The battle for the fourth safety spot on the Ravens appeared to be between Anthony Levine and Omar Brown. Levine made the team and the Ravens even kept a fifth safety. But it wasn't Brown.
The award for perhaps the most surprising player to make the 53-man roster goes to rookie undrafted safety Brynden Trawick.
Fans may not know much about Trawick, but they certainly would have noticed him if they were watching the second half of Thursday night's preseason finale in St. Louis.
Trawick led the Ravens with eight tackles, capping a strong preseason performance on both special teams and defense. Head Coach John Harbaugh said a couple jobs would be won in the preseason finale, and Trawick may just have been one of those players.
"I could see how many people weren't speculating on that one as much," Harbaugh said Sunday.
"He earned it. He played really well on special teams. He proved himself as a big, physical presence on the field when he was out there. Hey, [he's] got a lot to learn [and a] long way to go. Obviously, we're banking on some upside there, but he earned his spot by the way he played in practice and games."
Trawick's size and speed make him particularly suited to special teams work. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Troy product was a first-team All-Sun Belt selection his senior year, in which he logged 83 tackles, three interceptions and four pass breakups.
He played at the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game and reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds at his pro day. The Ravens, who take their scouting of undrafted players very seriously, honed in on Trawick, who is bigger than any safety they have on the team.
Trawick flashed with a blocked punt in the Ravens' first preseason game in Tampa Bay, which was recovered for a touchdown. He also reportedly earned a $21,000 fine from the NFL for a blindside hit during that game, which he is appealing.
Trawick was all over the field in St. Louis. During one Rams series, he made a tackle on four of five straight plays. He was flagged for a horse-collar tackle at the end of a kickoff, however.
"Brynden Trawick was running around hitting at the end," Harbaugh said after the game, pointing him out without being prompted.
"I think he's had the typical rookie camp that a good player has. He's really stepped up and really jumped out at times. And other times he's kind of disappeared like all of them do. All and all I think he's played well. He's proven that he can do it."
Trawick was just happy to get the chance. The Ravens had a good amount of depth at safety this preseason, but Trawick earned a look.
"[Thursday] was just a good opportunity to show everybody what I can do and showcase my skills. I think I produced at a high level tonight and the league can take notice," Trawick said. "I can hit, tackle, play special teams. I think I'm an all-around player, pretty balanced."
Trawick is one of two undrafted rookie free agents to make the original 53-man roster, which still could change in the coming days or weeks. The other is wide receiver Marlon Brown.
