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.<\/p>\n
Across the NFL, the safety position is quickly declining in value. Elite talents at the position like Jessie Bates III<\/a> have been allowed to walk while others such as Budda Baker<\/a> are struggling to get the extensions they want. However, in Baltimore, safeties have been as important as ever.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s best defender for the opening stretch of games. His playmaking ability shined through as he made three interceptions in the first two games.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Williams finished the year with a very respectable 73.9 PFF grade<\/a>. He will, once again, be Baltimore\u2019s 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\u2019s best safeties.<\/p>\n Kyle Hamilton was a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite being touted as a top-five prospect, Hamilton\u2019s poor athletic testing ultimately condemned him to the middle of the first round.<\/p>\n The former Notre Dame safety\u2019s 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n There was no looking back after that play against the Patriots. Williams\u2019 injury meant that Hamilton secured more starting reps too. The rookie flourished in his expanded role and found even more success as the team\u2019s primary slot corner by the end of the season.<\/p>\n Hamilton\u2019s 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\u2019s coverage. The team\u2019s deep safety room gives MacDonald even more freedom to keep Hamilton fluid.<\/p>\n KYLE HAMILTON IS A MENACE \ud83d\ude08 pic.twitter.com\/vBX2KTYuaP<\/a><\/p>\n — PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) September 18, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nPreviewing The Baltimore Ravens Safeties<\/h2>\n
The Ravens\u2019 Starting Safeties<\/h3>\n
Marcus Williams<\/h4>\n
Kyle Hamilton<\/h4>\n
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