The Ravens gave linebacker Teddye Buchanan a tough assignment last year when the fourth-round pick out of Cal was given a full-time starting role by the second game of his rookie campaign. Buchanan answered the call to action admirably up until he tore his ACL in a Week 15 trip to Cincinnati. According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, new head coach Jesse Minter informed the media that Buchanan is “really far ahead of schedule” in his recovery.
Before tearing his ACL, the former Golden Bear took quick to the task of manning the front seven next to All-Pro teammate Roquan Smith. Smith was criticized at times for not having a stereotypically impactful season in Baltimore this year. Though he led the team in tackles, Smith recorded his lowest tackle total in seven years, forced no fumbles, and recorded zero sacks or interceptions for the first time in his career. Partially, his numbers lacked due to an injury that held him out for two games, but also, Smith found himself painted into a more conservative role this year as injuries handicapped the defense’s roster around him.
Buchanan was one of several young or backup players in Baltimore that were forced to step up to fill a bigger role. The team had hoped to see former Clemson third-round pick Trenton Simpson take the next step after he started 13 games in his sophomore campaign the year prior, but Buchanan replaced Simpson after the Ravens’ Week 1 defensive letdown in Buffalo. Simpson started the two games Smith missed in Weeks 5 & 6 then didn’t start another game until Buchanan was sidelined with his torn ACL.
Simpson did show improved quality of play in his reduced role, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), going from a grade that had him ranked 60th of 84 players graded at the position in 2024 to 27th of 88 last year. Even though Buchanan ranked lower — 49th of 88 — his composure as a Day 3 pick earning starting minutes made him the clear choice as the starter. Buchanan excelled in a role as a run-stopper over the course of his rookie year, and once healthy, the Ravens will hope to see him improve in coverage.
Buchanan wasn’t able to fully participate in the team’s Organized Team Activities, and Minter didn’t give an exact timeline for the second-year defender’s return, but he sounded optimistic. “Everybody kind of knows the timeline of when it happened, but the way that guy operates, the way that guy works, I don’t think there is a timeline for him,” Minter told the media. “He’s an impressive dude, in how he goes about his business, just as most of our guys are.”