The Baltimore Ravens held rookie minicamp from May 3 to 5 and will transition into Phase 3. In Phase 3, the team will partake in voluntary organized team activities (OTAs), which will be held on May 27 to 29, June 3, 5-6, and 9-12. Once OTAs finish, the Ravens will transition into mandatory minicamp, which goes on from June 17 to 19.
One position to keep an eye on during the spring and summer is the safety position. Highlighting one player to pay attention to is their former undrafted free agent.
The Baltimore Ravens DB is poised for an important role in 2025
The Baltimore Ravens’ defensive back, Ar’Darius Washington, had a significant role on defense later in the year, taking over for Marcus Williams as the starting safety and getting the nod in their final ten regular-season games. Washington recorded 64 tackles, five TFLs, one sack, two interceptions, eight pass deflections, and one forced fumble, representing 727 snaps in 17 games and ten starts. He gave up a 62.7% completion percentage, 250 passing yards, three touchdowns, and a solid 78.1 passer rating.
Washington signed his right-of-first-refusal tender worth $3.263 million, non-guaranteed, in late April. He was poised for a significant role on defense and potentially starting at safety in 2025. However, his next season will have to be put on hold.
He suffered a devastating injury
According to Ian Rapoport, Ar’Darius Washington suffered a significant lower leg injury during conditioning. Tests and an MRI determined that he suffered a torn Achilles, which generally faces a nine-to-twelve-month recovery time. As Rapoport points out, the injury will cause him to miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season.
Sources: #Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington, who was expected to play a key role in Baltimore’s defense next season, has torn his Achilles, the MRI has confirmed.
The injury, which occurred during conditioning, will cause him to miss most or all of the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/yzzHbcqLT9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 13, 2025
Who replaces him in the starting lineup?
Malaki Starks will replace Ar’Darius Washington in the starting lineup. The Baltimore Ravens drafted Starks 27th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. He had a great college career with the Georgia Bulldogs, winning a National Championship in 2022, a First-Team All-American and All-SEC in 2023, and a Second-Team All-American and All-SEC in 2024.
Since the Ravens like to use three-safety sets as well as utilize Kyle Hamilton in the slot, and their backup depth is thin and young, they may need to address their weakness in free agency. Many talented players are remaining, including Justin Simmons, Jordan Whitehead, Julian Blackmon, Quandre Diggs, Chuck Clark, and Jordan Poyer.
