ExtremeRavens Posted May 6 Posted May 6 The past few days marked the first time Ravens coaches were able to see this year’s rookie class in action on the field. In all, there were more than 60 players on the grass for rookie minicamp at the team’s training facility in Owings Mills, with 11 draft picks, 24 undrafted free agents and around 30 tryout invitees all being put through the early paces of NFL life. Among them was new safety and first-round pick Malaki Starks, who unexpectedly broke down the huddle at the end of practice on Sunday afternoon in what was the only session open to reporters. “[Coach John Harbaugh] threw me off with it, but it was an honor, and I don’t take it lightly,” Starks said. “I’m happy I got to do it, and hopefully I can do it again.” With the next meaningful gathering of players not until May 27-29 for voluntary organized team activities, here’s a look at five things we learned from the nearly two-hour session: Top draft picks will be expected to contribute immediately Picking near the bottom of the first and second rounds of the draft doesn’t necessarily yield players who will be major contributors right away (see: Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive tackle and top draft pick Josh Simmons). But when it comes to Starks and edge rusher Mike Green, it’s likely both will be expected to be on the field early and often for Baltimore this season. Aside from being positions that needed help, both have the skills to see significant time. “You start with Malaki and down through, and we drafted all those guys for a reason, and they’re guys who made plays at a high level in college, disruptive-type players, every one of them,” Harbaugh said. “They all have a shot. We’ll see how they do.” As for first impressions? That Starks broke down the huddle speaks to his maturity and leadership, two things he was praised for by scouts across the league during the predraft process. As for Green, he declined to elaborate on two previous sexual assault allegations that continue to hang over him, but on the field, he unsurprisingly looked the part of a prototypical pass rusher. “I think you see it kind of up close and personal, the explosiveness and the size,” Harbaugh said of the 6-foot-3, 251-pound former Marshall standout. “He’s a big guy.” Ravens outside linebacker Mike Green, shown practicing, is expected to compete for immediate playing time in 2025. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The stage was set for Justin Tucker to be released Asked at the Ravens’ end-of-season news conference in January if the team would bring in a kicker to compete with Justin Tucker after the 35-year-old had easily his worst season with just 73% of his fields goals made, Harbaugh said he had “every expectation” that Tucker would be Baltimore’s kicker for the 2025 season. That was also just before allegations of sexual misconduct by more than a dozen massage therapists from several Baltimore-area spas made Tucker the subject of an NFL investigation that is still ongoing. On Sunday, when Harbaugh was asked about the dynamic of Tucker and sixth-round draft pick Tyler Loop being on the field at the same time come voluntary organized team activities later this month, he hinted that a “football decision” could be made “in the next few weeks.” That decision came just over 24 hours later with the Ravens announcing Tucker’s release. As for how Loop and invitee John Hoyland out of Wyoming looked, both missed some kicks, some badly so. That’s a change from whenever Tucker was on the field, of course. As the most accurate kicker in league history, misses from Tucker were rare. But it’s also to be expected for a couple of kickers working with a new battery of snapper and holder while also potentially working on some mechanics under the watchful eye of senior special teams coach Randy Brown. Loop did appear to have a good amount of power behind his kicks. Aeneas Pebbles has personality — and some game Sixth-round picks are hardly surefire things. Add in being an undersized defensive tackle and 6-foot, 282-pound Aeneas Peebles might seem like a bit of a long shot to have an impact. Still, his college numbers at least make a case. Pebbles’ 27.3% pass-rush win rate (minimum 70 rushes in true pass rush sets) last season at Virginia Tech ranked first among interior defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus. He was the only defensive tackle in the class with at least a 90 pass rush grade each of the past two seasons. He also has plenty of energy and personality. Ravens defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles, shown speaking to the media, showcased his personality and athleticism at rookie minicamp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The day he was drafted, wrote on ’X,’ “Yall messed up letting me in the door nfl now ima make it my home!!!!!” On Sunday, he expounded on that when asked about being disappointed over falling to the sixth round. “That’s the same chip [on my shoulder] that I’ve had my whole life,” he said. “Whether that had to do with the NFL draft, or whether that had to do with just how I came up in high school, I just feel like I’ve always had that chip on my shoulder, and it’s helped to get me here. So, I just continue to let that fuel me.” He also has a nickname: Fub. “I got the nickname ‘Fub’ when I was a little kid, so I rarely hear my government name nowadays,” he said. “But, when I was a baby, I was fat and chubby, so they always called me ‘Fubby’ growing up, and now that I got older, it got shortened to ‘Fub,’ so I ran with it.” Veteran offensive tackle was a need The Ravens were in the market for a veteran offensive swing tackle regardless, but that need took on a little more importance when Harbaugh revealed that “it’s going to be a little while” until third-round rookie tackle Emery Jones Jr. is ready to play because of a shoulder injury. Enter veteran Joseph Noteboom, whom the Ravens signed to a one-year deal on Saturday. Noteboom, 29, spent his first seven years with the Los Angeles Rams, and though he has struggled in pass protection the last couple of seasons, he provides valuable depth and flexibility at a position that needed both. “A veteran, talented guy, who’s played on both sides, really to focus probably as a swing tackle as much as anything for us, and that’s kind of where we really, really need that veteran presence — as a swing tackle, play both sides — and then yes, he can pop down there at guard, but I think we’ll be focusing on tackle,” Harbaugh said. “But a really big signing for us.” “You start with Malaki and down through, and we drafted all those guys for a reason, and they're guys who made plays at a high level in college, disruptive-type players, every one of them,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “They all have a shot. We'll see how they do.” (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Joint practice update One bit of news to come out of the rookie minicamp is that Harbaugh said he has spoken with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders about joint practices. However, the team is awaiting the release of the preseason schedule before finalizing its plans. Baltimore played both teams during the 2024 regular season, but neither is among its opponents in the regular season this year. The Ravens beat the Buccaneers in Tampa, 41-31, and knocked off the Commanders, 30-23. The NFL will announce its full schedule on May 14. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
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