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NFL Draft: Ravens may be tempted by strong cornerback class

By Chris Schisler

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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Things to think about:

The purple and black don’t really know what to think about Jimmy Smith. When he’s on the field, he’s amazing. It seems like every year the Ravens have to make it through a stretch of the season without him and it becomes exhausting. Smith will be a big part of the plan in 2018 no matter what. Moving forward from that, the Ravens are going to want a long-term answer at the position.

The Ravens have seen two Super Bowl runs with strong play at cornerback. In the Super Bowl XXXV run it was obvious. Chris McAlister and Duane Starks is still the best combination that I have ever seen. In the 2012 run the Ravens had Jimmy Smith, Corey Graham, Carry Williams and Lardarius Webb. That grouping is far from shabby. The cornerback position being strong has a positive correlation with the Ravens top moments.

While cornerbacks may not be the definitive cause of the Ravens past success poor secondary play has been the doom of the Ravens in the past as well. In 2014 the Ravens surrendered to 14 point leads to the New England Patriots in a playoff game due to bad cornerback play.

Next: Breaking down mock drafts for the Baltimore Ravens

In 2016, Jimmy Smith’s absence loomed large in big games against the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers. This past season, Brandon Carr getting torched by Antonio Brown was the biggest reason for the most heartbreaking loss in Baltimore’s recent memory. Cornerback isn’t the most pressing need, but in the NFL it always smart to add talent to this position.

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