Ebony Bird
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How the Ravens Can Survive Without Tavon Young

By Richard Bradshaw

Nov 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tavon Young (36) reacts after a turnover in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tavon Young (36) reacts after a turnover in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Secondary Depth:

Baltimore has improved dramatically over the last few seasons against the past. Flash back to the 2014 season, when the Ravens ranked 23rd against the pass. In 2016, the Ravens ranked 9th.

Since the end of this last season, Baltimore added the aforementioned Brandon Carr and Marlon Humphrey. But it didn’t stop there.

Baltimore also added former Arizona Cardinal’s safety Tony Jefferson in free agency. They rounded out the secondary by resigning veteran Lardarius Webb.

Another wildcard will be 2016 sixth round pick Maurice Canady. Canady spent much of his rookie season on IR, but has the ability to provide the extra depth needed in the secondary.

The one thing that will hold back this team will be the health of another cornerback: Jimmy Smith. When Smith is healthy, he is one of the best corners in the league. The problem is he is often injured. He’s played 16 games just twice in his six-year career.

The secondary should be right about where they were last season thanks to this additional depth. Young’s loss is certainly a large blow, but with Carr’s veteran knowledge, Humphrey’s upside, and Canady and Webb’s versatility in the secondary, Baltimore should get through OK.

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