Ar'Darius

Washington

The fifth-year pro became a weekly starter for the first time last season, earning elite PFF marks in the process. He was a restricted free agent this spring but had yet to sign his $3.26 million tender. That’s a tough break, to put it mildly. Achilles timelines have shortened significantly in recent years, but Washington will probably still miss the entire 2025 campaign. The Ravens are protected in part by their first-round selection of fellow S Malaki Starks, but May is not the month you already want to be dipping into your depth. Going on 26, Washington’s career future is murky after he worked so hard to finally become a regular contributor last season.

Earlier this offseason, the Ravens extended a one-year tender to Washington, giving them the right of first refusal if another team wished to sign him. Had Washington departed, the Ravens would not have received any compensation. The deadline for an outside offer expired at the end of the business day today, which leaves Washington with only two options: Sign the tender sheet and play for the Ravens this season or sit out. Washington understandably opted to test free agency after a breakout 2024 campaign in which he forced seven incompletions, 46 tackles, four tackles for a loss or no gain and one sack. He tacked on one forced incompletion, nine tackles and one tackle for a loss or no gain in the Ravens’ two playoff games.

Washington was Baltimore’s starting slot CB for the first two weeks of the season. He joined the Ravens as a 2021 UDFA and earned a big role after the preseason injury to Marlon Humphrey, but now Baltimore’s secondary is even thinner. CB Arthur Maulet is likely next man up. C Sam Mustipher was signed to the 53-man roster in a corresponding move.

CB Jimmy Smith, after missing the season’s first couple weeks with an ankle issue, will suit up against Detroit. Smith’s return is a boon for a Baltimore secondary that’s proven more vulnerable than usual. Fantasy managers should be confident in deploying the Ravens defense against Jared Goff and the Lions.

Washington’s (5'8/178) 4.61 40-time would have placed in the low end of 2020 NFL Scouting Combine safeties. What’s really concerning is with his diminutive size, he needs to be able to cover ground since he won’t be intimidating receivers over the middle with physicality. He did manage to record a very solid 37.5" vertical leap and shows an advanced football IQ on film as a versatile defender who can come up to play slot corner or slide back to deep safety depending on the circumstance. Despite his size limitations, PFF loves Washington and ranks him as the second best safety in the 2021 draft class. They are way out on a limb with that ranking, as most others have him rated around the 10th best safety range. Washington could command a selection in the late Day 2 ballpark if things break right.