The Baltimore Ravens defense struggled mightily for most of 2024, and the secondary was at the forefront of those struggles. It seemed like every week, the group was getting gashed for big plays. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr turned the ship around later in the season, but worries remain ahead of 2025.
The secondary added a ton of talent this past offseason. Baltimore signed veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, drafted safety Malaki Starks, and added a couple of other late-round corners later in that draft. However, while those acquisitions should bring talent to a desperate secondary, the future remains uncertain. Second-year corner T.J. Tampa could hold the formula to a big 2025 campaign for Baltimore’s secondary.
T.J. Tampa could be a game-changer in 2025
Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine highlighted every NFL team's top position battle and breakout candidate in 2025. Tampa is expected to be the Ravens' breakout player for this summer and all the makings are there for him to capture the opportunity that lies ahead.
When the Ravens drafted Tampa in the fourth round in the 2024 NFL Draft, analysts believed they were getting one of the draft's steals. Expectations were high for the Iowa State product, but a season of nagging injuries kept Tampa from showcasing his abilities.
During weeks when Tampa was healthy, it was only for limited snaps on defense and special teams play. That is the usual usage for a rookie corner under John Harbaugh. It took Nate Wiggins several weeks before he earned consistent starting snaps last season, and Marlon Humphrey faced the same struggle for reps in his rookie year. For Tampa, 2025 offers a chance to earn the coaching staff’s faith and push the defense to new heights.
Awuzie is expected to be the starting boundary corner opposite of Wiggins this season, allowing Humphrey to thrive in the slot. Tampa will likely be the first corner ready to come off the bench, rotating in with Awuzie. With a strong camp, though, Tampa could steal Awuzie’s job.
Awuzie earned a 64.4 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024, but the year was cut short by a groin injury, holding him to eight games. The former Tennessee Titan also tore his ACL in 2022. At 30 years old, the injuries could add up, and if he slows down, Tampa could capitalize on the opportunity to earn consistent playing time and break out this upcoming season.
In college, Tampa was known for his press coverage skills and success at the catch point. The question marks surrounded his athleticism and short-area quickness, which remained worrisome in his limited reps in his rookie year. However, as he continues to adjust to the NFL level, he could prove himself as the perfect running mate with Wiggins on the outside.
Tampa’s size and physicality to win consistently in press coverage makes him an ideal pairing with Wiggins. While Wiggins brings an exciting blend of athleticism and playmaking ability, Tampa can offer an aggressive nature on the opposite end, giving the Ravens a versatile pairing along with the All-Pro Humphrey in the slot.
While the opportunity is there, Tampa still has a lot to prove. We have yet to see him at 100 percent, and he must showcase what he could become to win Harbaugh’s trust. With the veteran Awuzie and rookie corners Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam entering the fray, Tampa needs to attack these coming months as if he were a rookie looking to earn his stripes. Regardless, Baltimore’s secondary should look miles better than in 2024.
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