Ravens rookie edge rusher Mike Green said Sunday that it meant “a lot” to him that Baltimore selected him in the second round of last weekend’s NFL draft.

He cited the organization’s “culture” and past defensive legends Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs and called landing with the team a “blessing in disguise.”

The former Marshall standout, whom many projected to be a top-15 pick based on talent alone, also said it was difficult to have to wait until the second day of the draft to be chosen.

“Of course it’s tough, just knowing that you have first-round potential and just knowing that, regardless what team you was going to go to, you just wanted a chance to go in the first round,” he said Sunday at the team’s rookie minicamp, his first comments to reporters since Baltimore selected him 59th overall just over a week ago. “That was a goal that I set for myself. Didn’t really get to get that goal, but coming to the Ravens was a blessing in disguise.”

The reason that Green fell so far, however, is because of two previous sexual assault allegations against him.

At the NFL scouting combine in February, Green said one accusation stemmed from high school and the other was from an “anonymous report” at the University of Virginia. He was suspended by the Cavaliers in 2022, he said, before he transferred to Marshall before the 2023 season.

Green, who was not charged, denied the allegations at the combine and said he did “nothing wrong.”

Asked again about those allegations on Sunday, he declined to elaborate on them.

“I’m just focused right now on moving forward with my career at the Ravens,” he said. “I’m blessed to be here. It’s an honor, and I’m glad to see what the future might hold for me.”

The past, of course, is a big reason why he ended up with the Ravens.

Last week, NFL Network reported that several teams had taken Green off their draft boards entirely after his explanation for the allegations was “not satisfactory.” But Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta said he was “comfortable” with taking Green after meeting with him for 90 minutes during a predraft visit, and the organization did its due diligence on him.

“I would say that we investigated this situation very thoroughly,” DeCosta said after the second day of the draft. “We think he’s a talented player. We understand the severity of what these allegations were, of course, but doing our due diligence, we are comfortable with Mike.

“I think the best is yet to come with him.”

Green echoed similar sentiments.

He also said that every team he met with asked him about the allegations and that he was “completely open” about everything.

On the field, there have been few questions about Green’s ability.

He led the country in sacks (17) last season and fulfills a need for the Ravens, with outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy having just turned 34, Odafe Oweh in the final year of his contract after a career-high 10 sacks last season and little proven depth behind them.

Off it, Green said he has taken advantage of resources that helped him with the “mental aspect” as well, though he again did not share any details of the sexual assault allegations.

“I got through it,” Green said, “and this point forward, I’m just focused on moving on with my career with the Ravens.”

Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker @baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1.