National Football League

Ravens DC says Matt Elam having best offseason yet

Published Jun. 10, 2015 9:25 a.m. ET

foxsports

Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees is expecting big things out of safety Matt Elam this season.

Elam, widely considered a disappointment in his first two seasons, is off to a great start in OTAs this offseason.

"Best camp he’s had, bar none. Not even close,” Pees said per the team's official site. "I expect big things out of Matt. I really do."

A first-round pick in 2013, Elam started 15 games his rookie season, but was benched down the stretch last year due to a host of missed tackles. He was rated as one of the worst safeties in the league by Pro Football Focus.

Elam dropped eight pounds this offseason and has been sharing first-team reps with Will Hill. There is no contact permitted in OTAs so we won't know if his tackling has improved until the pads go on in training camp.

"We don't know [the tackling] yet, but as far as his communication, knowing the defense, being in the right spots, all of those things, it's the best camp he's had," Pees added. "I know there are some critics out there, but I’m just telling you, I think No. 26 is going to be a good football player."

h/t: Baltimore Ravens