Ravens could strike in free agency’s second wave to add secondary help

The Baltimore Ravens released Marcus Williams after three seasons with the team. Baltimore signed him in 2022, hoping he’d bring stability to the safety position and pair him up with then-rookie Kyle Hamilton. Since then, Hamilton has become one of the best safeties in the NFL, while Williams was plagued with injuries and inconsistent play. In 2024, Ar’Darius Washington emerged at the safety position.

With Williams gone, Baltimore needs depth at the position. Overall, the team will need defensive backs through free agency and the draft. Looking at what’s available in free agency, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report examined the best fits for some of the remaining players. For Baltimore, Knox believes Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon would be a strong addition to the Ravens’ defense.

Knox lays out Blackmon's potential fit in Baltimore:

"Pro Football Focus graded the 26-year old 23rd among all safeties in coverage but only 148th in run defense last season. Blackmon is young and possesses positional versatility—he's played free safety, in the box and in the slot—but he may be best as a schemed-specific coverage safety."

"The Ravens would also be a strong fit for Blackmon, who could rotate with Kyle Hamilton and Ar'Darius Washington at safety and in subpackages. Baltimore has regularly utilized a three-safety rotation and recently dumped Marcus Williams from its roster."

The former 2020 third-round pick out of Utah graded 48th out of 170 qualified safeties by Pro Football Focus at 69.3%. Blackmon will turn 27 this season, and after spending the first five years of his career in Indianapolis, he may be looking for a fresh start elsewhere. While he struggles against the run, Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr could still put him in a position to succeed.

Blackmon’s coverage ability should help Baltimore’s defense against top quarterbacks in the AFC, such as Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen.

The team's passing defensive numbers were a bit inflated due to their disastrous start, but Blackmon's coverage skills would instantly be beneficial in Orr's defense nonetheless. The addition of senior secondary coach Chuck Pagano could help his development too.

Adding his depth alongside Hamilton and Washington would bolster the unit, especially with Hamilton entering his fourth season as a complete safety. Baltimore needs help at the position, and Blackmon would be a solid addition.