Baltimore rookie Teddye Buchanan has assumed a starting role on the Ravens’ defense and earned the praise of Roquan Smith
Baltimore selected rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan in the fourth round of the 2025 draft, and the former All-ACC performer started his first NFL game on Sunday when the Ravens defeated the Browns 41-17 in Week 2 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Roquan Smith had 10 tackles on 85 snaps in the opener, but the linebacker battle opposite the All-Pro was the competition that ultimately changed hands. Buchanan had four tackles in the loss to Buffalo, while Trenton Simpson had one tackle on a night where they split snaps, with the former Clemson linebacker getting three fewer.
In the Week 2 matchup against Cleveland, Buchanan got the start at weakside linebacker, logging six tackles, while Simpson saw his snaps decrease from Week 1. The Ravens are finishing up preparation for Monday night against the Detroit Lions, and following the Friday practice, Roquan Smith raved about Buchanan’s penchant for correcting his mistakes.
Baltimore selected Buchanan with the 129th pick in last April’s NFL draft. Buchanan played in 36 games at UC-Davis before transferring to the ACC.
Buchanan was a first-team All-ACC performer who led Cal with 114 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. He is the third player from Cal to get drafted by the Ravens, joining quarterback Kyle Boller (first round in 2003) and cornerback Marc Anthony (seventh round in 2013).
The former two-star prospect coming out of high school 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.
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