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How Tavon Young’s return will help the Baltimore Ravens

By Nicholas Gardner

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 27: Cornerback Tavon Young #36 of the Baltimore Ravens breaks up a pass intended for tight end Tyler Eifert #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 27: Cornerback Tavon Young #36 of the Baltimore Ravens breaks up a pass intended for tight end Tyler Eifert #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Before the 2017-18 season started the Ravens got bit by the injury bug, as second-year CB Tavon Young tore his ACL during OTA’s trying to intercept a ball. 

Now, an almost forgotten piece in the Ravens secondary is ready to make his return after missing all of last season.

According to an article by Ryan Mink of the Baltimore Ravens official website, Tavon Young is good to go. Young’s injury came at an unbelievably inopportune time as he was coming off a fantastic rookie season in 2016. During his first year, the 104th overall pick started 11 games and tallied 53 tackles along with two interceptions. The most surprising stat of all, Young played more snaps than any other Ravens cornerback during the 2016 season.

So with that being said, Young, now coming into his third year, has proven that he can play. The only difference between now and then is the fact that the Ravens secondary group has gone from one of their weaknesses to arguably their biggest strength on the roster.

Thanks to the signing of free agent cornerback Brandon Carr and 2017 first-round pick Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens cornerbacks have only gotten deeper and more talented since Young last stepped foot on the field. Not to mention, the selection of CB Anthony Averett in the fourth-round of this year’s draft.

Given the signings of Tony Jefferson at safety, Brandon Carr at corner, and the picks of Humphrey and Averett, people seem to forget that for the majority of the 2016-17 season, Young played as the Ravens top corner while Jimmy Smith was out.

So where does Young fit? 

Young has the quicks, speed, and athleticism to play as the Ravens slot corner consistently. Imagine him as the corner who would match up well with the Julian Edelman’s and Danny Amendola’s of the world.

While having their “Big 3” on the outside (Smith, Carr, Humphrey), Young can come in and be extremely effective in nickel and especially in dime packages.

In today’s NFL, nickel and dime packages are crucial, and it’s no longer good enough to have one or two quality cornerback’s on your roster. With Young now back in the fold, it really strengthens the Ravens defensive backfield.

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Along with his ability to play corner, Young also adds his dynamic athleticism to a strong special teams group on the punt unit as well.

Look for the Ravens defensive backs group to really benefit from his return, and become one of the best in the league.

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