Ravens Week 1 Stock Report: Justin Madubuike shines, running backs disappoint
By Jake Lippman
Marcus Williams, S, Ravens (Trending Up)
Joining the team this year on a big free agent contract, Marcus Williams was supposed to be an impact signing.
Coming into a defensive backfield that already had leader Chuck Clark, a secondary with cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, and the recent addition of first-round pick Kyle Hamilton, Williams was expected to be the final piece and he was nothing short of it on Sunday.
Williams led the team with 12 total tackles. In addition to that, he had a pass breakup, an interception, and was all over the field. Flying around in the secondary is something that Ravens fans have been accustomed to.
I, for one, grew up watching Ed Reed fly around the defensive backfield. Williams showed the ability to have that kind of impact. In four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, Williams had 15 interceptions; in one game with the Ravens, he has already added to the total.
Moving forward with the season, the team needs to deal with the loss of Kyle Fuller at cornerback. This means versatile defender Brandon Stephens is going to need to play more at the position.
Looking ahead, this means that the Ravens will be ultra-reliant on Marcus Williams to hold together the back end. His stock is trending up and I would buy in now.