After completing the 21st draft class in franchise history over the weekend, the Ravens decided against making a longer commitment to a former first-round pick on Monday.
Baltimore declined its fifth-year option for 2013 first-round safety Matt Elam, which will make him a free agent next offseason. The 24-year-old from the University of Florida missed the entire 2015 season after suffering a torn biceps early in training camp, but he has been considered one of the most disappointing first-round picks in franchise history.
The 2017 option was expected to cost north of $5 million, making it a relatively easy choice for the Ravens not to use it on the safety. Elam is scheduled to make $1.327 million in base salary and to carry a $2.14 million salary cap figure for 2016, making him no sure thing to make the 53-man roster for the coming season.
Elam was benched during the 2014 season and general manager Ozzie Newsome admitted last spring that the Ravens had been disappointed in his performance to that point in his career. Pro Football Focus graded the 5-foot-10, 200-pound as Baltimore’s worst defensive player in 2014, and he missed a team-high 18 tackles while primarily playing out of the nickel position.
With Eric Weddle and Lardarius Webb expected to start at the safety spots this season, Elam is expected to compete with Kendrick Lewis and Terrence Brooks for the primary backup spot.
In 32 career games, Elam has collected 127 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and seven pass breakups.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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