As the days wind down until the season opener, the Ravens will lean on two of their top rookies for a pivotal Week 1 matchup: safety Malaki Starks and edge rusher Mike Green.
Baltimore swept through the preseason at 3-0, with both rookies playing key roles. Their stat lines weren’t eye-popping, but the tape showed impact that went well beyond the box score.
Those skill sets will be tested immediately in Orchard Park against the Buffalo Bills.
Starks’ Instant Fit
Starks flashed range and assignment flexibility throughout the preseason. He aligned high as a true center fielder, rolled late into robber zones, pressed tight ends from the slot, and even walked out wide when formations dictated it. He triggered quickly on down-and-distance, forced throws underneath, and tackled in space to set up manageable third downs.
That versatility will matter against a high-powered Bills offense.
Josh Allen stresses defenses with second-reaction bombs and seam shots. Starks’ ability to rotate from a split-safety shell, carry verticals, and stop crossers helps limit explosive plays. His reps against athletic tight ends also translate against Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox.
Add steady run fits and pursuit angles, and he’s a clean answer versus James Cook on perimeter concepts.
And this isn’t just a one-week fix.
An opening stretch against the Browns, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, and Rams, and midyear showdowns with the Dolphins and Bengals, will test Baltimore’s ability to disguise coverages and stay in sync. Starks already showed he can handle multiple roles within a series, which lets Baltimore toggle looks without subbing.
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Green’s pass-rush plan
Green arrived with a defined fastball and counters.
He repeatedly created short corners with a skip step into a violent two-hand swipe, then flattened to the quarterback with real bend.
When tackles sat on the edge, he crossed their face or converted speed to power. On games and stunts he stayed controlled, showing the balance to swim or rip through interior help.
His run snaps were also encouraging—setting a firm edge against tight ends, squeezing split-zone, and chasing cutbacks down the line. That should translate even against a strong Bills offensive line headlined by four-time Pro Bowler Dion Dawkins.
Buffalo’s quick game will shrink rush time, but Green consistently opened lanes even when the ball came out fast. His ability to win either outside or inside also complements Odafe Oweh’s length and Kyle Van Noy’s gamesmanship, while keeping pockets muddy for Allen.
The Bigger Picture
Baltimore finished last season with an elite defense and enters 2025 with few soft spots.
Adding Starks injects more range and matchup coverage into a secondary already featuring Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey.
Green deepens a front that can now rotate Nnamdi Madubuike, Oweh, Van Noy, David Ojabo and Aeneas Peebles with real purpose.
Both rookies will be tested, starting with Allen in Week 1, but their preseason tape points to immediate, tangible impact. If they carry those traits into Sundays, the Ravens’ defense will tilt fields for a team with Super Bowl ambitions.
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