2019 Baltimore Ravens will be rewarded for investing in the secondary
The Baltimore Ravens have to deal with the following quarterbacks in 2019: Ben Roethlisberger, Baker Mayfield, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, Jared Goff and Russell Wilson. Their investment in the secondary makes complete sense.
The 2019 Baltimore Ravens may have the most difficult slate of opposing quarterbacks. They have to deal with three Super Bowl champions, and the reigning MVP of the league. The Browns have a rising star in Mayfield, who could end up being a thorn in the side of Baltimore for a long time. Even without Antonio Brown, Roethlisberger is one of the best passers in the game.
The good news for Baltimore is that the Ravens host the Patriots. It’s less daunting of a task to face the Patriots at home than it is in Gillette Stadium, but the defense will still be tested. Last year the Ravens and Chiefs gave the NFL fanbase a very memorable game. The Ravens lost the battle in overtime, and have another trip to Kansas City in 2019. Whatever the order is of the schedule, it won’t be an easy season.
The Ravens defense, which still needs some pass rush help, will have to continue to be dominant. The purple and black arguably have the best secondary in football. The addition of Earl Thomas gives the Ravens a great combination at the safety positions. Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith, Brandon Carr and Tavon Young makes a fantastic cornerback grouping. Young signed an extension with Baltimore this offseason, and his work as a nickel corner could be an x-factor for this defense.
More from Ebony Bird
- Do the Baltimore Ravens have serious interest in this free agent wide out?
- NFL Draft Profile: Anthony Richardson is the perfect pivot for Baltimore Ravens
- New Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code for Ravens Fans
- Why Baltimore Ravens might use non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson
- Should Baltimore Ravens have interest in bringing back Justice Hill
Whatever happens with Lamar Jackson and the offense, the defense must steal the show to defend the AFC North crown. The secondary is the strongest part of the entire team and the addition of Thomas will be instrumental. Thomas is a true center fielder of a safety; he sees everything and he has the range to get to where he needs to be.
This allows Tony Jefferson to be more of a in the box safety, which is where his strengths are. Not only is Thomas an upgrade at the free safety position but he will lift the value of having Jefferson as the starting strong safety.
The Ravens didn’t have to bring back both Smith and Carr. That was an expensive choice, it could be argued that having them both on the roster in 2019 is more of a luxury than a necessity. However it is a passing league and quarterback is the most important position in the game. It’s not a knock on Jackson to say that he will be outmatched as a passer in a handful of games. Great quarterbacks win a lot of games and the Ravens play too many great quarterbacks to skimp on their secondary.
Humphrey is a lock down cornerback. Smith and Carr aren’t easy for receivers to deal with. The amount of talent in the Ravens secondary is greater than it has been for a long time. The 2000 defense had Rod Woodson, Kim Herring, Chris McAlister and Duane Starks. This group is finally worthy of that historic secondary. With rotational players like Chuck Clark and Anthony Levine Sr., as well as Anthony Averett the secondary has the depth to go along with it’s top of the line talent.
Next. NFL Draft: 5 players that make sense for the Baltimore Ravens. dark
The Browns wide receiver depth chart may be all the talk of the offseason, but Baltimore may have just shielded themselves from the impact Cleveland’s big splash. Odell Beckham Jr. joining Jarvis Landry, Rashaad Higgins and tight end David Njoku, makes an impressive amount of weaponry for Mayfield to work with. The Ravens secondary will be tested, but if Baltimore wins the AFC North, the defensive backs will be the reason for their second consecutive division title.