Ravens' 30 most important players: Teddye Buchanan lands at No. 26

The Baltimore Ravens’ 2026 priorities feature a key question at inside linebacker as second-year player Teddye Buchanan enters at No. 26 on the team’s “30 Most Important Ravens” countdown. Buchanan’s recovery and his eventual role next to Roquan Smith are central because the second linebacker spot has remained unsettled. Baltimore expects his return to influence how much pressure and coverage responsibilities fall on Trenton Simpson and the rest of the depth group. At age 23 with two NFL seasons, Buchanan carries a $1.23 million cap hit for 2026. He showed starter-level trust early in 2025 after a Week 2 role, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for October and producing 91 tackles, five tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and 0.5 sacks before suffering a torn ACL in Week 15 versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Reuters reported his 651 defensive snaps reflected that he was playing meaningful downs. His health could restore speed and stability to Baltimore’s second level.