Ebony Bird
FanSided

Analyzing Baltimore Ravens safeties post Earl Thomas release

By Chris Schisler

CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 10: Chuck Clark #36 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 10: Chuck Clark #36 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND – AUGUST 18: Safety DeShon Elliott #32 of the Baltimore Ravens trains during the Baltimore Ravens Training Camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on on August 18, 2020 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND – AUGUST 18: Safety DeShon Elliott #32 of the Baltimore Ravens trains during the Baltimore Ravens Training Camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on on August 18, 2020 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Strengths:

The Ravens have an established starter at strong safety and that’s Chuck Clark. While Clark will stay in his pegged position, he does offer some traits usually associated with the free safety. Clark is a football smart leader who will keep everyone on top of their game. This is a trait that earned Clark the green dot on his helmet last season so he could get the play-calls from Don Martindale. Assuming Elliott gets the start at the free safety spot the Ravens have two athletically well matched players.

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Elliott is more of a hybrid safety than a pure free safety. He’ll bring a nice mix of ball hawking skills and physicality to the defense. Versatility is one of the biggest strengths the Ravens have at this position group. While the back portion of the depth chart should get involved in special teams, all the players here are tough.enough to play in the box and have ball skills. Levine Sr. has been in Baltimore since 2012. He’s never been a star, yet he’s always provided a good value to the team.

The Ravens already know what Clark and Levine Sr. bring to the defense. Elliott had nine picks at Texas. Warrior had five interceptions at Tennessee, with four of them coming in the 2019 season. Stone had six interceptions and four forced fumbles in three seasons with the Iowa Hawkeyes. The departure of Thomas really increased Warrior’s chances of getting on the roster for the season opener.

Elliott is unproven, but the fanbase has never really stopped buzzing about him. In his final season at Texas, Elliott had six interceptions, two defensive touchdowns one and a half sacks and 63 total tackles. In a very small sample size he has shown the Ravens that he has the athletic traits that made him standout coming into the draft. At the NCAA level he was a play-maker and this is an exciting chance for him to start making plays at the NFL level. If Elliott stays healthy, the departure of Thomas could prove to be a positive.

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