Ravens are excited to see CB Anthony Averett in an expanded role on defense

The Baltimore Ravens have been heavily investing in their secondary over the last few years with draft picks, veteran free agent signings and there was the trade for All-Pro corner Marcus Peters midway through last season which has worked out fantastically for all parties involved.

Playing time has been hard to come by for third-year corner Anthony Averett who the team selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He’s seen some extensive playing time in spurts during his first two seasons when some starters have been banged up or missed a handful of games, but for the most part, he’s been stuck behind a logjam at cornerback and has mostly been relegated to special teams.

However, following the season-ending injury to star nickel corner, Tavon Young who suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans and will miss the remainder of the year, Averett is in store for an expanded role on defense behind starters Peters and his fellow All-Pro Frist Teamer Marlon Humphrey as well as veteran Jimmy Smith.

Smith was slated to play a hybrid safety role this year but will likely be playing more outside corner this season since Humphrey is the top and best option to take over Young’s slot duties like he did against the Texans and for the majority of last season.

Averett played 23 of the Ravens’ 59 defensive snaps on Sunday and while most fans watching at home viewed him as a liability in coverage that Texans’ quarterback DeShaun Watson attacked when he was in one-on-one coverage and took to Twitter to express their displeasure with his play, Head Coach John Harbaugh liked what he saw from the third-year pro and is excited to see what he can do with an opportunity for more playing in the wake of Young’s injury.

“I thought he played well,” Harbaugh said. “They were looking at him a little bit and he played well. They called him one time for illegal contact, I didn’t see it on the tape. Can’t fault the coverage there at all and he was running to the ball, had a couple of tackles.

“Anthony’s not a concern for us. He’s practiced really well, he’s played well when he’s played. He’s kind of biding his time. This will certainly be his opportunity to step in there and show what he can do. He’s played really well on special teams this year. We’re not concerned about Anthony. We’re excited to see him play.”

Against the Texans, he recorded four tackles but his most infamous play that fans were griping about from Sunday was when he gave up a 24-yard catch to Houston receiver Brandon Cooks in man coverage on third-and-15 late in the third quarter with Ravens up by 13 points.

Baltimore will welcome reigning Superbowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs to town for a primetime matchup on Monday Night Football in Week Three. Since the Ravens like to rotate their corners throughout the game, Averett will need to bring his ‘A’ game because Mahomes will not hesitate to target any perceived vulnerability in the Ravens’ talented secondary and will give his plethora of weapons plenty of opportunities to make plays in the passing game.

Please follow and like us:

You may also like...

Follow by Email