Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks Might Be NFL's Best Safety Duo 'Very, Very Soon'
Kyle Hamilton said recently that first-round safety Malaki Starks is "miles ahead" of where he was as a rookie and "going to be one of the best in the league."
That's quite a compliment coming from a two-time All-Pro. With Hamilton's proven talent and Starks' potential, expectations for the duo are understandably high.
"They might have the best safety duo in the NFL very, very soon," Pro Football Focus' Max Chadwick said on the “PFF NFL Show.” "Kyle Hamilton, in my opinion and PFF's opinion, really is the No. 1 safety in the league. Also, the Ravens drafted Malaki Starks, who is our rookie to watch for the Baltimore Ravens."
Chadwick noted that Starks will take on a bigger role than initially expected as a rookie because Ar'Darius Washington (torn Achilles) is expected to miss most of the season, but Starks is "ready for the moment right now."
Hamilton is the most versatile safety in the league, and Starks has similar qualities.
"A lot like Kyle Hamilton, he could play in the slot, he could play free safety, he could play in the box," Chadwick said. "Now you have two safeties who are just versatile chess pieces in that defense."
Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr Says Tyler Loop Is 'Inching Toward Folklore'
Rookie kicker Tyler Loop has been a focal point for Ravens fans and local media this offseason, but the sixth-rounder also has caught the attention of Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr.
Orr listed Loop among 10 people and things he's watching during Week 1 of the preseason. The slate includes the Ravens hosting the Indianapolis Colts tonight.
"I am not putting Loop on this list to opine about whether he might struggle, or if he develops some cold feet," Orr wrote. "Quite the opposite. Everything about him so far has been inching toward folklore, with the resurfacing of a 75-yarder he hit on a tee at Arizona. Loop drilled a 60-yarder in practice in a simulated pressure situation. John Harbaugh, the special teams man at heart, will test his kicker in the coming days."
Loop, the only kicker on the roster after the release of undrafted rookie John Hyland last week, is 57-for-61 (93.4%) on live field goals in training camp. He was 6-for-6 on field-goal attempts at Tuesday's joint practice with the Colts and 11-for-11 during Sunday's open practice at M&T Bank Stadium.
Pundit Says What Happens at Punt Returner Is Ravens' Most Pressing Question
Punt returner is one of the few jobs up for grabs for the Ravens heading into tonight's preseason opener.
The Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer said that who wins the job is the team's most pressing question. Shaffer acknowledged that sixth-round pick LaJohntay Wester, a productive wide receiver and punt returner in college, is the favorite.
"Wester's contributions to the Ravens' passing game in camp have been fleeting, but his job security depends on his competence as a returner," Shaffer said. "He had a big return in Tuesday's joint practice with the Colts and has been largely reliable fielding punts in practice.
"With live tackling in preseason games, however, that execution will be put to the test. Wester's spot in the Ravens' pecking order could sink after just one muffed punt. If the rookie struggles, a door could open for fellow wide receivers Dayton Wade and Anthony Miller, and perhaps Tylan Wallace. The Ravens have to finalize their initial 53-man roster by Aug. 26."
Harbaugh made it clear earlier this week what he's looking for from the punt returner candidates.
"I want to see how solid they look fundamentally catching punts, because that's where it starts," Harbaugh said. "You got to be able to catch the punts. … Your punt catcher is more important than your punt returner. If you have both, then you've got something special."
Former NFL Executive Predicts Breakout Season for Travis Jones
The Ravens have several established stars on defense, and they also have some burgeoning stars. One player in the latter category is fourth-year tackle Travis Jones.
Jones has impressed Westwood One NFL analyst and former Raiders General Manager Mike Mayock, who attended the Ravens-Colts joint practice.
"Put this in your memory bank: Baltimore No. 98 Travis Jones," Mayock said on "The Rich Eisen Show." "He caught my eye last year [when] I had a couple of their games late. He's a monster, and I think he's going to have a breakout year this year."
Mayock added that he believes the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and Ravens are the two most talented teams in the league.
