Ravens' Safeties Ranked As League's Best

Kyle Hamilton and two ex-Ravens are the highest-paid players at their positions. Two sleeper breakout candidates for the Ravens.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:43pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a football game or match, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in shades of purple, black, and gold, representing the Ravens' dominant safety group.The Ravens' talented safety trio of Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, and Jaylinn Hawkins will be a key part of the team's defensive strategy under new coordinator Jesse Minter.Baltimore Today

The Baltimore Ravens' safety position remains one of the team's biggest strengths, led by All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and bolstered by the additions of Malaki Starks and Jaylinn Hawkins. Hamilton is the highest-paid safety in the league, while former Ravens Tyler Linderbaum and Jordan Stout are the top earners at center and punter, respectively. The team also has two sleeper breakout candidates in linebacker Trenton Simpson and tackle Roger Rosengarten.

Why it matters

The Ravens' strong safety group, anchored by the elite Kyle Hamilton, is expected to be a key part of their defensive success under new coordinator Jesse Minter. The team's ability to develop young talent like Simpson and Rosengarten will also be crucial as they look to build on last season's playoff appearance.

The details

The Ravens lost two accomplished safeties in free agency, but the position remains a strength with the addition of Jaylinn Hawkins to complement All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and 2025 first-round pick Malaki Starks. New defensive coordinator Jesse Minter plans to heavily utilize the trio of safeties. Hamilton, Linderbaum, and Stout are now the highest-paid players at their respective positions, reflecting their elite talent. Linebacker Trenton Simpson and tackle Roger Rosengarten are also seen as potential breakout candidates for the Ravens this season.

  • The Ravens lost Alohi Gilman and Ar'Darius Washington in free agency this offseason.
  • Kyle Hamilton was drafted 14th overall by the Ravens in 2022 and has quickly become one of the league's best players.
  • Tyler Linderbaum and Jordan Stout signed lucrative free agent deals this offseason, with Linderbaum joining the Raiders and Stout signing with the Giants.
  • Trenton Simpson started last season as a starter but was replaced by rookie Teddye Buchanan, who suffered a torn ACL late in the season.
  • Roger Rosengarten is expected to benefit from the addition of new Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Dwayne Ledford.

The players

Kyle Hamilton

A three-time All-Pro safety who is considered one of the best players at his position in the league. The Ravens' 2022 first-round pick was given a $100.4 million deal over four seasons.

Malaki Starks

The Ravens' 2025 first-round pick at safety, who will team up with Hamilton and Hawkins to form a dominant safety trio.

Jaylinn Hawkins

A free agent addition who helped the Patriots advance to the Super Bowl last season and will join the Ravens' safety rotation.

Tyler Linderbaum

A former Raven who signed a fully guaranteed $81 million deal over three years with the Raiders, making him the highest-paid center in the league.

Jordan Stout

Another former Raven who signed a $4.1 million deal with the Giants, resetting the market for punters after a first-team All-Pro campaign with the Ravens.

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What they’re saying

“The Ravens have the best safety in the game and are loaded at the position.”

— Gilberto Manzano, Sports Illustrated Writer

“Jaylinn is a great player, and I think he and Malaki will operate really well together. I think that'll allow us to do a lot of cool things with Kyle.”

— Jesse Minter, Ravens Defensive Coordinator

What’s next

The Ravens will look to maximize the potential of their talented safety trio of Hamilton, Starks, and Hawkins under new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. The development of breakout candidates like Trenton Simpson and Roger Rosengarten will also be key as the team aims to build on last season's playoff appearance.

The takeaway

The Ravens have assembled an elite safety group and are making smart investments in their offensive line, with their top-paid players at center and punter coming from their own roster. This combination of star power and homegrown talent should give the Ravens a strong foundation to compete for a championship in 2023 and beyond.