The Baltimore Ravens are expecting big things from safety Matt Elam this year.
Elam, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome's first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, struggled through a difficult rookie season and followed it up with a just as bad, if not worse, sophomore effort.
While the Baltimore decision-makers have done their best to pump up Elam this offseason, with defensive coordinator Dean Pees stating that this has been Elam's best camp "bar-none" and that he was expecting "big things" from Elam in his third season, it could be that another recent Newsome draft pick is ready to make some serious waves of his own.
Terrence Brooks, rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered late last season, played well for the most part during his initial NFL season before the injury and if he's able to return to full health, could push Elam for the title of "player most likely to break out" on Pees' unit.
"It was the kind of injury that typically would wipe out a player's second season as they worked to get back onto the field, back into shape and then overcome the mental hurdles that come with the territory," writes Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. "But Brooks is remarkably ahead of schedule and looks like a player who will be ready for training camp, barring any setbacks in his progress. He has already been scrimmaging with the first string defense in offseason workouts, suggesting a big leap forward. Considering his knee injury occurred in December, a spectacular reboot could be in the cards."
While Elam is currently battling with veteran Will Hill for a starting spot at the moment, Brooks has been rotating in with the safety group along behind free agent pick-up Kendrick Lewis and could have something to say about a starting gig of his own once training camp gets underway.
In 245 snaps over 11 games last year, Brooks nabbed 19 tackles and two passes defensed. Brooks, who played collegiately at Florida State, entered the pre-2014 NFL Draft process as a highly athletic center-fielder type.
"Terrific pick right here. Brooks can run from the free safety position. He can blitz. He can play the center-field spot for you," NFL Network draft analyst Charles Davis said of the selection at the time, via NFL.com.
While Lewis was brought in in free agency, his modest three-year, $5.4 million contract indicates the Ravens aren't just assuming he'll lock down one of their two starting safety spots.
Hill, a three-year NFL veteran, has shown a knack for making plays during his career, but he also has a propensity for getting into trouble off the field. He was given the lowest possible tender by the Ravens this offseason, meaning he's not assured of anything either.
In short, Elam won't be the only recent Ravens draft pick fighting for a starting safety spot in 2015. If Brooks can make it all the way back from his injury, he could very well find himself garnering significant snaps in just his second professional season.
