The Baltimore Beatdown staff react to the Baltimore Ravens signing veteran safety Eddie Jackson
According to multiple reports, the Baltimore Ravens have signed veteran safety Eddie Jackson to a one-year deal. Below are the reactions from the Baltimore Beatdown staff.
The Ravens didn’t need to add a third safety from the market as Ar’Darius Washington looked solid in minicamp and early expectations had him slotted to fill the No. 3 role. But adding Eddie Jackson is a savvy move to bolster their depth, free up Kyle Hamilton to play all across the field and maybe resurrect the dominant play Jackson delivered in 2018-2019 which earned him First Team All-Pro and two Pro Bowls.
General Manager Eric DeCosta has been nearly perfect in his late free agency additions for more than a season now. Jackson could be yet another with high upside that midway through the season teams will be kicking themselves over not signing him themselves. — Kyle Phoenix
Jackson is the ideal player to fill what was the Ravens most glaring positional need before training camp. Eddie has the range to play two-high coverage and ball skills to replicate Geno Stone’s takeaway production. With three capable safeties, Kyle Hamilton can confidently be deployed as the nickel defender to maximize his impact closer to the line of scrimmage. Excellent choice by general manager Eric DeCosta to fill the only position that didn’t boast a quality two-deep with a proven performer of Jackson’s pedigree and skillset. — Vasilis Lericos
After losing 2023 interception leader Geno Stone to a division rival in free agency, the Ravens addressed one of their most underrated off-season needs with this signing.
This has the potential to be just as impactful as the Jadeveon Clowney or Kyle Van Noy signings were last year when outside linebacker was the oversaturated veteran free agent market heading into training camp.
As much faith as the Ravens still have in 2021 undrafted free agent Ar’Darius Washington, they needed additional depth at safety with both experience and the ability to backup Marcus Williams at free safety while also still giving them the schematic flexibility to come on the field and allow Kyle Hamilton to star in the hybrid nickel role that made him a First Team All Pro last season. Jackson provides all the above from proven pedigree to a true ball-hawking presence in the backend comparable to what Stone provided in multiple safety packages. — Joshua Reed
My first reaction is I’m sad for Ar’Darius Washington and the snaps this takes from him. But holy lord, the Ravens now have the clear cut number one secondary in the league. The safety combo of Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson would already be one of the best and rangiest safety tandem in the league. Throw in budding star Kyle Hamilton is arguable the best safety in the league and you’ve got a monster on your hands.
The rotation will be curious to see as both Williams and Jackson are both more of the free safety variety and the Ravens will want to move Hamilton around everywhere, both in the box, slot, and deep. Jackson also provides depth behind Williams who has missed significant time in his first two years with the Ravens. — Zach Canter
The addition of Eddie Jackson bolsters what was already considered one of the best secondaries in the NFL. In Baltimore’s defense, the greatness and full potential of Kyle Hamilton is somewhat dependent on the teams three safety looks. With the emergence of Geno Stone last year, Hamilton was able to roam around the defense and be the ultimate chess piece for Mike MacDonald. After the departure of Stone, the Ravens desperately needed a 3rd safety to fill the void. In typical Ravens fashion, they add a two time Pro Bowler who should bring even more experience and playmaking ability to an already lethal secondary. — Stephen Bopst