2:14pm: Hill’s one-year deal is worth the minimum salary, with no signing bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
9:33am: Shortly after learning that cornerback Aaron Ross tore his Achilles tendon and will miss the 2014 season, the Ravens have waived-injured Ross and replaced him on the roster with another defensive back. The team has signed former Giants safety Will Hill, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Per Josina Anderson of ESPN (via Twitter), it’s a one-year contract.
Hill, 24, started 10 of the 12 games he appeared in for the Giants last season, and played well, compiling 77 tackles and creating a handful of turnovers (two INTs, two forced fumbles, one recovery). Pro Football Focus’ grades ranked Hill as the league’s second-best safety in 2013, behind only Devin McCourty (subscription required), but off-field issues and character red flags have always cast a shadow over his on-field performance.
In fact, Hill is facing a six-game suspension to start the 2014 season, which makes Baltimore’s decision to sign him an interesting one. Although the ex-Giant will still be able to practice with the club and play in preseason contests, he won’t be able to play in a regular season game until mid-October. It’s Hill’s third suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
While Matt Elam is locked in as one of the Ravens’ starting safeties, the other spot isn’t set in stone yet, with Darian Stewart looking like the likely starter. Hill should provide more depth and experience at the position, though one could argue it’s not necessarily a good look for the Ravens to sign another player facing a suspension when the team is already under some scrutiny for having five players arrested this offseason.