Ravens sign safety Darian Stewart

It wasn't the splashiest move but the Ravens added depth and competition to the safety position.

On Friday, the team announced it signed safety Darian Stewart, who spent the past four seasons with the St. Louis Rams, to a one-year contract. Stewart has started 19 games in four years, with 13 of those starts coming in 2011. He has one career interception.

Perhaps the Ravens are looking for the next James Ihedigbo, a box safety that can exceed expectations in the team's defensive system. Ihedigbo was a career backup before joining the Ravens in 2012.

Stewart also has experience with defensive backs coach Steve Spagnuolo. Spagnuolo was the Rams' head coach from 2009-2011, with Stewart playing under him during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. One could deduce that Spagnuolo's familiarity with Stewart helped in this decision.

Stewart is more of a strong safety, so it's possible that Matt Elam could wind up at free safety again in 2014. Of course, that could change if the Ravens draft a free safety early this draft.

You'd have to think the Ravens aren't too keen on the free agent safety market at this time if this is the kind of move they're making at the position.

Not saying it's a bad move, but it's not like they just signed a sure-fire starting safety.

But has history has shown, plenty of under-the-radar players wind up succeeding in Baltimore. Maybe Stewart becomes the next one.