Ravens OTA Depth Chart Analysis: Cornerbacks
With the Baltimore Ravens Organized Team Activities fully underway, I will be going through the Ravens position by position breaking down the depth and the competition. I will be categorizing players into one of three spots; locks to make the team, bubble players, and longshots.
Cornerbacks:
Locks: Jimmy Smith(8th), Marlon Humphrey(2nd), Tavon Young(3rd), Brandon Carr(11th), Maurice Canady(3rd), Anthony Averett(R)
It seems that every year the Ravens say that you can not have too many cornerbacks, but at the end of the season they are scrambling for bodies. This might be the year that they have enough. If Smith can be healthy by the beginning of the season he and Humphrey will be a top duo in the NFL. The Ravens are keeping Carr as an insurance policy for Smith but if Smith looks ready by training camp, Carr could be a late cut.
Averett and Young will battle for slot cornerback. Young has the advantage of experience but Averett played in Alabama and has more size. Averett may end up at either slot or outside but he is too talented to ride the bench this season. Canady will drop down the depth chart to special teams which is probably a good thing.
Bubble: Jaylen Hill(2nd), Stanley Jean-Baptiste(4th)
Jaylen Hill absolutely rocked in last years preseason but because of injuries was not able to get on the field and his season was shortened. If he can show that he is healthy he can push for snaps at slot and special teams.
Stanley is an extremely talented 2nd rounder who has battled injuries his entire career. If healthy he can also push for snaps at slot and special teams.
Long shots: Darious Williams(R), Robert Nelson Jr.(3rd)
Nelson has some starting experience and if there are injuries he would be the one to watch.
In this packed room the ones to watch are Smith and Carr. If Smith is ready by the beginning of training camp or even the preseason than there is no reason for Carr. The Ravens can use his roster spot to carry a younger back with more potential and the Ravens could gain 1.5 million in cap space by cutting him. This is not a knock on Carr, he played very well last season in games that did not feature Antonio Brown. Carr being the Ironman of the NFL is helpful, but a training camp cut could be in his future.
