Free-agent safety Geno Stone is expected to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. The former Baltimore Raven is set to join a division rival after leading the AFC with seven interceptions in 2023. A 2020 seventh-round pick by the Ravens, Stone has totaled 127 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, eight interceptions, and 11 passes defended over the last three seasons. The 24-year-old will try to turn the Bengals defense around after it regressed mightily from 2022 to 2023.
Baltimore Ravens safety Geno Stone is in a prime position as he enters free agency this offseason after finishing second in the NFL with seven interceptions in 2023. The Ravens already have two quality starting safeties in All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams, too, which decreases the chances that Stone will return to the Ravens in 2024. Stone has made it clear he wants to start and proved his ability to play at a high level when Williams missed time due to injury. "Geno might be the best seventh-round pick that we've ever had -; playmaker, attitude, special teams," general manager Eric DeCosta said. "I love his cerebral nature, I love his attitude on the field. He fancies himself an overachiever; I love that about him."
Geno Stone A Solid Start If Kyle Hamilton Misses Week 17
Baltimore Ravens safety Geno Stone could be in for a big game if Kyle Hamilton (knee) misses Week 17. Stone typically takes the field on five DB looks and plays about 70% to 90% of the snaps, but if a starting safety misses time, Stone plays all of the snaps. Even while playing limited time, Stone has made six interceptions. Whoever starts at safety should be able to make a lot of tackles. The Dolphins throw the ball down the field. But Stone and Hamilton might not make any picks. Fins' QB Tua Tagovailoa has only thrown 10 interceptions all season and hasn't thrown one in the past four games.
The Houston Texans claimed former Ravens safety Geno Stone off waivers on Tuesday, according to a source. There was a chance that Stone would've landed back on Baltimore's practice squad if he hadn't been claimed. Stone was a seventh-round pick of the Ravens this year and played in just two games, mainly on special teams, with Baltimore before being let go. The signing is mainly just a depth one for Houston at this juncture of the season, and Stone could wind up being used solely on special teams. The Texans Defense, in particular their secondary, could use all the help they can get, though. Houston has allowed the seventh-most passing yards (4,107) through 16 weeks in 2020.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Iowa safety Geno Stone with the 219th overall pick of the NFL Draft in the seventh round. Stone's size (5-foot-10, 207 pounds) and arms don't jump off the page, but he's naturally instinctive in the secondary with good recognition skills. He plays his best in two-high zone and in the box to support the run defense, but he can't cover enough ground to be put on an island at the next level. If anything, Stone will excel in coming up to stop the run if he sticks with Baltimore.
