Baltimore Ravens extend Tavon Young, put emphasis on defense
The Baltimore Ravens announced on Thursday February 21, 2019 that the team signed cornerback Tavon Young to a three-year $29 million contract extension.
Tavon Young enjoyed a masterful 2018 season after losing all of 2017 to a torn ACL. This past year, Young forced two fumbles and picked off a pass, while scoring two touchdowns. In addition to all of this, Young also added two sacks on the year.
2018 truly was the breakout season that we had all been anticipating for Tavon Young. As a reward for his successes, the Baltimore Ravens extended Young to a three-year deal worth up to $29 million, as reported by Adam Schefter:
Ravens are giving CB Tavon Young a three-year, $25.8 million extension with a max value of $29 million, making him the NFL’s highest-paid nickel back, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 21, 2019
Despite only playing two full seasons since being selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Young has proven to be an extremely valuable commodity for the Ravens defense. Of that 2016 Draft class, Baltimore also added their franchise left tackle in Ronnie Stanley and a fantastic edge rusher in Matt Judon. Truly, the 2016 NFL Draft was a remarkable one for the Ravens.
Related Story. NFL Free Agency: Ravens target Le'Veon Bell or Antonio Brown. light
But, Young has a legitimate claim to be the best player from that Ravens class, as he rounds out the secondary beautifully. From his nickel spot, Young has shown that he is more than adept enough to take on the best slot receivers the NFL has to offer. Young’s skill should give the Ravens great confidence in their already strong pass defense, and the extension of Young only solidified that thought.
The Ravens will maintain a youthful and talented secondary movement by extending Tavon Young, as he’ll be just 25-years old in March. Coupled with Marlon Humphrey (will turn 23-years old in July) and Tony Jefferson (27-years old), Baltimore’s secondary has cornerstone players with plenty of youth, and it would be a shock if the team didn’t add more pieces via the 2019 NFL Draft.
dark. Next. NFL Draft: Don't assume Ravens will take a wide receiver
The extension of Tavon Young was one fans weren’t sure would happen or not, but thankfully the organization took that worry out of our heads. With Young resigned, the Ravens don’t have a urgency to add any cornerback depth, and instead continue building up the entirety of the defense. With Young joining Humphrey and veterans Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr, it appears that Baltimore will once again host one of the league’s most talented secondaries in 2019.