CB Ahmad Gardner is a ‘dream draft target’ for the Ravens
By Kristen Wong
The Baltimore Ravens could lock down their defensive backfield with cornerback prospect Ahmad Gardner in 2022. Is Gardner the dream draft pick?
Baltimore’s secondary hurt the most last season due to injuries and inexperience and picking up a starting-caliber talent like Gardner may be in the team’s best interest.
The Ravens will get plenty of help from Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters next season, but when it comes to playoff contention, depth is the name of the game.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay identified every NFL team’s dream draft target in 2022 and had Baltimore nabbing Gardner.
"“The Cincinnati product is excellent in coverage, excelling in both man and zone schemes. He’s smooth and quick while still standing a towering 6’3″, a stature that allows him to go toe-to-toe with any opposing wideout.With little depth at the position behind Peters and Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore would be making a mistake to pass on Gardner if he falls to No. 14.”"
The Ravens can’t go wrong by picking cornerback Ahmad Gardner in 2022
With Peters coming off a torn ACL and entering the final year of his contract, the team may yet release or trade the veteran ballhawk to save roughly $10 million in cap space.
Peters’ assumed replacement, Anthony Averett, is set to hit free agency and could find a more lucrative contract on another team.
Marlon Humphrey thus remains the most seasoned corner on the team, but even he is recovering from a pectoral injury, and the Ravens need the extra depth if Humphrey misses more time in 2022.
All things considered, Gardner would be a safe pick and would immediately fill a major position of need. The Ravens only have developmental players behind Humphrey and Peters, and after the 2021 season, the team’s pass defense has taken a hard fall to the bottom of the league.
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The Ravens have many other areas to improve, especially within the offensive and defensive lines, but if Gardner is available at pick No. 14, Baltimore would be making a smart choice in investing in a young and talented corner.