Before he made Kyle Hamilton the highest-paid safety in NFL history, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta “agonized” over the future of another defensive back drafted by the team in 2022.
Ultimately, DeCosta opted to release Jalyn Armour-Davis, despite the former Alabama standout being ticketed for a more versatile role this season. A hybrid role based on the cornerback playing safety in 2025.
DeCosta explained to reporters on Wednesday, August 27, including Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, why letting Armour-Davis go “was a ‘nuanced, tough decision.’ Said they opted for young guys with JAD in contract year. ‘We agonized over it.’”
That’s a sound explanation based on the Ravens keeping more than one rookie defensive back on the final 53-man roster. Armour-Davis soon landed on his feet as a priority waiver claim by the Tennessee Titans, per ESPN’s Turron Davenport.
Dumping Armour-Davis also preceded DeCosta handing Hamilton record terms as part of a four-year deal worth $100 million outlined by The MMQB’s Albert Breer.
The contract not only redefined the market for safeties, it also put Hamilton into the leadership position in Baltimore’s secondary. He’ll be setting the example for the youngsters DeCosta chose over Armour-Davis.
Ravens Made Necessary Jalyn Armour-Davis Decision
Moving on from Armour-Davis made sense, even after he was a prime candidate to play the vital third safety role. The Ravens prize the position highly and need help there while 2024 breakout star Ar’Darius Washington recovers from a torn Achilles suffered this offseason.
Armour-Davis was working his way into the mix of potential Washington replacements, but the Ravens had other options. Choices like an undrafted rookie who was a star during training camp.
DeCosta ultimately chose former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga corner Reuben Lowery III for a roster spot. Just as the GM did to include fellow rookie free agent Keyon Martin on the depth chart.
Lowery described to reporters, including Davneport’s colleague Jamison Hensley, a “movie moment” when he and Martin shared “a big hug” to celebrate the news they’d survived final cuts.
By choosing Martin and Lowery over Armour-Davis, DeCosta bet on upside. He also righted one of the wrongs of last season, involving too few undrafted players making the roster.
Opting for Lowery and Martin, along with inside linebacker Jay Higgins, continued a fine legacy of giving undrafted talent a chance DeCosta is keen to preserve.
As Zrebiec reported, DeCosta “received trade calls on Higgins, Martin and Lowery but he felt like they deserved spot here.”
Replenishing their ranks from the league’s overlooked prospects has been a happy habit for the Ravens, but DeCosta also made sure they did right by a worthy first-round success.
Kyle Hamilton Earned Payday
The Ravens rolled the dice when they used the 14th pick to select Hamilton the same year they drafted Armour-Davis in the fourth round, but the gamble has since paid off handsomely. Hamilton’s versatile skill-set and preternatural athleticism have matured into a defined role as the true star of Baltimore’s defense.
He’s already an All-Pro, as well as a two-time Pro Bowler at just 24, so he earned a contract to reset the market at his position. Hamilton’s new value above his celebrated fellow safeties is illustrated by The 33rd Team.
How the Ravens use Hamilton has defined their success defensively. He sparked a major revival after being shifted deep last season, but No. 14 could be on the move again if one of Armour-Davis’ replacements emerges as a useful playmaker.
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