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The Baltimore Ravens are back to having a trio of safeties the rest of the NFL can envy, after the team signed two-time Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson. He’ll replace 2023 breakout star Geno Stone, who left to join the Ravens’ AFC North rivals the Cincinnati Bengals back in March.
Replacing Stone has been a long time coming, but the Ravens finally got it right by adding Jackson. The former Chicago Bears standout agreed a one-year deal on Friday, July 19, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who described it as “a Ravens-type move.”
That’s an apt description because Jackson is a savvy veteran with a proven track record of playing solid football. The 30-year-old may be closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but Jackson will be keen to prove he still has plenty left to offer.
Such defiance will make him a classic Ravens signing. The franchise has had a happy habit of maximizing short-term deals for experienced defensive playmakers who still have something left in the tank.
Last season it was edge-rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy. This year is Jackson’s turn to make a point, and in the process, form a downright scary combination with roving All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and shrewd ball-hawk Marcus Williams.
Eddie Jackson an Ideal Replacement for Geno Stone
The “Ravens have been in market for a no3 safety to essentially serve as Geno Stone’s replacement and allow them to move Kyle Hamilton around,” according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
Specifically, Zrebiec noted how the Ravens wanted a safety “who can play the deep part of the field.” That’s just where Jackson does his best work.
His numbers have been down in recent seasons, but Jackson remains an opportunistic presence on the back line. Like when he intercepted former Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15, a pick made from centre field and highlighted by Ravens.com Editorial Director Ryan Mink.
As Mink pointed out, this was Jackson’s only INT last season. He’s tallied just seven picks since an All-Pro campaign in 2018. A fractured foot suffered in 2022 became a lingering problem that impacted Jackson’s range.
Despite the decline in production, Jackson remains a shrewd and capable defensive back who can be relied upon to call the deep third home. No. 4 is also somebody with “deep ties to the Ravens’ defensive core,” per Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Banner, who detailed how Jackson “played with Marlon Humphrey at Alabama (Derrick Henry, too) and with Roquan Smith in Chicago.”
The Ravens will be hoping Jackson quickly builds similar familiarity and chemistry with Hamilton and Williams.
Safety Group Still Key to Ravens’ Multiple Defense
Versatility at safety is what makes the multiple schemes the Ravens use on defense work. That won’t change now Jackson has joined Hamilton and Williams.
Hamilton will continue to move around formations to exploit favorable coverage matchups, as well as spearhead Baltimore’s blitz packages. Williams will also be in the mix, but the 27-year-old probably won’t be as active as Hamilton closer to the line of scrimmage.
What Williams does well is break on the ball in underneath coverage, something he showcased with his spectacular pass breakup against the Tennessee Titans last season.
Moving Williams back and forth will help new defensive coordinator Zach Orr disguise coverage. Keeping Hamilton in the box will add some oomph to an already prolific pass rush.
Both of those things are possible now Jackson’s in the fold.
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