Baltimore Ravens resign Jimmy Smith, bolster secondary at good value
By Keith Runk
The Baltimore Ravens bring back veteran cornerback Jimmy Smith for his tenth season on a one-year contract worth up to $6 million.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Baltimore Ravens have resigned cornerback Jimmy Smith to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million via incentives.
In just nine games in 2019, Jimmy Smith allowed 28 receptions on 50 targets with seven passes defended and one interception. Smith was sidelined for seven games in 2019 due to a knee injury he suffered during the Ravens rout of the Dolphins in Week one.
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Despite struggling with injuries throughout his nine-year career in Baltimore, bringing back Smith only further reinforces a star-spangled Ravens secondary. With Tavon Young returning from an offseason ACL tear and All-Pro corners Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters locking down the outsides, it is likely Smith sees a rotational role in his tenth season.
When he is healthy, Jimmy Smith has been nothing but consistent for Baltimore. He’s not only good in coverage, but his 6’2″ 210-pound frame allows him to get physical with receivers at the line. Smith has a career grade of 77.7 based on Pro Football Focus‘ metrics and in 2017 notched his career-high grade of 81.9 allowing a passer rating of 49.2 when targeted.
Josh Norman‘s recent $6 million contract was likely to be the benchmark that set the market for Jimmy Smith, and the Ravens matched it. But—as is to be expected at this point—DeCosta has ensured the Ravens are getting maximum value.
Jason La Confora of CBS Sports reported the contract includes a $3.5 million guarantee with the other $2.5 million contingent upon his playing time. This acts as an insurance policy should Smith miss more time due to injury in 2020.
The focus has been all defense from the Ravens front office in the early going of Free Agency. The Smith signing is just the latest of a string of outstanding maneuvers GM Eric DeCosta has pulled to bolster a Ravens defense that finished fourth in total defense in 2019.
The Ravens shored up the interior with run-stuffers Calais Campbell and Michael Brockers. Bringing back Jimmy Smith retains continuity among an All-Star cast of Ravens defensive backs and keeps the passing lanes heavily defended.
Next. 3 predictions based on Baltimore Ravens additions to the defense. dark
After just one week of Free Agency, the Ravens have all but reloaded and there is still a month until the draft. In the wake of a historic regular season and a disappointing demise, the Ravens are gearing up to deliver the knockout blow in 2020.