The Baltimore Ravens might have an improved secondary…might. Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins were excellent in the team’s Week 1 win, but Week 2 presents an even bigger challenge: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave.
While Humphrey and Wiggins looked far better than their 2025 selves to start the year, the truth is, they didn’t have an Olave-level matchup on the opposite sideline. Alec Pierce was hindered by a heel injury, and Josh Downs is just a fine WR2.
Olave is different.
The Saints' lead wideout signed a four-year deal worth up to $132 million this past offseason and started his 2026 campaign sizzling hot with 10 receptions for 182 yards against the Detroit Lions. He’s currently listed as questionable for Week 2, but is trending toward playing.
If Humphrey and Wiggins are going to re-emerge as a top cornerback duo, though, they need to limit him on Sunday.
Baltimore Ravens’ secondary needs to prove they can hold their own against Chris Olave
Chris Olave is coming off a career-best season. He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2025, totaling 100 receptions, 1,163 yards, and 9 touchdowns. The Ohio State product is also an explosive play waiting to happen, as he’s already off to an absurd start with 18.2 yards per reception.
Before Week 1, you’d probably think that's a huge opportunity for Olave to go nuclear in Week 2 against the Ravens. As Olave just reached the pinnacle of his NFL career up to this point, Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins had their worst seasons—they were No. 1 and 2 in yards allowed in coverage last year.
Thankfully, it looks like that’s changing.
Humphrey was the team’s second highest-graded defender in Week 1 with a 92.8 Pro Football Focus grade. Wiggins, on the other hand, was targeted just twice, allowed zero receptions, and broke up one pass. That looks to be a lockdown duo.
However, that was against the Colts. They didn’t have a Chris Olave-type at wide receiver, and they were trotting out Daniel Jones in his first game back from an Achilles tear. The Saints offense isn’t lethal, but it could prove to be a more lively animal to tame.
Olave could quickly dice up Baltimore’s secondary, too. He’s an explosive vertical threat, but what makes him so great is his route running. He’s a master of that craft. Last week, he averaged 3.3 yards of separation—he can be truly unguardable.
Humphrey knows it, too. During his press conference on Wednesday, he spoke about the tall task of covering Olave.
“Putting a cap on Olave is kind of where it starts,” Humphrey said. “If we can hold him to the lower side of receptions and yards, we have a good chance…Olave’s been the force."
The Ravens have the talent to match up well, though. Not only are Humphrey and Wiggins showing encouraging signs early, but the team also has three outstanding safeties in Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, and Jaylinn Hawkins. With them, head coach Jesse Minter can draw up some diabolical schemes to limit the big plays and confuse quarterbacks.
Just take a look at what he dialed up last week in Indianapolis.
The Ravens' Head Coach, Jesse Minter, used a 3-Safety structure on long-yardage passing downs during his tenure with the Chargers.
— Cody Alexander (@The_Coach_A) September 15, 2026
That scheme was present in Week 1 vs. the Colts.
With three Safeties starting from depth, the secondary can spin into multiple looks.
Along with… pic.twitter.com/QFLDRuymoD
It won’t be easy, but Baltimore has all the pieces in place to contain Olave. While he’s likely too talented to be held to a quiet performance, if Humphrey and Wiggins stay in their newfound rhythm, the Ravens should have the upper hand in this bout.
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