The Baltimore Ravens have become famous for waiting until the last stages of free agency to make some moves, often taking advantage of veteran players lowering their asking price. While bringing in an offensive guard like Dalton Risner might be what most of the fanbase wants, a player like safety Micah Hyde makes sense.
While Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams already make up the best safety duo in the league, the loss of Geno Stone in a valuable third safety role needs to be addressed. Baltimore did draft Purdue’s Sanoussi Kane this year, but he is guaranteed next to nothing as a late seventh-round selection.
Released as a part of the Buffalo Bills’ financial bloodletting this offseason, Hyde is still looking for a team that needs defensive back help and can help him slip that elusive championship ring on his finger. Could the Ravens, who could stand to add one more defensive back, be that team?
Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports seems to think so, as he believes that Hyde and the Ravens are a great mutual fit for one another. Injuries may have sapped some of his effectiveness, but he won’t have to be the game-changer he was in Buffalo.
Baltimore Ravens urged to sign safety Micah Hyde
Hyde, who spent seven years with the Bills following an initial four-year stint in Green Bay, recorded 16 interceptions in Buffalo and was named a second-team All-Pro twice in that span. Buffalo routinely had some of the league’s best secondaries and overall defenses during his tenure.
Injuries will be a killer for any veteran player, and the fact Hyde has now missed 18 games in the last two seasons will give teams like Baltimore pause for thought. Will the range that made him such an effective player be there if the Ravens invest in him?
Part of the reason Baltimore should feel comfortable taking this gamble is the fact that the presence of Hamilton and Williams can help them guard against Hyde taking a step backward. Even in a limited state, Hyde proved to be fairly effective when the ball was in the air last year.
The Ravens may not have a ton of money to throw around in the name of signing free agents, but it wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world to identify Hyde as a still impactful player and give him an important role in arguably the league’s best defense.