Losing Ar’Darius Washington to a torn Achilles has robbed the 2025 Baltimore Ravens of arguably their most versatile defensive player, but an unlikely candidate is already emerging to replace last season’s breakout star, based on positive work during OTAs and minicamp.
It’s 2024 NFL draft seventh-round pick Sanoussi Kane, a player whose stock is up this offseason, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. He explained how “Washington’s injury creates a need for a No. 3 safety, and Kane has established himself as the front-runner for that role.”
Kane is pushing his way to the front of the line for the vital third safety spot thanks to looking “leaner and more explosive.” The trimmed down 23-year-old “also got his hands on quite a few footballs during the offseason practices. He was going to have a special-teams role regardless, but he’s playing like a guy who is intent on earning defensive snaps as well.”
Although Zrebiec pointed out “the Ravens could still sign a veteran safety in the coming weeks,” Kane can save general manager Eric DeCosta the trouble. Kane’s emergence will be useful after the Ravens recently shelled out to add Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander, so DeCosta would welcome an in-house solution to this safety problem.
It will depend on Kane winning a crowded competition. One featuring another useful hitter in football’s third phase, as well as a veteran corner who could switch positions following Alexander’s arrival.
Sanoussi Kane Making Presence Felt at Crucial Spot
Finding the right third safety may not seem like a priority for a team with an embarrassment of riches at the position. The Ravens have multi-faceted All-Pro Kyle Hamilton, one of the league’s brightest young stars, along with this year’s top pick Malaki Starks, who is already being hyped as a potential award winner.
Few teams are as star-studded at the starting level, but fewer teams use three safeties in as many ways as the Ravens. Hybrid defensive backs are key to a position-free scheme defined by moving parts and disguising coverage and pressure pre- and post-snap.
Washington fit the system well, even after becoming a full-time starter back in November. His ability to play deep safety, in the box or the slot, made him invaluable to a multiple defense.
Kane doesn’t possess anywhere near the same flexibility, but the ex-Purdue bruiser is a force closer to the line of scrimmage. What he needs is “some split safety versatility,” according to SleeperNFL’s Chris Cooper.
If Kane shows he can play at both ends of coordinator Zach Orr’s defense, the Ravens will be able to move their safeties around and change looks as freely as they did last season.
Fortunately, the Ravens aren’t solely reliant on Kane getting up to speed. Not when they have other intriguing options to replace Washington.
Ravens Not Short of Ar’Darius Washington Alternatives
Kane isn’t the only special teams thumper vying for a bigger role on defense. Just like eight-year pro Chidobe Awuzie isn’t the only cornerback who could spend more time at safety.
There’s also 2022 fourth-rounder Jalyn Armour-Davis. He has been getting work as a safety this offseason, while also earning praise from Orr as “one of the Ravens’ smartest DBs, if not the smartest,” per The Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer.
Moving Armour-Davis away from the perimeter would let Hamilton operate closer to the front. It could also allow Starks to play in the slot.
Having a roving third safety only expands the playbook for Orr, so the Ravens need candidates like Kane to continue impressing.
