With the Ravens conducting rookie camp for their 2025 draft picks and undrafted signings, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Asked about the sexual assault allegations prompting his fall to the late second round, Mike Green repeatedly said he was “focused on moving forward” while noting he was “completely open about everything” with teams. Few doubt his on-field potential, but time will tell how this goes for him and Baltimore.
2. The first OTA open to media is May 28. Images of Justin Tucker taking the practice field are different than keeping him on the offseason roster when nothing’s been happening on the field anyway. We’ll see how willing the Ravens are to let the NFL’s investigation play out fully.
3. Even if Tucker is gone by training camp, I’d be surprised if the Ravens leave an unimpeded path for Tyler Loop to replace him, so it’s worth noting former Wyoming kicker John Hoyland was among the tryouts at rookie camp. The sixth-round pick will need to earn the kicking job.
4. John Harbaugh had Malaki Starks break the post-practice huddle, which speaks to the high expectations the head coach has for the rookie safety. Admittedly surprised, Starks said he was honored to do it and later mentioned how he’s been in contact with Kyle Hamilton and fellow Georgia product Roquan Smith.
5. I doubt I could recall a single meaningful observation from rookie camps over the years, but Starks and Green stood out and moved differently than the rest of the pack. That’s exactly what you expect to see with most rookie camp participants unlikely to carve out NFL careers.
6. With Patrick Mekari and Josh Jones leaving as free agents, the Joseph Noteboom signing addresses the need for a veteran swing tackle behind Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten. Entering his age-30 season, Noteboom carries experience at four offensive line spots, but multiple injuries have taken a toll.
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7. We learned third-round offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. is recovering from a shoulder injury that’s likely to keep him sidelined until the start of training camp. Whether Jones stays at right tackle or moves to guard as many anticipate, his absence was more reason to add Noteboom.
8. Aeneas Peebles was named after Hall of Fame defensive back Aeneas Williams and carries the nickname “Fub” because he was “fat and chubby” as a baby. We’ll see what kind of impact the sixth-round defensive lineman makes, but those are good backstories.
9. Though you can always add depth anywhere, the only glaring roster need at this point is adding a run-stopping defensive tackle in the wake of Michael Pierce’s retirement. Peebles doesn’t really fit that description, but finding a viable option between now and September shouldn’t be too difficult.
10. Of the 17 undrafted signings officially announced Sunday, the Ravens added four offensive linemen and two inside linebackers to the mix. But with Eric DeCosta drafting six players over the final two rounds, it remains to be seen whether any rookie free agent has a realistic path to a spot.
11. Among the tryout players was former Virginia Tech quarterback and local product Collin Schlee, but the Ravens not signing a rookie quarterback is a positive for 2024 sixth-round pick Devin Leary. This is a big spring and summer for his development trying to become an NFL backup somewhere.
12. With the 2025 schedule to be announced May 14, plans for joint practices will come into focus. Harbaugh said the Ravens have had discussions with Tampa Bay and Washington as well as other possible opponents. These practices carry more value with established veterans no longer playing in preseason games.
