On Friday afternoon, the Ravens signed cornerback Jerraud Powers, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals. Powers started during every season of his career. That includes his time in both Arizona and his first four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. The RSR writers react to the signing.
Ravens signed corner Jerraud Powers to one-year contract
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 13, 2016
Kyle Casey
Powers gives the Ravens another cornerback to work with in training camp. Before the signing, the corner depth was severely lacking. He’s a proven commodity who has an inside track to a roster spot, especially given the injury history of Will Davis and the decline of Kyle Arrington.
Tyler Lombardi
There was a reason that Jerraud Powers was still on the market all this time. The feeling from Revenge of the Birds, SBNation’s Arizona Cardinals affiliate, is that he was asking for too much money.
Powers has historically graded well covering from the slot in his career. That’s exactly what the Ravens need.
Of course, Kyle Arrington looked pretty good from the slot for most of his career. Powers is the same age as Arrington was heading into last season. We’ll see how the contract looks, but a one-year deal gives the Ravens an option to opt out of the contract if things don’t go as planned.
The timing of the pick should have fans celebrating. It comes one day after the end of the compensatory pick period. Maybe that’s why it took Powers so long to find a home.
Timing of the signing is strategic so as to not jeopardize Ravens' 3rd rd 2017 compensatory pick for Kelechi Osemele https://t.co/k5yRE9NFky
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) May 13, 2016
Brian Bower
Solid move. At the very least, he will add depth to the position. It was just a matter of time until the right player became available for Newsome and company. If he can stay healthy, which he has done throughout most of his career, he brings a very low risk.
Mike Fast
I’m a big fan. Like Richardson coming on board, this is a low-risk move by Baltimore to add veteran depth to a position which needs it. Powers played in Arizona’s dogged defense, so his toughness and versatility should come in handy for the Ravens, especially during divisional games.
Ryan Jones
Powers is a solid addition for the Ravens. He flew under the radar in Arizona with guys like Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson garnering all the headlines, but he makes for a nice addition to the secondary.
This is probably the first of several moves over the next few weeks for the Ravens now that signings won’t impact any compensatory picks.
Ken McKusick
Powers is another small (5’9”) cornerback who should come in and compete for time at nickel and provide some depth. He’s listed as LCB or RCB throughout his career, which includes 82 starts in 87 games, but I don’t see him playing on the outside unless dictated by injury. I don’t think this acquisition improves Kyle Arrington’s chance to make the team and I hope that decision will fall primarily to Frazier and Harbaugh and not Pees.
Kyle Rate
In terms of talent he may very well be the Ravens’ second or third best corner before even walking in the door, which speaks more to the lack of depth at the position than to Powers’ skill. But I like this move. Powers has worked alongside some very talented cover men in Arizona and should be able to add a solid veteran presence in the slot. Cornerback will will never be a position of strength this season, but this was a move that needed to be made.
Joe Polek
At this point, nothing can hurt, can it? Anyone they bring in, especially on a 1-year deal, is going to fight for a job. If they beat out the competition, GREAT! If they don’t, they simply get cut without much of a loss for the team. Powers will be a good fight in the Ravens D and should help in a secondary that needs it.
