Can the Ravens survive Jimmy Smith’s absence?

The Ravens finally have depth in the secondary, but will it be enough to hold down the fort until Smith returns?

After finishing last year’s regular season without cornerback Jimmy Smith, the Ravens will have to begin the 2018 season in the same fashion. Earlier this year, Smith was hit with a four game suspension for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy after evidence of abusive behaviors were found by the league. Smith’s absence will be a blow to Baltimore’s secondary, but will it have as much an impact as it has in recent years?

My immediate answer is no. The Ravens have enough depth to uphold the passing attacks of their opponents. Unlike previous years, the Ravens will not have to sign no name players to step into the starting lineup. They have a talented group of guys, any of which can get the job done if called upon. Having guys like Marlon Humphrey, Tavon Young, Brandon Carr, Maurice Canady, and Darious Williams who all have the talent to hold their own against any type of receiving threat.

After Humphrey’s standout rookie campaign, it looks as though he is poised to have an even better sophomore season. Brandon Carr although lacking in speed at some times, is as durable a player you will find in this league. After a great rookie year, Tavon Young missed the entire 2017 season due to a torn ACL. But after a strong training camp and preseason it looks as though he will return to the nickel and pick up where he left off.

More from Ebony Bird

• Will Baltimore Ravens be rewarded for risky Lamar Jackson decision?
• The Baltimore Ravens Big Gamble
• Ravens Super Bowl odds present fascinating insight on Lamar Jackson’s future
• Should Baltimore Ravens be interested in this recently released WR
• Do the Baltimore Ravens have serious interest in this free agent wide out?

Maurice Canady and Darious Williams provide the secondary with solid rotation pieces. Weddle and Jefferson provide one of the best one, two punches at the safety positions.

Now if I told you there were no worries about the secondary, it’d be a lie. There are many scenarios that could lead to this secondary struggling without Smith. Humphrey could be in store for a sophomore slump, Carr isn’t capable of covering the big name threats the Ravens will have to face in the first four weeks of the year, Young may take a couple of weeks to return to his rookie season form if at all, Canady and Williams are both solid backups, but neither can really perform at a high enough level to replace a player of Smith’s caliber. Weddle is another year older and Jefferson struggled against the pass last season.

If you look at the stat side of things, there is cause for even more worry. Last season when Smith was on the field, Baltimore surrendered just over 200 yards through the air to opposing offenses. In the four games without him the secondary crumbled and gave up almost 300 yards. That near 100 yard difference provides reason for concern for this secondary.

There are reasons to be worried but I believe that the talent is too good for this secondary to falter and they will prove that they are no longer reliant on the talents of Smith alone.