This is the 10th part of the offseason series that is focusing on the Baltimore Ravens' position groups as they continue organized team activities (OTAs). This post will look at the Ravens' safeties.
Returning: Will Hill* (restricted free agent), Matt Elam, Terrence Brooks, Anthony Levine, Brynden Trawick
Newcomers: Kendrick Lewis* (free agent from Texans), Nick Perry (undrafted rookie).
Departures: Darian Stewart (free agent signed with Broncos), Jeromy Miles (free agent, unsigned)
Roster spots likely available: Five or six
Competition: Elam vs. Hill and Lewis. After team officials challenged Elam this offseason, the Ravens are giving the struggling 2013 first-round pick an opportunity to redeem himself. In the first two weeks of OTAs, Elam has been rotating with Hill and Lewis with the first-team defense. It's a strong likelihood that Hill and Lewis are the starting safeties in Week 1. Lewis was a rare unrestricted free-agent signing this offseason (three years, $5.4 million), and Hill is considered "light years ahead" of where he was last season when he took Elam's starting job at midseason. Still, this shows the Ravens are giving Elam a chance to compete and they haven't written him off like much of the team's fan base.
Outlook: The addition of Lewis was key because the Ravens haven't had a true center fielder at safety since Ed Reed in 2012. He isn't a Pro Bowl defender, but he should fit what Baltimore needs in the secondary. The Ravens also got Lewis at a good value. Hill was an impact player after returning from his six-game suspension. He has stayed out of trouble with the Ravens, and he has a shot at staying with the team long-term if he repeats what he did last season. After taking over as the starter, Hill led the Ravens' defensive backs with 37 tackles over the past eight games. Brooks has made a surprisingly fast recovery from knee surgery in December. He has been participating in drills in OTAs, and he could add depth to the secondary and special teams. Levine, who switched back from cornerback, Trawick and Perry are battling for the last one or two spots.
* Projected starter
Previous offseason reviews: Quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, wide receivers, offensive line, defensive line, inside linebackers, outside linebackers and cornerbacks
