Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens: 5 interesting variables of the 2018 season

By Chris Schisler

OWINGS MILLS, MD - MAY 05: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens speaks with general manager Ozzie Newsome after a practice during the Baltimore Ravens rookie camp on May 5, 2013 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
OWINGS MILLS, MD - MAY 05: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens speaks with general manager Ozzie Newsome after a practice during the Baltimore Ravens rookie camp on May 5, 2013 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 27: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the field during warms up prior to the game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 27: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the field during warms up prior to the game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

3. Jimmy Smith could suffer another injury

Jimmy Smith’s injury hangs over the team this offseason. Even if Smith is able to go, Smith seems to have an injury or two every season. When he is on the field, he is one of the most elite defensive backs in the game. Should Smith remain healthy, he and Marlon Humphrey could become one of the top cornerback duos in football. If Smith is on the field, and Humphrey continues to grow into an elite corner, the Ravens would have not one but two ways to stop a superstar wide receiver.

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If Smith misses time it tests the merit of the Ravens depth in the back-end of their defense. Brandon Carr seemed to be losing in the second half of the 2017 season. Tavon Young is coming off a year without football due to injury. The Ravens have a lot of names in the cornerback hat, however how many of them can they depend on? That is something the Ravens will find out in the event that Smith has another injury.

The positive news here is that the Ravens have players that have all had good moments on the gridiron. Maurice Cannady looked impressive at the end of last season. Young has a chance to be one of the better nickel cornerbacks in the league and he has experience as a number two cornerback. The Ravens drafted Anthony Averett who adds even more depth and don’t forget about Jaylen Hill.

It seems most likely that the Ravens will be an elite pass defense with Smith and Humphrey on the field. Without Smith, the Ravens have built enough talent to survive. It’s doubtful that the absence of Smith would make the Ravens horrible like it has in years past, however it will still be an injury that no Ravens fan wants to see.

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