Ebony Bird
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Who is next in line: Ronnie Stanley or Marlon Humphrey

By Chris Schisler

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 8: Ronnie Stanley #79 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to make a block for Mark Ingram #21 as he runs the ball during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Baltimore beats Buffalo 24 to 17. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 8: Ronnie Stanley #79 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to make a block for Mark Ingram #21 as he runs the ball during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Baltimore beats Buffalo 24 to 17. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 11: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 11: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

The case for Marlon Humphrey:

Whatever the Ravens decide to do with Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr, neither of them are getting younger. The cornerback position is a spot on the roster where there is always a lot of shuffling. The Ravens already extended the contract of Marcus Peters. Tavon Young is inked with Baltimore through the 2022 season. If the Ravens extend Marlon Humphrey, most of their secondary concerns will be taken care of for a long time. Remember, the Ravens just extended Chuck Clark‘s contract as well and the secondary is clearly a focus for DeCosta. Humphrey has a club option after this season. This means the Ravens have him for another two seasons at least. Like Stanley, he is going to be paid quite comfortably.

Humphrey is the player the Ravens may be able to get the bigger bargain on. Humphrey doesn’t have huge interception totals. While he is easily the best shut down cornerback in my estimation, he may not be valued as the best cornerback around the NFL.

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If a great cornerback is worth his weight in gold, a great left tackle is worth his weight in platinum because they are not enough of them to go around. That sounds like an argument for Stanley, right? Well it could mean that re-signing Humphrey first is the more realistic option. Since both of these players are key to what the Ravens want to do, the Ravens need to make the deal they can get done.

Humphrey locks down receivers better than anybody who has played for the Ravens since the days of Duane Starks and Chris McAlister. With Peters on the other side of Humphrey it is the best cornerback duo in the NFL and debating that is a fool’s errand. Humphrey is on his way to being the best cornerback in franchise history. A long-term contract with Humphrey would be one of the best outcomes to this offseason possible.

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