Will Another Team Steal Will Hill and Leave the Ravens With No Compensation?

Nov 9, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Will Hill (33) reacts after knocking down a pass against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens won 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Will Hill began working on rejuvenating his career in 2014 after a series of suspensions, his latest a six game ban served at the start of last season. Afterwards, Hill stepped right on the field for the Ravens and began steadily playing more snaps as each week of the regular season passed. He finished the season as Pro Football Focus’ 14th ranked safety, recording 42 tackles, 4 passes defensed, and one interception across 10 starts.

As one of the most physically talented safeties in the NFL, the 25 year old Hill has a bright future if he has truly put his past transgressions behind him. The Ravens certainly recognize that fact, but it also appears that they are rolling the dice on his actual value after Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported yesterday that the team has placed a low tender of $1.542 million on Hill.

If another team decides to make a contract offer, the Ravens still retain the ability to match it. The problem is, Will Hill was undrafted in 2012, so the Ravens would receive nothing if they decide not to match any offers. It appears that Ozzie and company are banking on the fact that Hill is still a big question mark in regards to his troubled past and they believe that no team is willing to take on that kind of financial risk.

With safety a very shallow position this offseason in both the draft and free agency, it isn’t outside the realm of possibility that another team shows interest in Hill. While restricted free agents rarely escape the teams that place tenders on them, it does occasionally happen, a la Andrew Hawkins last year. If Hill had at least gone a full season without showing up in the headlines, he might have a better shot at a big contract.

If Will Hill puts in a solid and drama free 2015, he’s probably as good as gone next offseason. If/when he signs his tender, he will be under a one year contract that will see him become an unrestricted free agent next year. And that will probably lead to a handsome payday from a team desperate for help in the secondary, a phenomenon we see from a handful of clubs every offseason.

Next: Ravens are sticking to their formula in free agency

More from Ebony Bird

Home/Ravens News