Can the Ravens Rookie Pass Rusher Live Up to the Hype Next Season?
As the 2025–26 NFL season inches closer, the excitement in Baltimore continues to build. Full team training camp is set to begin next week at 1 Winning Drive in Owings Mills, Maryland, with the first Sunday of regular season football just 52 days away. Ravens fans are eagerly awaiting their first look at rookie pass rusher Mike Green in game action. Drafted out of Marshall in the second round with the 59th overall pick, Green is expected to make his NFL debut in Week One against the Buffalo Bills.
The 21-year-old has drawn plenty of hype heading into his rookie season, as the Ravens and second-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr expect him to make an immediate impact on defense. Green unexpectedly fell to the Ravens on Day Two of the draft, partly due to previous sexual assault allegations, which he has denied. Despite the off-field concerns, the Virginia native was considered one of the top pass rushers in his class. His on-field talent made him a highly sought-after prospect and a potential draft steal for Baltimore.
On Thursday afternoon, Green and the Ravens finalized his rookie deal, agreeing to a four-year contract worth up to seven and a half million guaranteed. With the deal now in place, all members of Baltimore’s 2025 draft class are officially under contract heading into training camp. Green, who led the nation with 17 sacks last season at Marshall, enters camp looking to build off his dominant college production and become a disruptive force at the next level. He was already a standout during OTAs this past May and will be a key player to watch as Baltimore looks to finally get over the postseason hump and reach the Super Bowl for the first time in the Lamar Jackson era.
Since arriving in Baltimore, Green has impressed teammates and coaches alike. During early summer workouts and rookie practices, he quickly stood out with his athleticism and motor. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr expressed his excitement about the rookie’s potential. He said, “I think he’s going to be a really valuable piece for us. He’s strong. He’s explosive. He can rush on the outside, and he can rush on the inside.”
The Ravens enter the season with lingering questions at pass rusher. Veteran Kyle Van Noy, who led the team with 12.5 sacks last season at age 33, and fellow linebacker Odafe Oweh, who recorded a career-best 10 sacks in 2024–25, are both in the final year of their contracts. Meanwhile, younger players such as David Ojabo, Adisa Isaac, and Tavius Robinson remain unproven due to injuries or inconsistent play. With Green being touted as a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, the Ravens are counting on him to play a significant role from the start. If all goes according to plan, Baltimore may have landed the next great Ravens defensive force, but only time will tell.
