During the first half of the 2014 season, Jimmy Smith was playing the best football of his career. After missing four games in each of his first two seasons, he’d played in 24 consecutive contests. He was in the conversation for receiving a Pro Bowl nomination.
That is, until he injured his foot during Baltimore’s Week 8 game at Cincinnati. The Ravens lost that game, 27-24, and got torched by the arch-rival Steelers the following week, 43-23.
In addition to missing Smith for eight games, the Ravens were also without the services of Lardarius Webb (three games) and Asa Jackson (nine games).
Things got so bad that John Harbaugh had to ask one of his safeties, Anthony Levine, to step in and play cornerback. Levine appeared in every game the Ravens played last season (playoffs included), and performed well when he was called upon. Unfortunately, he’s going to become a restricted free agent on March 10.
Speaking of free agency, are there any cornerbacks out there that would fit the Ravens’ budget and playing style?
A source close to the Seahawks told me the following about Maxwell: “[It] sounds like he’s pretty much gone. I don’t know how much he’ll get but it’ll be more than Seattle can offer…I’d be shocked if he stayed in Seattle.” That makes sense, considering Maxwell reportedly has interest in signing with the Eagles.
Byron Maxwell (Seattle) and Sterling Moore (Dallas) are both 27 or younger and made less than $675,000 last year. Maxwell has recorded 67 tackles, 24 passes defensed, and six interceptions since 2013. Moore, in only seven starts last season, made 46 tackles, 12 passes defensed, and forced one fumble.
About six weeks ago, I wrote about how Moore would fit in well as a Raven. He hasn’t had many opportunities to start, but when he has been on the field, he’s performed very well. He might not garner a starting role, but he could play the role of a Robert Bailey or a Corey Ivy–a 3rd cornerback who gives you everything he has, makes plays, and doesn’t cost that much.
Adding either Maxwell or Moore would be beneficial to Baltimore’s defensive backfield.
But how can they bolster that unit via the draft?
Baltimore currently holds the No. 26 selection in the first round. Five times in 19 seasons, the Ravens selected a defensive back with their first pick:
- CB Duane Starks, Miami, 10th overall, 1998
- CB Chris McAlister, Arizona, 10th overall, 1999
- FS Ed Reed, Miami, 24th overall, 2002
- CB Jimmy Smith, Colorado, 27th overall, 2011
- SS Matt Elam, Florida, 32nd overall, 2013
That’s a pretty good track record. Who might be added to that list this Spring?
Trae Waynes (Michigan State) and Jalen Collins (LSU) look to be the top two cornerbacks in this draft. According to most mock drafts, Waynes will be the first cornerback selected, some time between picks 10-15. Collins, though, is who I’d prefer Baltimore to pick.
Marcus Peters (Washington) is a name that has been mentioned in accordance with the Ravens first round choice, too. However, I don’t think he’s as good of a fit as the other two players previously mentioned. First, he’s a little slower and smaller than Waynes and Collins. Second, he got kicked off the team for “multiple run-ins with the coaching staff.”
According to Peters’ NFL.com draft profile, one NFC personnel director said, “I wouldn’t take him inside the first two rounds.”
Despite Peters being extremely physical, supremely confident, and able to play the line of scrimmage as well as any cornerback in this draft, his problem with authority will not play well with John Harbaugh and Co.
Though he only made 10 starts in college, Collins started for LSU’s 3rd-ranked pass defense. He reminds me a little bit of Richard Sherman, with less experience but better speed. He has the athletic ability to defend deep down the field and almost exclusively played press coverage. He tracks the ball well in the air and contests every catch.
Collins’ problem is that he’s still learning the position. At times against Alabama, he allowed the receiver a free release in red zone situations, which is obviously not good. One time in particular, it cost LSU a touchdown.
Long story short, Collins possesses the talent of an elite cornerback. He just needs to learn how to maximize that talent.
Imagine if Baltimore could call upon Smith’s range, Webb’s savvy, Maxwell’s/Moore’s toughness, Jackson’s quickness, Levine’s versatility, and Collins’ athleticism. All of a sudden, and without breaking the bank, Baltimore’s cornerbacks pose a threat again.
With a patchwork secondary, Baltimore still finished as the 10th-best pass defense in the NFL last year.
Imagine what healthy starters and a couple of key additions would do.
