The Baltimore Ravens defense is expected to be among the best in the league and a large part of that could be down to their star power at the safety position. While the national media will focus on the likes of Roquan Smith and Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens quietly have one of the strongest safety tandems in all of football.
Across the NFL, the safety position is quickly declining in value. Elite talents at the position like Jessie Bates III have been allowed to walk while others such as Budda Baker are struggling to get the extensions they want. However, in Baltimore, safeties have been as important as ever.
While the depth chart at the safety position is largely set, it is a good time to have a look at how Mike MacDonald will make use of his diverse and versatile safety group.
Previewing The Baltimore Ravens Safeties
The Ravens’ Starting Safeties
Marcus Williams
The Ravens signed Marcus Williams to a big-money deal in the 2022 off-season. He started the season off excellently and was, arguably, Baltimore’s best defender for the opening stretch of games. His playmaking ability shined through as he made three interceptions in the first two games.
Unfortunately, Williams suffered a wrist injury that knocked him out for seven weeks of the season. He returned for the stretch of the season, helping Baltimore’s defense rise to new heights. However, it was clear that, after his injury, he was not as impactful as he was during the start of the season.
Williams finished the year with a very respectable 73.9 PFF grade. He will, once again, be Baltimore’s top safety and will hope to find the same form that he started 2022 with. Should Williams play a full season, there is a good chance that he makes the Pro Bowl. He could also potentially prove his status as one of the league’s best safeties.
Kyle Hamilton
Kyle Hamilton was a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite being touted as a top-five prospect, Hamilton’s poor athletic testing ultimately condemned him to the middle of the first round.
The former Notre Dame safety’s rookie season started off with some early struggles. Missed tackles, loose coverage and an inability to stick with the NFL tempo resulted in his benching. However, he fought his way back into the starting lineup after his game-winning forced fumble against the New England Patriots.
There was no looking back after that play against the Patriots. Williams’ injury meant that Hamilton secured more starting reps too. The rookie flourished in his expanded role and found even more success as the team’s primary slot corner by the end of the season.
Hamilton’s biggest asset is his versatility. While he is penciled in as a starting safety, MacDonald will want to use Hamilton all over the place. Like in 2022, there is a high chance that Hamilton will find himself in the slot at times. However, MacDonald may also find other creative positions for Hamilton to disguise Baltimore’s coverage. The team’s deep safety room gives MacDonald even more freedom to keep Hamilton fluid.
KYLE HAMILTON IS A MENACE 😈 pic.twitter.com/vBX2KTYuaP
— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) September 18, 2022
The Rotational Starters
Geno Stone
Despite a very quiet early free agency period, the Ravens prioritized the re-signing of Geno Stone. Why? Because Stone was quietly an integral part of their defense last year. When Williams went down, it was Stone and Chuck Clark who stepped up.
With Clark traded to the New York Jets, it is expected that Stone will be the team’s ‘first backup’. He is a prototypical safety who plays decently in coverage and tackles well. When Hamilton is rotated to other positions, it is likely that Stone will pair with Williams on the back end of Baltimore’s defense. Stone will also see action on special teams as a tried-and-tested special teams ace.
Brandon Stephens
Without Clark, the Ravens needed a fourth safety with veteran experience. Up stepped Brandon Stephens. Stephens is a hybrid defensive back who has experience playing cornerback and safety. Given the youth that Baltimore have at corner, they made the decision to transition Stephens to safety for this season.
Stephens will likely be the team’s fourth safety entering 2023. If an injury occurs ahead of him, he will definitely see the field. He may also find some playing time in the slot.
Depth Pieces
Ar’Darius Washington
Ar’Darius Washington joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He was one of the most intriguing UDFA additions as many were surprised that he went undrafted. His time with Baltimore has been marred by injuries so far. However, 2023 could be the first year that Washington sees consistent time.
The former TCU defensive back is an undersized safety with excellent tackling. He is best suited to being a box safety, something that would give the Ravens a different dynamic. If Washington performs during preseason, there is a chance that MacDonald will find some unique ways to deploy Washington. However, given that he is the fifth-choice safety, he will need to carve out a role on special teams first.
Jaquan Amos
Jaquan Amos was a late undrafted free agent signing. Out of Ball State, the 6’1” 200-lbs safety made 95 tackles and defended five passes in his final collegiate year. Despite going undrafted, Amos had an impressive Pro Day, which piqued the interest of many NFL scouts.
As an undrafted free agent, making the final 53-man roster would already be a huge achievement for Amos. Unless the Ravens have an injury-stricken year, do not expect Amos to see the field. He will most likely be reduced to the practice squad for now, especially considering the talent ahead of him.
#BallState Safety/Nickel Jaquan Amos impressed me throughout the season with his versatility and playmaking. Per @GusMartin_SP, Amos is going to the #Colts local day and set to meet with the #Eagles later this month.
Former #Villanova standout as well.pic.twitter.com/N0MPJpe7tH https://t.co/CtVPv1LFGF
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) April 2, 2023
Could The Ravens Add More Safeties?
Given that Baltimore already have six safeties on the roster, further additions seem unlikely. Some fans remain keen on Adrian Amos. Amos visited the Ravens in March, but no deal came to fruition. The former Green Bay Packers safety was born in Maryland, making a move to the Ravens a homecoming for him.
The fact that the Ravens have not struck a deal for Amos yet suggests that any interest has died down. The team already have multiple rotational starters at the position. Signing Amos would mean that the team would need to get rid of one of their current safeties.
The other way that Baltimore would feasibly add a safety would be if one of their current cornerbacks transitioned to safety. Just like Stephens did this off-season, there is a chance that another of Baltimore’s cornerbacks could make the switch.
However, it does not feel as if any other cornerback is as suited to the switch as Stephens was. Jalyn Armour-Davis’ rookie struggles have been a cause for concern. However, he does not have the strength or tackling ability to play safety in Baltimore’s system.
Trayvon Mullen would be another candidate. Mullen had a horrific stint on the Arizona Cardinals last year. He joined Baltimore towards the end of the season and has been with the team since. His severe dip in athleticism could be a reason to move him to safety. However, Mullen showed some flashes of good play at cornerback with the Las Vegas Raiders, making this unlikely. The Ravens are also probably keen to keep some veteran presence at cornerback.
Main Photo: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
