Typically, you cannot go wrong when drafting an Alabama defensive back no matter where they're found. When the Baltimore Ravens selected Jalyn Armour-Davis in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, they abided by this principle.
Yet, as Davis enters his fourth year in the league, he is suddenly facing an uphill battle in making a roster spot, and all of this after a difficult 2024 campaign.
Davis had multiple injuries throw off last season which ultimately ended with him landing on IR. Now, he'll have some competition for a coveted roster spot.
Jalyn Armour-Davis faces early competition in the Ravens' cornerback room
With OTAs in full swing, minicamp around the corner and training camp coming up real quick, Armour-Davis' time to perform starts now. He saw the Ravens add Chidobe Awuzie in free agency while drafting Robert Longerbeam and Bilhal Kone in the sixth round of the draft, this year.
The additions didn't stop there, though. Baltimore also piled on the competition by inking three undrafted free agents in Keyon Martin, Marquise Robinson and Reuben Lowry.
Not that it's a huge sample size, but in Armour-Davis' limited action last year, he was targeted 13 times and allowed nine completions, including a touchdown. His opposing passer rating of 115.5 (per Pro Football Reference) doesn't exactly tip the scale in his favor, either.
With Awuzie a lock along Longerbeam and Kone being brand-new draft capital spent, you'd figure the former and at least one of the two rookies make the roster along with Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins and TJ Tampa.
Where does that leave Armour-Davis? Is he now a fringe player who could compete for a job elsewhere during preseason play? Will he potentially be brought back on the practice squad?
I'd assume he gets claimed if cut by the end of the summer, but if the Ravens get him back on the practice squad that's a massive win.
This, of course, is assuming he doesn't do enough to stay ahead of the rookies over the summer. We'll see.