OWINGS MILLS — Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta lauded the team’s talent at safety, especially with the emergence of Kyle Hamilton, who was named to the NFL’s All-Pro team in just his second year.
The Ravens also signed Marcus Williams before the 2022 season after five productive seasons in New Orleans. Williams, however, has missed 13 regular-season games over the past two years because of various injuries.
Fourth-year player Geno Stone became one of the top playmakers on the defense when Williams was sidelined. Stone finished second in the NFL with seven interceptions and that has put him in a position for a potentially big payday in the free-agent market.
DeCosta essentially conceded that Stone has played his last snaps in Baltimore, but he is confident the team can absorb that potential loss.
“We’re fortunate that we have some good safety depth, and I’m not really sure exactly what that means for Geno and the Ravens, but regardless, I know he’s going to be a great pro,” DeCosta said. “If he doesn’t come back and play with us, he’s going to be a great player for somebody else, and I would expect him to have a great career.”
The Ravens likely need to add more players at safety this offseason.
Ar’Darius Washington is still on the roster but he has been placed on injured reserve in two of his first three seasons in the NFL. The Ravens also have Andrew Adams and Christian Matthew, who were both on the practice squad last year and could play bigger roles in 2024.
Beyond those players, the Ravens might have a couple of cornerbacks who can shift to the safety position.
DeCosta also has had success in the NFL draft with finding safeties. DeCosta could perhaps find another player like Stone — a seventh-round pick — in the later rounds.
Whoever the Ravens add this offseason, Stone will be missed if he does depart .
“Geno might be the best seventh-round pick that we’ve ever had – playmaker, attitude, special teams,” DeCosta said. “[He had] just an excellent season [in 2023]. He has been cut, been brought back. Just, I love his cerebral nature, [and] I love his attitude on the field. He fancies himself an overachiever; I love that about him. He’s put himself in an awesome position.”
