After failing to beat Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round last season, the Baltimore Ravens used their first two draft picks on defensive players Malaki Starks and Mike Green. Head coach John Harbaugh’s team is known for its physical toughness, and these selections reflect that identity. 

The Ravens have simply underachieved during the Lamar Jackson era. Their franchise quarterback has won two MVP awards and added RB Derrick Henry into the fold a year ago, but it wasn’t enough to win the AFC. 

Oddsmakers are high on Baltimore in 2025, valuing them as the co-betting favorite alongside Buffalo to win Super Bowl LX at +600 odds. Download new sports betting apps and register accounts as a first-time customer to claim bonus rewards before backing the Ravens to win their first Super Bowl since 2013. 

Fan expectations should be high for their top two 2025 rookie draft picks. Starks was an All-American at the University of Georgia in 2023 and recorded a career-high 77 tackles and four TFLs as a junior with the Bulldogs in 2024. He’s an explosive safety who is already expected to be a Week 1 starter against the Bills. 

In Round 2, Baltimore opted to draft Marshall edge rusher Mike Green with the 59th overall pick. Green recorded a dominant 17 sacks for the Thundering Herd in the Sun Belt Conference last season.

Green’s stat line also included a career-high 23 TFLs and 84 total tackles, while forcing three fumbles in 13 games played. He’ll slot in behind Ravens’ veteran Kyle Van Noy to start the 2025 season. 

The Ravens finished 2024 with a top-10 defense in points allowed per game. As a collective, the defensive unit surrendered 21.2 points per game, vastly improving in the second half of the regular season.

Unfortunately, Baltimore couldn’t hold an early lead against Buffalo in the playoffs. They gave up a pair of goal-line touchdown conversions in the first half and never regained the lead. 

Starks and Green are both tone-setters and were drafted to improve different areas of the Ravens’ defense. Bills’ franchise quarterback Josh Allen committed zero turnovers during that playoff loss, while churning out first downs and controlling time of possession. 

These two rookies will attempt to help their new team get revenge against Buffalo on the road in Week 1. Adjusting to NFL speed is typically a learning curve, especially against a contender like the Bills. 

Green could work his way into the starting rotation within the first few weeks of the season. He’s going to be a huge asset in generating pressure, which the Ravens struggled to do at times last year. 

Starks joins a deep, talented, and experienced defensive back group. Baltimore acquired CB Jaire Alexander from Green Bay this offseason, while three former first-round draft picks, Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, and Nate Wiggins, can help Starks develop into his new role. 

It’s clear that the Ravens want to string together playoff wins to go on a title run. It’s a franchise that has enough talent and pieces in place, with Starks and Green both adding a ton of upside for 2025 and beyond. 

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