Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens: 5 players to build the future around

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 10: Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley #79 of the Baltimore Ravens is intoduced before the start of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 10: Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley #79 of the Baltimore Ravens is intoduced before the start of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – AUGUST 31: Marlon Humphrey #29 of the Baltimore Ravens warming up before a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on August 31, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Ravens defeated the Saints 14-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – AUGUST 31: Marlon Humphrey #29 of the Baltimore Ravens warming up before a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on August 31, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Ravens defeated the Saints 14-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

5. Marlon Humphrey

The Ravens spent a first round pick on Marlon Humphrey for a reason. The future of the cornerback position is largely in question without him. Jimmy Smith is a talented player but he has a troubled injury history. Brandon Carr is a veteran that is still very capable but he isn’t a long-term answer. The Ravens drafted Humphrey to be a shutdown corner. It wasn’t for right now. It was for the years to come. Humphrey is in a good situation as a rookie. Not only does having Smith and Carr help him ease into his spot on the field, it also allows him to learn from some of the most experienced players at his position. Lardarius Webb and even free safety, Eric Weddle, count as reliable mentors as well.

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Humphrey has all the skills needed to be the next great cornerback. The Ravens Flock has pointed to O.J. Howard as a player the Ravens shouldn’t have passed on. It’s hard to disagree that Howard would have had a greater impact on the 2017 Ravens. It is hard to argue however, that the Ravens didn’t make the right decision in the big picture.

Looking the part:

All the people crying foul for passing on Howard would be the first in line to complain about an old secondary moving forward. With Humphrey at cornerback and Tony Jefferson at strong safety gives the Ravens relatively young players to build around on defense. For now Weddle, Smith and Carr aren’t going anywhere, but Humphrey is the bright young talent to be excited about.

Humphrey has not been perfect but he has been very good. His performance is about as good as you can expect from a rookie cornerback. He has shown that he isn’t intimidated by any wide receiver the NFL can throw at him. His athletic ability, and ideal physical traits have already helped him win some battles out wide with receivers. Humphrey was a great cornerback for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and he looks like he will be a great Baltimore Raven.

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