Two years ago, Teddye Buchanan didn’t picture himself starting as a rookie for the Ravens.
A two-star prospect coming out of high school, he was playing at Cal-Davis, a school that has produced just one NFL draft pick since 2003. Even last year, after transferring to Cal, Buchanan couldn’t take an NFL future for granted.
Now he’s playing next to Roquan Smith, chasing Lamar Jackson at practice, and stalking Josh Allen on “Sunday Night Football.”
Buchanan knows he’s risen far and fast, and he’s enjoying the ride.
“Before every game I just take a moment to appreciate it, take it all in,” Buchanan said after making his first NFL start in the Ravens’ 41-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns. “Now that I’m here, it’s all about performing and helping the team win.”
Buchanan became the first Day 3 pick to start on the Ravens’ defense within his first two games since 2006, when fifth-round selection Dawan Landry started at safety.
Landry made five interceptions as a rookie and remembers what it felt like joining a stacked defense that included Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata, Trevor Pryce, Bart Scott, Chris McAlister, Adalius Thomas, and Samari Rolle.
“I was starstruck until we put on the pads,” Landry said in a telephone interview. “I still remember my first padded practice. [Defensive Coordinator] Rex Ryan put his arm around me and said, ‘You’re practicing with the starters. Do your thing.’ I held my own, and that’s when I said, ‘OK, I think I belong here.’
“Those are the moments you remember. It’s probably the same for Teddye. Ed Reed, all the vets, took me under their wing, treated me like a little brother. I wasn’t picking up the defense that fast until they showed up, but once I could see what they did, I followed their lead. The only advice I’d give Teddye is to savor the moment, take constructive criticism, and don’t make the same mistake twice. I’m sure playing with guys like ‘Ro’, Kyle Hamilton, and [Nnamdi] Madubuike is only helping him grow.”