Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens: Grading the 2017 rookie class

By Joe Schiller

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Wide Receiver A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass while defended by defensive back Marlon Humphrey #29 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Wide Receiver A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass while defended by defensive back Marlon Humphrey #29 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 19: Marlon Humphrey #29 of the Baltimore Ravens runs for yards after intercepting a pass during the second half of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 19, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 19: Marlon Humphrey #29 of the Baltimore Ravens runs for yards after intercepting a pass during the second half of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 19, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

After a full season, it’s time to look back and see how the Ravens’ rookies performed in 2017.

The Baltimore Ravens are a household name when it comes to the NFL draft. They are considered among the top franchises when it comes to drafting and developing talent. There have been plenty of misses and criticism that’s followed but that stands true for every team.

After a strong 2016 draft class that featured the likes of Ronnie Stanley, Tavon Young, Matt Judon and Maurice Canady, Ozzie Newsome tried to keep that momentum going into the following year. With almost three weeks to digest from the end of the regular season, it’s time to look back on the 2017 draft class and their contributions.

I grade each pick based on what they did solely during their rookie season, not on the outlook of their careers.

Related Story: 2018 NFL Draft: Top 5 wide receiver prospects (Ravens biggest need)

Marlon Humphrey, CB

Pick: No. 16

With offensive needs, Ozzie Newsome surprised us by selecting cornerback Marlon Humphrey with the Ravens’ first pick. But in reality, this shouldn’t have surprised us because Humphrey was an Alabama product. With receivers Corey Davis, Mike Williams and John Ross off the board, fans were clamoring for the Ravens to select Humphrey’s teammate tight end O.J. Howard. But, Ozzie went defense and it was a smart move.

Humphrey battled some injury problems during the preseason but never looked back. He saw small doses of playing time early in the season but the snap count continued to increase each week with more confidence from defensive coordinator Dean Pees. Even if it was just 15 or 20 snaps in a game, Humphrey made them count and it paid off. His physical style of play was noticeable early on and he quickly began to turn some heads with his play. When he went stride in stride with Antonio Brown in Week 4, that’s when it became apparent Humphrey could play.

Ozzie’s pick paid off and came in handy when Jimmy Smith suffered a torn Achilles in a Week 13 win against the Lion. Humphrey became the starter alongside Brandon Carr the rest of the season. It’s hard to imagine how the secondary would have fared if Humphrey wasn’t on the team. He was one of just six cornerbacks who finished the season without allowing a touchdown and graded seventh among first-round rookies in 2017, per Pro Football Focus.

Grade: A-

Home/Ravens News