With another untimely setback for Jimmy Smith, Marlon Humphrey will be given the opportunity to become the Ravens ace cornerback in 2018.
Whispers were murmured during Monday night’s preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts that Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith would face a multi-game suspension for violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. It was confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Smith was indeed suspended four-games for the upcoming season.
The Ravens secondary has struggled mightily with Smith out of the line-up, so naturally Ravens fans are upset and nervous for the start of the season. However, there might not be any reason at all to worry about Jimmy Smith’s suspension. After all, the Ravens just drafted a young cornerback out of the University of Alabama in the 2017 NFL Draft. That young man’s name is Marlon Humphrey.
Humphrey, who turned 22-years old July 8th, was outstanding during his rookie season. Humphrey recorded 34 tackles and two interceptions in 16 games (five starts) in 2017. Pro Football Focus also regularly had him graded as one of the top corners in the league, regardless of age or experience. Well with Jimmy Smith suspended, the Ravens need Humphrey to step up now more than ever.
Get ready to rumble:
In the Ravens first four games of the season, the team will face both Antonio Brown and A.J. Green on the road, meanwhile Demaryius Thomas will be coming to Baltimore. These three receivers have been the best of the best in the 2010’s. Even though each of these men are 30-years old now, they are still some of the best wide receivers the NFL has to offer, as each has perhaps a Hall of Fame resume on hand.
The Ravens certainly aren’t short-handed at the cornerback position. Guys like Brandon Carr, Tavon Young, Anthony Averett, and Maurice Canady will be relied on heavily in 2018, however none of them will be as depended on the way Marlon Humphrey will be.
Humphrey’s draft status as a first round pick would indicate the Ravens have high hopes for him. Like it or not, that future is coming faster than we all expect. The Ravens need Humphrey now to step up and lead this secondary. The rest of the defense looks great, but the team still needs a number one cornerback with Jimmy Smith out of the line-up.
Odds were pretty good that 2018 was going to be Smith’s last season in Baltimore, and that only became more apparent Tuesday afternoon. Humphrey was undoubtedly drafted to be the Ravens ace cornerback of the future. While we expected it to happen eventually, none of us would’ve ever thought it’d be this soon. The stage has been set for Marlon Humphrey, and now Ravens Flock waits in anticipation of whether or not he’s ready for the big-dogs.