Street Talk

Cornering The Market

by Carey Stevenson

March 22, 2017
3:05 pm

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Positional Overview: Cornerback

The decline of the position has been gradual and painful. Last year’s revolving door of ineffectiveness was the continuation of a trend and has resulted in a crossroads of sorts. The Ravens haven’t drafted a corner in the first 3 rounds since they selected Jimmy Smith in 2011. They’ve struck out in their sparse free agency attempts and their mid to late round selections have bared little fruit. The need is clear and present and more pronounced than ever before.

How will they finally address it?

Let’s take a look at the roster as it currently stands

Needs

* Starting caliber boundary corner
* Backup nickel corner
* Talent/depth

The acquisition of Brandon Carr in free agency was a big step in the right direction. He and Jimmy Smith make for a formidable duo of press corners. The Ravens are hoping he brings stability to the position but have to plan for scenario where he’s not. Carr turns 31 in May and is essentially on a pay as you go deal. As we know, Father Time is undefeated and usually quite cruel in his victories (see Darrelle Revis). The team will need reinforcements just in case Carr’s skills start to erode sooner rather than later. His addition however does take pressure off the team having to draft a corner in the 1st or maybe even 2nd round.

Another reason the Ravens will need to stay in the corner market is the health of Jimmy Smith. He’s only played a full year in 2 of his 6 seasons as a pro. When he’s on the field he’s tremendous but it’s difficult to count on that being the case. Hope for the best…but plan for the worst.

The team really strengthened two spots when they signed Brandon Carr. Carr > Shareece Wright at boundary corner but also it allows Tavon Young to slide into his more natural slot corner position where he’ll represent a massive upgrade.

Young was a revelation during his rookie season showing the speed, instincts and toughness that made him a standout at Temple. Last season was great for his development, showed he could hold up on the boundary. If injuries arise again he could play there in a pinch, but the slot is where you maximize him as a player. The slot corner position has become a vital part of NFL defense and Young’s short area quickness, ball skills and tenacity give him the chance to be one of the better ones in football.

Kyle Arrington’s is roster is frankly a bit of a surprise. The Ravens could save $2.1 million in cap space by releasing him and he really hasn’t done much to help on the field in his tenure here. He took a pay cut to stay on the roster last season and it’s possible that could again happen. It’s also possible, maybe even likely, that he’s released later in the offseason to free up cap for another move. It’s also possible that he’s on the roster because he hasn’t yet been given the green light in the concussion protocol process.

The rest of the current depth chart at CB consists of fringe guys. Maurice Canady and Sheldon Price are intriguing players. Both are long, athletic guys with speed. They look the part of outside corners in the NFL but competition should be brought in to prop up the bottom of the depth chart.

Free Agent Options

Nickell Robey Coleman: The diminutive corner could add depth and talent to the slot corner position. He was released by the Bills right before free agency so he would not count towards the compensatory total. He’ll likely be looking to secure more playing time than the Ravens can offer, but if his market dries he’d be a nice option.

Leon Hall: Similar thoughts, role as a backup slot corner. Would have to be a post June 1 signing to not disrupt the compensatory equation.

Brandon Flowers: See above

Draft Options

Fabian Moreau, CB UCLA

Long, physical and athletic corner who fits the profile the Ravens like at the position. Looked like a guy you could get in the 3rd or 4th round earlier in the process but he shined at the combine running a 4.35-40 and is now being pushed up the board.

Projection: 2nd round

[youtube]https://youtu.be/J4xOJVabZ2Q[/youtube]

Sidney Jones, CB Washington

He’s an interesting case now. Before suffering an Achilles injury at Washington’s pro day, he looked like a Top-20 pick. He’s a very smooth fluid athlete that gets into passing lanes and sticks his nose in as a run defender. Can the Ravens take him knowing he likely won’t give them anything this year but could be a high-level starter for years to come?

Projection: 3rd round

[youtube]https://youtu.be/eUGPg4Z1KFs[/youtube]

Howard Wilson, CB Houston

Another long athletic corner that moves well laterally for a guy his size. He doesn’t have the standout speed but he gets his hands on the football. The Ravens have to start forcing more turnovers to return to contention and this guy could bring that.

Projection: 3rd round

[youtube]https://youtu.be/agLsarSoeqQ[/youtube]

Corn Elder, CB Miami

Elder doesn’t have the size or long speed to play outside in the NFL but he could still be an important cog in a defense. He’s tough, instinctive, physical football player. All traits that will serve him well in the slot. If he was a couple inches taller we’re probably talking 2nd or 3rd round for him.

Projection: 5th round

cornerback, Jimmy Smith, Ravens, Tavon Young

Carey Stevenson

Carey is a driven sports enthusiast from Norfolk, Virginia. He's looked upon by all his friends and family as an advisor, provider of on the spot scouting reports and the occasional dusting off of the old crystal ball. He is a loyal and devoted Ravens fan that spends countless hours in his war room/bedroom going over tape, scouting reports and potential free agents as if he's actually the one making draft and game day decisions. He's a sports management major that looks forward to the day that he may actually be called upon to make some of the decisions he analyzes as if life depended on it. He is a critical yet rational thinker that is always in search of more knowledge about the game.