the organization likely feels its culture can help Green avoid any further issues and is clearly willing to take that gamble in exchange for a highly talented player who should improve Baltimore’s middle-of-the-pack pressure rate from last season. The one thing DeCosta acknowledged the Ravens did not get was a “big, wide-body-type” defensive lineman, though sixth-round tackle Aeneas Peebles, while on the smaller side, is an interesting player who has a chance to be the kind of late-round find they covet given his vigor and array of moves. Arizona kicker Tyler Loop participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, , in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Justin Tucker’s days in Baltimore appear to be numbered DeCosta was never going to flat-out say that he expects that sixth-round pick Tyler Loop will be Baltimore’s kicker next year and that the team is moving on from Justin Tucker, who is being investigated by the NFL over sexual misconduct allegations by several massage therapists from numerous Baltimore-area spas. Instead, he offered up a predictable line, saying, “They’re both on the roster, and there’s a situation for us where we’re just trying to find the best football players.” But he didn’t have to be declarative — Loop’s selection as the first kicker drafted in the organization’s 30-year history all but was. Unless Loop is lousy in rookie minicamp and beyond — something that seems unlikely as Kiper’s top-rated kicker in the class and the only kicker Ravens senior special teams coach Randy Brown coveted, according to DeCosta — it’s all but certain that he will be the Ravens’ kicker this season. If Tucker, who has maintained his innocence, is hit with a suspension from the league, that would presumably be the final nail in his time here. But even before the disturbing allegations emerged, there were already questions about the 35-year-old and team’s longest-tenured player’s future, who is relatively pricey and was coming off easily the worst season of his career. For Loop’s part, following in the footsteps of a team legend in at best an awkward scenario doesn’t seem to faze him. “I think it’s really exciting more than pressure, just because it gives you something to shoot for,” he said. “Getting to follow in the footsteps of a guy like him who’s been so elite and get to compete with him and maybe learn from him, that gets me fired up.” Mark Andrews was never (likely) going anywhere The combination of Andrews being in the final year of his contract, the emerging Isaiah Likely behind him and DeCosta before the draft stopping short of definitively saying that he would be on the team this season was convenient kindling to trade speculation. But any such flames were fully doused after the draft’s second day. “I would never say if I entertained any trade offers at this point,” DeCosta said. “I would really expect Mark to be on this team.” Now, what if a tight-end-needy team that had missed out on Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, both of whom went in the first round, offered the Ravens a deal that included a second- or third-round pick? “You would only deal him if you knew you could get a [third-round pick],” one agent told The Baltimore Sun before the draft. Even then, would that really be worth it given Andrews’ role in the offense, his being a security blanket to a star quarterback on a Super Bowl-caliber roster and the fact that Baltimore would recoup a similar compensatory pick should he leave in free agency next offseason? “It’s not even close,” said the agent, who was granted anonymity to speak openly about sensitive league matters. “With all these draft picks, nobody knows. Why get rid of Andrews for a third-round pick that you don’t even know is going to make it in the NFL? There’s first-rounders getting cut after a year. You’ve got a Pro Bowler there who’s probably one of the heartbeats of the team. That’s a winning team. There’s a reason why they’re picking where they’re picking every year.” Virginia Tech defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) They still need help on both lines Going into the draft, DeCosta made it clear Baltimore was looking to add to its defensive and offensive lines. The latter was addressed with third-round pick and swing tackle Emery Jones Jr. out of LSU, fifth-round pick and true tackle Carson Vinson out of Alabama A&M and seventh-round guard Garrett Dellinger. Meanwhile, Peebles ended up being the lone defensive lineman the Ravens selected and even that doesn’t fulfill the need for a true run-stuffing nose tackle given his lack of size. In other words, expect them to continue to beef up both fronts both in the undrafted free agent market and the veteran free agent market this summer when signing an available player would not count against the league’s compensatory pick formula. Already, Baltimore has reportedly signed three undefeated free agent tackles and an interior defensive lineman along with extending minicamp invites to at least two interior offensive linemen. It just makes sense and there’s a need to build depth, particularly given Ronnie Stanley’s injury history, among other potential concerns. For one, teams need 15 or so offensive linemen (and around half as many defensive linemen) just to get through training camp. For another, coach John Harbaugh ostensibly believes in the law of averages when it comes to ultimately filling out the 52-man roster and practice squad, particularly along the offensive line, which the Ravens currently allocate the least amount of salary cap space to of any team in the league, per Over The Cap. In other words, the more (inexpensive) players competing for spots, the more likely they are to find guys who will fit what they need, which was the case last summer even with three open jobs on the starting offensive line. Related Articles READER POLL: How would you grade the Ravens’ draft? Ravens draft by the numbers: One stat to know about all 11 picks Ravens draft grades: Analysts again give high marks — with notable caveat Ravens 2025 undrafted free agent tracker: Auburn DL, Rutgers DB added Ravens draft kicker for first time amid Justin Tucker uncertainty Drafting a quarterback was a possibility The Ravens are in the best shape they’ve been in at quarterback in a long time, with of course two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Jackson and a quality No. 2 in veteran and former Dallas Cowboys backup Cooper Rush, whom they signed this offseason. Still, DeCosta said he considered drafting a quarterback in the later rounds, likely as someone who could be developed into a reliable backup or perhaps striking gold like the San Francisco 49ers did with Brock Purdy, the last pick in the 2022 draft. “We had a few guys that we liked,” he said. “I can tell you that one guy got picked that we really did. We talked about it.” He also said that he still thinks current third-stringer and 2024 sixth-round pick Devin Leary still has a chance to develop, but the Ravens targeting a quarterback along with Leary’s obvious struggles last summer probably means it’s a long shot that he’ll become a backup anytime soon. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The 2025 NFL draft is over, which means it’s time to hand out the report cards. Draft grades have become a staple of the business, with experts weighing in on not only who picked the best players but who squeezed the most value out of their selections. Of course, it’s a silly exercise. Nobody knows for sure how well these players will perform on an NFL field, no matter how impressive they were in college. But an attempt to analyze the process of how teams make selections and where they value players in relation to consensus rankings is worthwhile. Not surprisingly, the Ravens have routinely earned high marks over the years for their draft picks. General manager Eric DeCosta has often been patient and let the top players fall to Baltimore, and there’s no better example than this year’s first two picks. Georgia safety Malaki Starks was ranked No. 16 on Arif Hasan’s annual consensus big board, which takes into account evaluations from 112 analysts, and he was picked No. 27 overall. Marshall edge rusher Mike Green, ranked No. 17 by consensus, was picked 59th, but he dropped because of two sexual assault allegations that he’s since denied and has not been charged for. Here’s a look at the Ravens’ 11-player full draft class and where the players rank on the consensus board: Round 1, No. 27: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (No. 24) Round 2, No. 59: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall (No. 14) Round 3, No. 91: Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU (No. 98) Round 4, No. 129: Teddye Buchanan, LB, California (No. 177) Round 5, No. 141: Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M (No. 205) Round 6, No. 178: Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan (No. 188) Round 6, No. 186: Tyler Loop, K, Arizona (not ranked) Round 6, No. 203: LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado (No. 279) Round 6, No. 210: Aeneas Peebles, DL, Virginia Tech (No. 132) Round 6, No. 212: Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers (No. 228) Round 7, No. 243: Garrett Dellinger, G, LSU (No. 231) There are some notable “reaches” in that group but not enough to sway the experts. Here’s a look at what draft analysts are saying about this year’s Ravens class: ESPN: B+ Baltimore native and Calvert Hall graduate Mel Kiper Jr. listed the Ravens’ top needs as edge rusher, cornerback, safety, guard and kicker entering the draft, and they checked those boxes without making any big moves. “The Ravens didn’t make any in-draft trades last year, they had made only eight over the prior five drafts, and they traded down twice this year. They let the board come to them and got some good prospects,” Kiper writes. Kiper said that Starks will help tighten up the coverage in the secondary and “has the closing speed to arrive as the ball does and either break up the pass or immediately wrap up the receiver.” He ranked Green 18th on his big board, noting that his “speed, power and a wide array of pass-rush moves allow him to consistently get pressure.” Loop was also his top-ranked kicker. NFL.com: A Chad Reuter explains that the Ravens “are perennial contenders because they let the draft board come to them.” “Starks will be a playmaker no matter where he lines up,” Reuter writes. “Green was still available late in Round 2 because of off-field concerns, but he has a chance to provide a lot of value off the edge. Jones could be a solid starter at guard or tackle in time.” Buchanan, Peebles, Kone and Longerbeam are expected to make an impact on defense, Vinson and Dellinger “will compete for playing time early,” and Wester is highlighted as “a tough, quick slot receiver and punt returner.” New York Post: B- Although praising the pick of Starks to pair with Kyle Hamilton to form what “could quickly become the NFL’s best young safety tandem,” Ryan Dunleavy questions the decision to take a prospect falling because of off-the-field concerns. “Green in the late second round was great football value, but his two separate sexual assault allegations (both denied) brought more focus to veteran kicker Justin Tucker’s ongoing sexual misconduct investigation,” he writes. Pro Football Focus: A The scouting and analytics website highlighted the Ravens as one of 10 teams to earn a true “A” grade or better. In breaking down each player, PFF was mostly impressed by the top two selections of Starks and Green. “The Ravens let the board fall to them and take the best available player on the PFF Big Board,” PFF writes of Starks. “Starks brings high-level football intelligence and great anticipation to make plays on the ball in coverage.” PFF notes that Green, while facing off-the-field concerns, “has the talent to be one of the biggest steals” of the draft. He posted a 20.2% pass-rush win rate and a 9.4% run-stop rate while earning 90.0-plus grades in each of the past two seasons. Sports Illustrated: B “Baltimore has a type, and it certainly stuck to it this year,” Matt Verderame writes. The addition of Starks gives the Ravens “one of the league’s top safety pairings,” and Green is described as “a first-round talent.” “Jones is a value pick on the offensive line, but whether he sticks at tackle or kicks inside remains to be seen,” Verderame writes. USA Today: B Acknowledging that the Ravens “got two standouts in the first two rounds” to address their needs, Nate Davis called the selection of Green a “pretty bad organizational look.” “The Ravens have significant issues here currently with K Justin Tucker (who they are apparently in the process of replacing with sixth-rounder Tyler Loop) and in their past — yet chose a guy with multiple sexual assault allegations in his past (Green has denied both),” he writes. “Baltimore is a more talented football team today than it was a week ago, but at what cost?” CBS Sports: B+ Chris Trapasso said that DeCosta “is one of the savviest decision-makers in football, routinely allowing the draft to come to him.” He calls Green and Buchanan “two explosive defenders up front with modern-day, well-rounded games,” while Jones and Vinson “are two developmental types up front on offense, although Jones is much closer to being starter-ready.” Peebles is highlighted as “an explosive interior pass-rusher” and a “great Round 6 find.” “Another prudent draft weekend for Baltimore,” he writes. Associated Press: B+ Rob Maadi praises Starks as a “mature, talented and can thrive on a team that knows how to develop safeties” while calling the selection of Green “excellent value” as “a first-round projection who slipped due to off-field concerns.” Jones and Buchanan are highlighted as “possible Day 3 steals.” Washington Post: B- “Put aside the propriety of whether the Ravens should have drafted pass rusher Mike Green despite his off-field issues — particularly given that their longtime kicker, Justin Tucker, is being investigated by the NFL under its personal conduct policy. Both players have denied wrongdoing,” Mark Maske writes. “Purely on football considerations, the Ravens fortified their defense meaningfully by getting safety Malaki Starks in the first round and Green in the second.” Maske notes that Baltimore “did far less to help quarterback Lamar Jackson and the offense,” though the selection of Loop “gives the Ravens a potential alternative to Tucker.” Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

With the 2025 NFL draft over, the Ravens have turned their attention to the undrafted market. Baltimore entered the draft with 70 players and made 11 picks, leaving room for more additions. Here’s a look at who they’ve added so far (this article will be updated): Auburn defensive lineman Jayson Jones (according to The Draft Network): The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Jones was a starter at Oregon before transferring to Auburn, where he recorded 37 tackles in two seasons. The Under Armour All-American posted 2 1/2 tackles for loss and 1 1/2 sacks in four college seasons. Rutgers defensive back Desmond Igbinosun (according to CBS Sports): The 6-2, 213-pound Igbinosun made 29 starts at safety for the Scarlet Knights, recording 186 tackles with 15 for loss and two sacks in his career. The Union, New Jersey, native played running back, wide receiver and defensive back at at Union High School. Memphis linebacker Chandler Martin (according to Memphis): The 6-foot, 229-pound Martin played at East Tennessee State before transferring to Memphis, where he was twice named first-team All-American Athletic Conference after leading the team in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks in 2023 and 2024. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds. Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins (according to The Athletic): The 6-foot, 224-pound Higgins spent five seasons at Iowa and led the FBS in combined tackles (295) over the past two seasons. The two-time first-team All-American learned behind Detroit Lions first-round pick Jack Campbell for three years before taking over as the starter. Monmouth RB Sone Ntoh (according to FCS Football Central): The 5-11, 235-pound Ntoh scored a touchdown in 21 of 23 career games and ranks second in program history with 39 career rushing scores. He rushed for 487 yards on 109 carries in 2024, good for an average of 4.5 yards per carry. Ntoh played in 19 games in three seasons at Harvard University, where he graduate in May 2023. Minnesota running back Marcus Major Jr. (according to Coach J.D. Runnels Jr.): The 6-foot, 213-pound Major rushed 194 times for 833 yards and eight touchdowns in five seasons at Oklahoma before transferring to Minnesota, where he rushed for 371 yards and three touchdowns and caught 20 passes for 144 yards and a score in 2024. Oregon State offensive lineman Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan (according to Sportskeeda): The 6-8, 315-pound Christian-Lichtenhan played in 33 games, including 19 starts, at Colorado (including blocking for Shedeur Sanders in 2023) and graduated with a degree in communications before spending his final season at Oregon State. He made 12 starts at left tackle for the Beavers, earning an 81.8 overall by Pro Football Focus. Temple defensive end Diwun Black (according to Temple News Sports): The 6-4, 246-pound Black played two seasons with at Temple after spending two at Florida and one in junior college at Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Jackson, Mississippi, native recorded four sacks in 2024 and earned a second-team All-AAC honors. Minnesota-Duluth tight end Sam Pitz (according to Christian Shanafelt): The 6-6, 248-pound Pitz recorded 940 receiving yards and 17 touchdown catches over the four seasons in Division II. He posted a vertical jump of 34 inches while running the 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds. Illinois State defensive back Keondre Jackson (according to Illinois State): The 6-2, 207-pound Jackson ranked third on the team with 99 tackles and contributed 1 1/2 sacks, 4 1/2 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three interceptions to earn FCS All-American honors in 2024. Albany offensive lineman Ozzie Hutchinson (according to Albany): The 6-3, 305-pound Hutchinson was an All-Coastal Athletic Association selection for the Great Danes but was limited to just six games last year because of foot and ankle injuries. He recorded 26 reps on the bench press, a broad jump of 8 feet, 6 inches and a vertical jump of 26 inches at his pro day. Arizona State wide receiver Xavier Guillory (according to Arizona State): The 6-2, 201-pound Guillory was one of the top receivers in the FCS at Idaho State, recording 52 catches for 785 yards and four touchdowns in 2022. He had 43 catches for 565 yards and six touchdowns in two seasons with the Sun Devils. Guillory ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds and posted a vertical jump of 39 inches at his pro day. Miami (Ohio) offensive tackle Reid Holskey (according to Aaron Wilson): The 6-6, 306-pound Holskey started all 14 games and earned first-team All-Mid-American Conference honors after helping the Red Hawks rush for 135.3 yards per game. The four-year starter was named Miami’s Offensive Power Player of the Year. Towson linebacker Nchabanu Fortaboh (according to Towson): The 6-3, 225-pound Fortaboh earned a rookie minicamp invite from Baltimore. The Germantown native led the Tigers with 6 1/2 sacks and nine tackles for loss in 2024 while recording 33 tackles and a forced fumble after transferring from Virginia University of Lynchburg. James Madison linebacker Jacob Dobbs (according to Draft Diamonds): The 6-foot, 233-pound Dobbs was invited to rookie minicamp. The 2024 second-team All-Sun Belt selection led the Dukes in tackles (74) to go with 3 1/2 tackles for loss, three sacks and three fumble recoveries. Nebraska wide receiver Jahmal Banks (according to Aaron Wilson): The 6-4, 220-pound Banks, a former St. Frances star who was born in Washington, played four seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to Nebraska, where he led the Huskers with 587 receiving yards and ranked second with 44 catches and three receiving touchdowns in 2024. Arkansas cornerback Marquise Robinson (according to Aaron Wilson): The 6-1, 192-pound Robinson began his career at Southwest Mississippi Community College before moving to South Alabama and finally Arkansas, where he recorded 36 tackles, seven pass breakups and one interception in 2024. Baylor wide receiver Ketron Jackson Jr. (according to Aaron Wilson): The 6-3, 205-pound Jackson was invited to rookie minicamp. The former four-star recruit played two seasons at Arkansas before transferring to Baylor, where he had 28 catches for 489 yards as a junior in 2023 and 12 receptions for 236 yards in 2024 while missing two games because of injury. Louisiana cornerback Keyon Martin (according to Aaron Wilson): The 5-9, 166-pound Martin was invited to rookie minicamp. The Youngstown State transfer had three interceptions and 17 pass breakups in 36 games at Louisiana. Middlebury College offensive lineman Thomas Perry (according to NFL Network): The 6-3, 317-pound Perry earned an invitation to rookie minicamp. The Division III standout and first-team All-American became the first player from Middlebury to be invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl. Maryland offensive lineman Isaac Bunyun (according to Aaron Wilson): The 6-3, 321-pound Bunyun was invited to rookie minicamp. After switching from defensive line to offensive line in the offseason, the Ghana native made 12 starts at left guard for the Terps. Wyoming kicker John Hoyland (according to The Draft Network): The 5-10, 200-pound Hoyland received an invitation to rookie minicamp. He made 72 of 91 field goal attempts (79.1%) in his four-year career at Wyoming with a long of 56 yards. He also recorded 118 touchbacks on 246 kickoffs with eight going out of bounds. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article