Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens: Top 10 defensive backs in franchise history

By Chris Schisler

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Marcus Peters #24 and teammate Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens react after breaking up a pass during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 08, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Marcus Peters #24 and teammate Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens react after breaking up a pass during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 08, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens takes the field before the game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens takes the field before the game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

6.  Eric Weddle

The Ravens didn’t get Weddle in the prime of his career, but they got three strong seasons from him. Weddle was a leader for the defense. He was a coach on the field kind of a player and it made a huge difference. The only things that fit more than Weddle and the Ravens are chocolate and caramel and bacon on a sandwich. Weddle was a very good player for the Ravens and he was a textbook definition of what a Ravens player should be. One of the most frustrating facts in Ravens history is that the franchise didn’t get Weddle a Super Bowl ring.

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Weddle went to the Pro Bowl all three years he was with the Ravens. In three years he totaled 220 tackles, 10 interceptions and three interception returns for a touchdown. Weddle is a Ravens legend and reaching that status in three years is very impressive work. He was a productive player, yet statistics don’t tell you what he was all about.

5. Jimmy Smith

I listed Jimmy Smith as my most underrated cornerback in franchise history. If you needed to take a receiver out of a game, and you could pick any cornerback in Ravens history, Smith would have to be on your shortlist. Other than two cornerbacks on this list, Smith was the best cornerback in Ravens history at physically matching up with elite receivers. Smith doesn’t have great interception totals, but he has always been a stingy cover corner.

Smith has been with the Ravens since he was drafted in 2011. The fact that he’s never been to a Pro Bowl is mind boggling. It’s important to remember that Smith already has an impressive resume and he’s still adding to it. The Ravens could have justified saying goodbye to Smith this offseason. The fact that they didn’t speaks volumes to how good he still is.

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