2. Ar’Darius Washington, S, Ravens
The competition for the Ravens’ backup safety jobs as heated up this summer with a number of intriguing candidates emerging as viable options.
Chuck Clark, DeShon Elliott, and Brandon Stephens are locks. Behind them, however, things get interesting.
Former seventh-round pick Geno Stone has made some plays this summer including a two-interception performance in the team’s preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints.
Undrafted rookie Ar’Darius Washington has also come on strong after a quiet spring and looks the part of the versatile playmaker the Ravens thought they were getting.
Even Nigel Warrior, a 2020 undrafted free agent who spent his entire rookie year on the practice squad, has worked hard to make a name for himself.
But of them all, Washington is the player that deserves a roster spot the most.
Washington may be small, but he makes up for it with his versatility. The former TCU star has excellent range for a safety and can also make plays down in the box, as evidenced by his forced fumble in the preseason opener.
He’s not afraid to lay the hit stick.
Assuming the Ravens carry five safeties (including veteran special teamer Anthony Levine), Washington has a good chance to be among those who make the cut.
He just brings something to the table that no other player on the roster can.