The Ravens’ rookie class got thrown into the fire in Week 8, and the 36-10 loss to the Bills gave several first-year players a much bigger workload than anyone probably wanted. Baltimore dropped to 4-4, and with every other AFC North team above .500, the Ravens now sit last in the division heading into next week.
That chaos opened the door for a few rookies to log real NFL snaps across all three phases. First-round interior lineman Olaivavega Ioane missed his first game with an MCL sprain, while the only healthy scratches were fourth-round wide receiver Elijah Sarratt and fifth-round cornerback Chandler Rivers. Fifth-round running back Adam Randall still wasn’t activated from short-term injured reserve in his fourth week of eligibility, and seventh-round defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny remains on the practice squad without an elevation.
The most dramatic rookie storyline belonged to undrafted quarterback Joe Fagnano, who had spent the first seven games as the emergency No. 3.
That changed fast when both veteran quarterbacks went down, forcing him into the game on the offense’s second drive of the second quarter. He opened with back-to-back completions of 10-plus yards, then the night turned messy, with pass protection breaking down around him.
Even so, Fagnano showed the same toughness that helped him win a roster spot in the preseason. He was sacked three times and eventually left with an ankle injury, but he kept battling through a rough debut.
He finished 10-of-21 for 91 passing yards and threw an ill-advised interception on a tipped pass while staring down his target. His best throw came on a 22-yard completion to Rashod Bateman on a key third down in the third quarter, a throw he made with anticipation before taking a hit from Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver that added 15 yards after the catch.
Joe Fagnano with a very nice anticipation throw outside the numbers here. If he can make this throw, he can make all the throws. Give him protection and he'll be just fine. pic.twitter.com/CuEoaASCbq
On defense, second-rounder Mike Green saw the kind of snap jump many expected after Baltimore lost sack leader and run defender Tavius Robinson to a season-ending pectoral injury. Green played 35 defensive snaps, a career high, and that was 42.7% of the team total.
He helped keep Buffalo to 3.7 yards per rush by setting the edge and forcing runs back inside, and he also assisted on a stop of Josh Allen on a quarterback sneak for no gain on third and short. According to Pro Football Focus, Green graded as the Ravens’ highest rookie defender and second-highest overall at 71.8.
Decade long starter in the NFL pic.twitter.com/Kje0Z148Lh
The third-rounder didn’t have many chances in the passing game because of all the quarterback turnover, but he made his lone target count. He caught it for 13 yards and a first down before being pushed after helping move the ball deep into the red zone to the Buffalo seven-yard line.
Matt Hibner, the fourth-rounder, played the second-fewest offensive snaps of his season in his second game back from a hand injury. He was targeted as a receiver for the first time in his last three appearances, though he didn’t come down with a catch. As a blocker, his day was uneven, but he did help spring Derrick Henry on the Ravens’ only touchdown of the game while missing on other insert blocks.
Nice cleanup block by Matt Hibner, giving Derrick Henry room to cut back for the TD. pic.twitter.com/fdrWadzTxp
Fifth-round wideout LaJohntay Wester kept his recent streak alive despite seeing his fewest offensive snaps since Week 2 for the second straight week. He caught one of two targets for 15 yards on a diving grab for Fagnano’s first completion, and he was overthrown by Tyler Huntley on his first target.
Wester has now recorded at least one catch in four straight games. PFF credited him with an 84.7 overall grade, making him the Ravens’ highest-graded rookie and overall offensive player.
Ryan Eckley also turned in a strong day in the punting game. He punted five times for 249 yards, averaged a season-best 49.8 yards per punt, and had a long of 62, which matched his season high. He didn’t have a touchback and pinned Buffalo inside its own 20 twice.
You have to look pretty hard for a silver lining with the Ravens right now. But I’ve found one.
With Lamar Jackson out, we’re likely to punt more.That’ll give Ryan Eckley the reps he needs to settle in and find the consistency his game needs to truly succeed at the NFL level! pic.twitter.com/V4pcUK5ZZT
The final rookie note came from an undrafted defender who doubled his previous career high with 34 defensive snaps, good for 41.5% of the team total. He also logged 22 special teams snaps, the most among Ravens rookies and the second-most on the team. He has upside.
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