Ar’Darius Washington

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/21/25

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Philadelphia Eagles

Among literal free agent additions, LS Zach Triner is the only signing on the list. The veteran brings 84 games of experience to Denver, most of which came during a long stint with the Buccaneers. Triner will likely be competing with Mitchell Fraboni for the team’s long snapper role in 2025. As Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette reports, Triner inked a non-guaranteed one-year deal worth the league minimum ($1.17MM).

A handful of teams designated players as their International Player Pathway program participants. Each qualifying team receives one roster exemption from the start of their offseason program to final preseason cuts. Today’s commitments include Thomas Yassmin (Australia), Bayron Matos (Dominican Republic), and Laekin Vakalahi (Australia).

Ravens Draft Rumors: Edge, Kicker, DL, CB, S

The Ravens are well-known for their draft approach of taking the best players available regardless of position, though they’re not above taking a player at a position of need if they believe it’s at a good value. That being said, Tony Pauline of sportskeeda claimed today that Baltimore is “believed to be in the market for an edge rusher in the first round.”

The Ravens aren’t likely to reach for a player at a position at which they’ve already spent a 2024 third-round pick, 2023 fourth-round pick, 2022 second-round pick, and 2021 first-round pick. Because of this, I would think that this would only be true if a top-ranked pass rusher falls to them in the back half of the first round.

Obviously, a player like Abdul Carter isn’t expected to be around by the 27th overall pick. After that, anything can happen, and while it might not be likely, it wouldn’t be a surprise if players like Shemar Stewart, Mike Green, or Mykel Williams were around that late. Options like Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Pearce are expected to be around in that range, and Baltimore could certainly pursue them, but only if they perceive them to be one of the top players available.

Here are notes on a few other positions of focus for Baltimore when next week’s draft occurs:

  • Ongoing legal issues with future Hall of Fame kicker Justin Tucker have the Ravens in an uncertain position on special teams for the first time since Tucker signed as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2012. As a result, Baltimore has been doing its research on kickers in this year’s draft class and could draft a kicker for the first time in their franchise’s history, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. The Ravens are the only team not to have drafted a kicker in the common draft era, and general manager Eric DeCosta admits “there’s no blueprint for finding a kicker.” If they find the right kicker at the right time, though, we could see the selection made. Two options on the table could be in-state rivals Andres Borregales out of Miami (FL) and Ryan Fitzgerald out of Florida State.
  • Following the retirement of Michael Pierce and the coming contract year for Travis Jones, defensive tackle is a position of need for Baltimore in this year’s draft. DeCosta confirmed as much, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, calling the position a priority. DeCosta called this year’s class fairly deep at defensive line and claimed “there’s an opportunity for (them) to get better” at the position.
  • Another position that DeCosta singled out was cornerback. After losing Brandon Stephens and Tre’Davious White to free agency, the team added Chidobe Awuzie. They also roster recent draft picks Jalyn Armour-Davis and T.J. Tampa as depth pieces. While DeCosta didn’t guarantee anything, he told the media that “it’s a pretty safe bet that the Ravens will be drafting at least one cornerback next week,” per Zrebiec. The team is likely to start Nate Wiggins and Awuzie on the outside with Marlon Humphrey manning the nickelback role, so they could look for an upgrade over Awuzie, but at the very least, adding depth is a necessity.
  • DeCosta didn’t mince words about the safety position either, per Zrebiec. Despite being “fairly confident” that Ar’Darius Washington will return after presumably signing his exclusive rights free agent tender, DeCosta said that it was “more than likely” that Baltimore would still add a safety in the draft, as well. Washington and Kyle Hamilton would return as starters from last year, but the only depth behind them currently are two rookies from last year, Sanoussi Kane (seventh round) and Beau Brade (undrafted).

Ravens Notes: Free Agency, Humphrey, Simpson, Washington

To little surprise, the Ravens have not been busy so far in free agency. Modest outside additions (DeAndre Hopkins, Cooper Rush, Chidobe Awuzie) have set the team up for adding further depth in the draft, but Baltimore has also shown interest in other moves recently.

The Ravens were “in on a lot of” interior offensive lineman in free agency, a league executive informed The Athletic’s Mike Sando (subscription required). Patrick Mekari – whose six-year Baltimore career included time at every O-line position – operated as the team’s starting left guard for much of 2024. The former UDFA landed a three-year Jaguars pact including $22.5MM in guarantees on the open market, creating a vacancy in the starting lineup.

Andrew Vorhees represents an in-house candidate to take on a first-team role at left guard. The opposite spot is occupied by converted tackle Daniel Faalele, who struggled early in the 2024 season in particular and finished with a PFF grade of just 60.5. While the center position is set for now (and quite possibly the long-term future) with Tyler Linderbaum, guard will be a spot to watch at the draft with respect to the Ravens.

The cornerback position is also one which saw Baltimore lose a starter in free agency. Brandon Stephens took a deal with the Jets, creating the need for a boundary replacement. Marlon Humphrey has seen time on the outside but also in the slot during his career, and it appears he is on track to stay inside for 2025. Head coach John Harbaugh said (via Sando’s colleague Jeff Zrebiec) he prefers Humphrey playing in the slot. If the four-time Pro Bowler is primarily used on the inside next season, that will leave 2024 first-rounder Nate Wiggins in place for first-team duties on the perimeter. Awuzie is a candidate for the other starting gig, although Baltimore could look to add a rookie as competition.

Baltimore’s inside linebackers group features the highest-paid player at the position in Roquan Smith but a question regarding who will start alongside him. Trenton Simpson opened the year in that capacity, but the 23-year-old struggled and did not handle a snap share above 44% from Week 12 onward. Harbaugh expects Simpson to again handle a starting role at least on early downs in 2025 (h/t Zrebiec), but to no surprise he added Baltimore will make at least one more addition at the linebacker spot.

The Ravens saw Patrick Queen depart for Pittsburgh on the open market last offseason, and the Steelers similarly signed Malik Harrison in free agency this March. Baltimore also saw special teamer Chris Board depart, although his third phase contributions will be replaced by free agent signing Jake HummelJust like guard and cornerback, though, linebacker will be an area to watch as the Ravens weigh their remaining options in free agency as well as the draft.

The team’s defensive turnaround midway through the 2024 campaign was driven in part by the decision to insert safety Ar’Darius Washington into the starting lineup. The former UDFA made a case to remain a first-team option moving forward, and he was kept under team control when Baltimore placed the right of first refusal RFA tender on him. That will leave Washington in line for $3.26MM in 2025 compensation if he signs the tender, something he has until April 18 to do. Zrebiec writes no offer sheet signs have emerged to date regarding the 25-year-old, but he suggests the Ravens would prefer to retain Washington at a lower price than the tender value (subscription required).

Veteran Marcus Williams was benched midway through the season, and as expected he was released last month. Baltimore had already let go of Eddie Jackson by that point, so it would come as no surprise if safety was seen as a position of need early in the draft. Kyle Hamilton is among the Ravens’ most important players and will occupy one first-team spot moving forward, but it remains to be seen if Washington will do the same in 2025.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/12/25

As the 2025 league year begins, here are the Wednesday tender decisions involving restricted and exclusive rights free agents:

RFAs

Tendered:

Nontendered:

ERFAs

Tendered:

Nontendered:

The Ravens have discussed an extension with Washington, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec. For now, the safety is on Baltimore’s cap sheet at $3.26MM. A second-round tender would have cost the Ravens $5.35MM and brought back a second-round pick if the team did not match an offer sheet elsewhere. An unmatched Washington offer sheet now would not bring the Ravens any compensation. Washington started 10 games for the Ravens last season.

Ravens To Start S Ar’Darius Washington

The safety spot has seen plenty of developments this season for the Ravens, one in which the team has struggled against the pass. Veterans Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson have each seen time out of the lineup, and neither are in position to operate as a starter moving forward.

Williams was benched in Week 8, a move which appeared to mark an end to his time as a first-team option. The 28-year-old instead reprised his starting role for each of the following two games. Jackson, meanwhile, was a healthy scratch for Sunday’s contest against the Steelers. Williams logged just one defensive snap during the loss.

In the wake of both players losing out on playing time, Ar’Darius Washington stepped into a starting role. The former UDFA was on the field for every defensive snap, forming a tandem on the backend with Kyle Hamilton. Washington has only five starts to his name across his four-year Baltimore tenure, but (in the wake of an increased workload being projected this summer) that figure is set to grow over the coming weeks.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh confirmed (via The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec) the “formula” at the safety spot moving forward will include Washington in the starting lineup alongside Hamilton. If both members of that pairing remain healthy, Williams (who has two more years left on his deal but no guaranteed salary over that time) and Jackson (a pending free agent) will be slated for special teams responsibilities down the stretch.

The Ravens did not allow a touchdown on Sunday, but they still sit last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (285). The secondary received an addition at the trade deadline in the form of cornerback Tre’Davious White, but the team’s play at safety will be key in any potential turnaround on defense. Washington will get the opportunity to solidify a first-team role over an extended period having already set a new personal mark in tackles (36) along with recording his first career interception in 2024.

The TCU product is a pending restricted free agent, and strong play during the rest of the season could confirm his status as at least a candidate for a notable RFA tender this offseason. Washington could play his way into a long-term Ravens commitment depending on his performances over the coming weeks.

CB Rumors: Bennett, Steelers, Ravens, Jags

After a part-time role as a rookie, Jakorian Bennett appears close to securing a starting job. The Raiders have pitted the second-year player against veteran Brandon Facyson, but a gap appears between the two as preseason play begins. While more evaluation time remains, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur classifies Bennett as well ahead of Facyson to start on the outside opposite Jack Jones (subscription required). The Raiders have made some changes to their CB group from last year, giving up on Marcus Peters before the 2023 season ended and letting four-year contributor Amik Robertson join the Lions in free agency.

Although Las Vegas drafted CBs in the fourth and seventh rounds, Bennett and Facyson are the primary players competing for the perimeter job to join Jones and slot man Nate Hobbs. Bennett logged 360 defensive snaps, starting four games, as a rookie but impressed during training camp. Not viewed as likely to pursue a veteran addition here, the Raiders appear set to count on the 2023 fourth-rounder.

Here is the latest from the cornerback ranks:

  • The Steelers brought back Cameron Sutton but saw him hit with an eight-game suspension for an offseason domestic violence arrest, leaving Donte Jackson as the obvious Joey Porter Jr. sidekick for at least the season’s first half. The team could soon be in the corner market, per ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano, who notes the lack of a solidified slot presence as another reason for such an effort. Releasing Patrick Peterson this offseason, the Steelers did not re-sign veteran slot Chandon Sullivan. Rookie UDFA Beanie Bishop has, however, shown promise with first-team slot reps, according to The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo. The 5-foot-9 product, who attended three colleges (Western Kentucky, Minnesota, West Virginia), led Division I-FBS in pass breakups (20) last season. Barring an addition, Bishop looks to have a decent chance to line up alongside Porter and Jackson. He has worked with the first-string defense extensively during camp.
  • Former Steelers CB regular Arthur Maulet is set to miss regular-season time due to a knee injury. While John Harbaugh does not expect this issue to threaten too much of the veteran’s season, the Ravens will need another answer. As of now, fourth-year UDFA Ar’Darius Washington appears to be the pack leader. After a chest injury cost Washington most of last season, he returned late in the campaign via IR activation. Despite playing all of eight regular-season games in three seasons, Washington has earned the confidence of Ravens coaches and looks to be the answer at nickel while Maulet recovers, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec notes.
  • No cornerback who signed an extension this offseason received a higher AAV than Tyson Campbell, whose base-value number checks in at $19.13MM, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. That comes in ahead of Jaylon Johnson and L’Jarius Sneed, though the did better on guarantees at signing than the Jaguars CB, who scored $31.4MM up front. Though, an $11.5MM Campbell 2026 option bonus will become fully guaranteed in 2025, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes. Campbell’s 2026 base salary ($16.16MM) also shifts from an injury guarantee at signing to a full guarantee in 2025. The fourth-year defender also will see $8.84MM of his $15MM 2027 base salary shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee in 2026. The increasingly popular rolling guarantee structure represents a player-friendly arrangement for Campbell, making his 11th-place ranking in terms of full guarantees deceiving. If on Jacksonville’s roster in March 2026, Campbell will see $53.4MM guaranteed.

Ravens S Ar’Darius Washington In Line For Increased Role

Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton remain in place atop the safety depth chart for the Ravens, but Geno Stone‘s departure has created a vacancy at the position. While outside additions have been a consideration, the team’s in-house candidates could provide them with a suitable replacement.

The top name in that regard is Ar’Darius WashingtonThe former UDFA has seen his career slowed down by injuries, but he began the 2023 campaign in line for a notable defensive workload. Washington suffered a chest injury which ended his season in Week 2, paving the way for Stone to cement a notable role even when both Williams and Hamilton were healthy. The latter logged snaps at a variety of positions last year, and maintaining his versatility moving forward will require a consistent third safety.

“Ar’Darius has looked really good. I feel great about him,” head coach John Harbaugh said of the 24-year-old’s prospects for an increase role (via the team’s website). “He’s already established himself. He’s played in the games – every game he’s played in – he’s played well. He’s looked great in practice, and let’s get him out there and get him in some more games. That’s the goal.”

Washington has made only eight regular season appearances to date, battling a foot injury which ended his rookie campaign and a number of more established players being ahead of him on the depth chart. The TCU alum has also seen time as a slot corner, a role which has a number of candidates but lacks a full-time starter at this point. Baltimore has veteran Arthur Maulet along with recent draftees Damarion Williams and Jalyn Armour-Davis as options to see a heavy usage rate in the slot.

Washington has also seen time there this spring, but the No. 3 safety role could allow him to showcase his defensive abilities if the Ravens’ scheme remains dependent on using Hamilton in a variety of ways. Training camp will be critical in sorting out Baltimore’s secondary (which also includes rookie safeties Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade), but for now signs point to Washington having the lead on the largest defensive workload of his career, something which could take the Ravens out of the running for a veteran addition later this summer.

Ravens S Kyle Hamilton Underwent Minor Surgery

One of the newest defensive stars to wear the purple and black, young Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton recently underwent a minor surgical procedure, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. The purpose of the surgery was to remove some “loose bodies” from the first-team All-Pro’s elbow.

Hamilton has a bit of injury experience in his short NFL career but not anything that has held him out for too long. Twice, knee injuries have flared up on a knee that bothered him at Notre Dame, as well. He also underwent surgery following his rookie season for an injury to the hand and wrist area. He missed a single game as a rookie as well as the final two games of the team’s most recent campaign, at which point Baltimore’s postseason qualification was already determined.

After a rookie season that saw Hamilton rank as the NFL’s top safety, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the Ravens made Hamilton a major focal point of their 2023 defense. He started at safety alongside Geno Stone as Marcus Williams spent six of the team’s first nine games injured.

Realizing that they had three viable starters at safety, Baltimore began to take advantage of Hamilton’s versatility, deploying him all over the defense. According to PFF, Hamilton spent 301 snaps at safety, 465 in the slot, 236 in the box, five at cornerback, and even 58 snaps on the defensive line, very literally covering the gamut of defensive positions. With an increased responsibility, Hamilton still graded highly with PFF, ranking as the sixth-best player at his position in 2023.

With Stone now in Cincinnati, the Ravens may have to adjust how they utilize Hamilton this season. Hamilton and Williams will continue to start at safety. In order to deploy Hamilton how they did last year, though, the team will need to find another quality starter at the position. Fourth-year undrafted safety Ar’Darius Washington could be a solution. After two years in a mostly reserve role, Washington was expected to make a much bigger impact on the defense at nickelback in 2023, even earning his first career start before suffering a season-ending chest injury in Week 2 of the season.

After Washington, two rookies could potentially make an impact. The team drafted Sanoussi Kane out of Purdue in the seventh round of this year’s draft. While not too much of a ballhawk, Kane is a physical defender who can make an impact as a strong safety covering the run and tight ends.

There’s been more buzz, though, about undrafted rookie signee Beau Brade out of Maryland. Brade was projected to be an early Day 3 draft pick but somehow fell off the board altogether. Baltimore took advantage and signed him as a free agent. Brade boasts some versatility to be interchangeable at the safety and nickel positions and could push Kane and even Washington for a bigger role that allows Hamilton to roam like he did last year.

The recovery for Hamilton’s recent procedure is approximated at two to three weeks. While he’ll miss the remainder of any physical activities before the team’s summer break, the Ravens are confident that he’ll be back by training camp.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/14/24

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Ravens Activate Two From IR, Sign RB Melvin Gordon Back To PS

Ravens fans have been sitting on their hands for nearly three weeks now since the team clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC and began resting its starters in anticipation for a playoff run. The wait ends tomorrow with a matchup against the visiting Texans, and the Ravens made a number of roster moves in order to prepare for the divisional-round game.

First, Baltimore brought in some reinforcements from injured reserve. While this move has been expected for some days now, it’s been unclear who exactly would be filling the team’s recent roster vacancies until today. Things became more clear when it was announced that star tight end Mark Andrews, who had been designated for return from IR, would not be available to play against the Texans. With that decision made for them, the Ravens went forward with the activations of wide receiver Devin Duvernay and defensive back Ar’Darius Washington from IR.

Duvernay adds wide receiver depth on the offense but mostly serves as the team’s return specialist. A former All-Pro as a return man, Duvernay was the only Raven returning any kickoffs or punts up until his injury. With his replacement, Tylan Wallace, declared out for Saturday with a knee injury, returning duties will fall directly back on Duvernay’s shoulders.

Washington, a former undrafted safety out of TCU, spent most of his first two years in the NFL as a special teamer and practice squad defender. The team was expecting a big 2023 season out of Washington after he opened the year as the Ravens’ starting nickel cornerback, but a chest injury landed him on IR after only Week 2, and he’s been out ever since. With star cornerback Marlon Humphrey out for tomorrow’s game with a calf injury, the depth Washington adds at cornerback will be welcome.

Additionally, running back Melvin Gordon, one of the players removed from the 53-man roster in order to make room for Duvernay, Washington, and Dalvin Cook, will remain in Baltimore under a new practice squad deal. The veteran rusher played a prominent role in the team’s Week 18 game as the Ravens attempted to rest Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, but a lost fumble early in the game forced the team not to take any chances. They’ve now subbed Cook in for Gordon on the active roster, but Gordon will now be available in case of emergency off of the practice squad after clearing waivers.

Lastly, the Ravens announced their standard gameday practice squad elevations for tomorrow’s game. Wide receiver Dan Chisena and linebacker Josh Ross will suit up with the active roster against the Texans. Houston, on the other hand, made the decision not to elevate any practice squad players for the second week in a row.