Ravens Safety Depth Chart: Kyle Hamilton Headlines Baltimore’s Strongest Position Group

The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2026 season with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. Lamar Jackson remains one of the NFL’s most dangerous quarterbacks, Derrick Henry continues to power the running game, and Baltimore’s defensive front appears capable of creating pressure against any offensive line. Yet one position group may ultimately determine how far the Ravens can go in January: safety.

Few teams can match Baltimore’s combination of talent, versatility and depth at the position. The Ravens possess an All-Pro centerpiece in Kyle Hamilton, a rising star in Malaki Starks, a proven veteran in Jaylinn Hawkins, and several young players battling to establish themselves as future contributors. Multiple depth chart projections around the league identify safety as one of Baltimore’s strongest position groups entering training camp.

Modern NFL defenses demand versatility from safeties. Covering athletic tight ends, matching up against slot receivers, supporting the run and disguising blitzes have all become critical responsibilities. Baltimore’s safety room excels in each of those areas, giving defensive coordinator Jesse Minter one of the most flexible defensive units in football. The ability to deploy multiple safeties with interchangeable responsibilities has become a major part of Baltimore’s defensive identity.

The Ravens have built championship-caliber defenses around elite safeties before. Hall of Famer Ed Reed helped define an era of Baltimore football with game-changing instincts and unmatched ball skills. The current group is built differently, but the overall impact could be similar. Hamilton and Starks have the potential to become one of the NFL’s premier safety tandems, while Hawkins gives Baltimore a third starter-quality player capable of keeping the defense multiple and unpredictable.

Projected Ravens Safety Depth Chart

Starters

• Kyle Hamilton
• Malaki Starks

Primary Rotational Safety

• Jaylinn Hawkins

Backup Safety

• Keondre Jackson

Depth and Developmental Players

• K’Von Wallace
• Beau Brade
• Jahquez Robinson
• Lardarius Webb Jr.

Most projections list Hamilton, Starks and Hawkins as Baltimore’s primary safety trio entering camp. The Ravens have openly discussed using three-safety formations extensively this season, making Hawkins far more than a traditional backup. Keondre Jackson currently projects as the top reserve, while Wallace, Brade, Robinson and Webb Jr. compete for roster spots and practice squad positions.

Kyle Hamilton: The Ravens’ Defensive X-Factor

No player on Baltimore’s defense impacts more areas of the game than Hamilton.

Calling Hamilton a safety only tells part of the story. One snap may place Hamilton near the line of scrimmage as a blitzer. Another may feature Hamilton covering a tight end down the seam. The next could see Hamilton rotating into deep coverage. That versatility is exactly why Baltimore views Hamilton as one of the NFL’s most unique defensive weapons.

Most safeties specialize in one role. Some excel against the run and spend most of their time near the line of scrimmage. Others operate as deep centerfielders responsible for preventing explosive plays. Hamilton does both while also possessing the athletic ability to cover slot receivers and the physicality to take on larger offensive players.

Hamilton’s value goes far beyond statistics. Quarterbacks alter protections because of Hamilton’s presence. Offensive coordinators adjust route concepts because of Hamilton’s versatility. Pass rushers benefit because quarterbacks frequently hesitate before the snap while attempting to identify Hamilton’s assignment. Those hidden advantages rarely show up in the box score, but they influence every level of the defense.

The addition of Hawkins has only increased Hamilton’s value. Baltimore signed Hawkins specifically to give the defense another dependable deep safety, allowing Hamilton to spend more time near the line of scrimmage. Ravens analysts have repeatedly noted that Hawkins’ arrival should free Hamilton to continue operating as a positionless defender capable of attacking offenses from multiple angles.

Leadership has become another important part of Hamilton’s development. Veterans and coaches consistently praise Hamilton’s football intelligence and preparation. That trust allows Baltimore to expand the playbook and build more complex defensive packages around Hamilton’s unique skill set.

Simply put, Hamilton may be the most important non-quarterback on Baltimore’s roster.

Malaki Starks: Baltimore’s Future Star

While Hamilton receives most of the attention, Malaki Starks could be the player who ultimately elevates Baltimore’s secondary from excellent to elite.

The Ravens selected Starks in the first round because of elite range, instincts and football intelligence. Analysts immediately praised the selection because Starks appeared to be a perfect fit alongside Hamilton. The former Georgia standout entered the NFL with a reputation as one of the most polished defensive backs in his draft class, and Baltimore believed those traits would translate quickly.

Unlike Hamilton, Starks often handles deep-middle responsibilities. That role requires exceptional awareness because mistakes frequently result in touchdowns. Starks’ ability to patrol the deep portions of the field allows Hamilton to move around the formation and create confusion for opposing offenses.

Statistics from Baltimore’s analysis of the position show just how different the roles can be. Starks regularly aligned significantly deeper than Hamilton, serving as the primary centerfielder in the defense while Hamilton attacked closer to the line of scrimmage. That partnership gives Baltimore tremendous flexibility and creates matchup problems for opposing offenses.

Ball skills remain one of Starks’ biggest strengths. Quarterbacks attempting deep throws must account for Starks’ range and ability to close on the football. Strong instincts allow Starks to anticipate route concepts before they fully develop, while athleticism helps eliminate throwing windows that appear open initially.

Another leap forward from Starks could transform Baltimore’s defense. Several analysts have already identified Starks as one of the most important young players on the roster because continued development would allow Hamilton to move around even more freely.

Jaylinn Hawkins: The Most Underrated Addition

The Ravens may have made one of the smartest signings of the offseason when they added Hawkins.

Hawkins arrived in Baltimore after a breakout season with New England that included 71 tackles, four interceptions, six pass breakups, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Pro Football Focus graded Hawkins among the league’s best safeties, and Baltimore quickly identified the veteran as the ideal complement to Hamilton and Starks.

The biggest value Hawkins provides is flexibility. Baltimore no longer has to choose between keeping Hamilton near the line of scrimmage or maintaining quality deep coverage. Hawkins can handle deep safety responsibilities while also contributing in coverage and run support. Ravens coaches have openly discussed the potential for Hamilton, Starks and Hawkins to become a special trio.

Few teams possess three safeties capable of playing significant defensive snaps. Baltimore now has exactly that.

Keondre Jackson: The Next Core Special Teams Player

Every successful Ravens roster includes players who initially earn opportunities through special teams. Jackson appears to be the next player following that path.

Current depth chart projections list Jackson as Baltimore’s top backup safety and one of the organization’s future special teams leaders. Strong special teams play helped Jackson remain on the roster, and continued development could eventually create opportunities for a larger defensive role.

Physicality stands out immediately when evaluating Jackson. Effort and willingness to contribute in every phase of the game have also helped earn the coaching staff’s trust. Defensive snaps may be limited because of the talent ahead of Jackson on the depth chart, but Baltimore values players capable of contributing beyond a single position.

Training camp will provide another opportunity for Jackson to strengthen a grip on a roster spot.

K’Von Wallace: Veteran Competition

Wallace enters camp as one of the most interesting roster bubble players.

The veteran safety brings more than 70 games of NFL experience and over 1,500 defensive snaps to Baltimore. Extensive special teams experience and familiarity with defensive concepts similar to Jesse Minter’s scheme could help Wallace earn a roster spot. Baltimore signed Wallace to improve depth and create additional competition at the position.

Experience gives Wallace an advantage over some younger competitors, but roster spots will not be handed out based on experience alone. Strong preseason performances will be necessary.

Beau Brade: The Local Favorite

Few players on the roster generate more interest among Maryland football fans than Beau Brade.

The former Maryland Terrapins standout earned a reputation as a physical and intelligent defensive back during a productive college career. Local ties have made Brade a popular figure among Ravens fans, but earning a roster spot will require more than local support.

Special teams likely provide Brade’s clearest path to the final 53-man roster. Physicality, football intelligence and versatility all fit Baltimore’s roster-building philosophy. Competition remains fierce, but Brade has already shown an ability to exceed expectations throughout the roster-building process.

Jahquez Robinson and Lardarius Webb Jr.

Robinson and Webb Jr. enter camp hoping to become the latest undrafted success stories in Baltimore.

Robinson arrived after the draft with intriguing athletic traits and developmental upside. Every practice rep and preseason snap will matter because the competition at safety remains intense. Practice squad consideration appears realistic, but Baltimore has repeatedly rewarded strong performers regardless of draft status.

Webb Jr. carries one of the most recognizable names in the organization. The son of former Ravens standout Lardarius Webb enters an ideal environment for development. Learning alongside Hamilton, Starks and Hawkins should provide valuable experience regardless of the final roster outcome. A practice squad role appears most likely, but surprises happen every training camp.

Position Grade: A+

Very few teams can match Baltimore’s combination of star power and depth at safety. Hamilton is one of the NFL’s premier defenders. Starks has Pro Bowl potential. Hawkins gives Baltimore a third safety capable of playing starter-level snaps. Jackson, Wallace, Brade, Robinson and Webb Jr. provide depth, competition and developmental upside.

The Ravens enter the 2026 season with championship aspirations, and the safety room is one of the biggest reasons why. Hamilton may be the headliner, but the overall depth of the group could prove just as important over the course of a long season. If Baltimore reaches the Super Bowl, don’t be surprised if the safety position becomes one of the biggest reasons why.