The Baltimore Ravens have built up one of the best secondaries in the NFL over the past few years. The depth that they have make it so they can continuously throw talented (and fresh) playmakers at opposing offenses, making them a handful to deal with.
The top player in Baltimore’s secondary at the moment is cornerback Marlon Humphrey. He has turned into one of the best defenders in the NFL and is known for his sticky coverage, physicality, and ability to force fumbles.
On an ESPN collaborative top 10 list where over 50 players, coaches, scouts and league executives were surveyed, Humphrey was put at the No. 2 spot. There were plenty of reasons that people pointed to for his ranking, including the physicality that he displays. An AFC Coordinator had this to say about Humphrey.
“He’s the one guy, if you think back to Peanut Tillman, he’s asserting himself like that. Maybe not a twitchy guy but man coverage skills, toughness, knack to getting the ball, adequate speed and good size.”
Humphrey was also praised for his coverage skills by an NFC coach.
“He’s just tough — ball hawk, long, rangy, plays different now than in college. Before you play him, you’re showing his turnover reel to your team — ‘Let’s not tempt him.'”
The former University of Alabama star will continue to keep offenses up at night. He has to be accounted for wherever he is on the field, and ball carriers have to protect the football at all times, or else Humphrey could make them pay. The fact that Humphrey was ranked so highly on this list speaks volumes about how he’s viewed around the league, as it seems he’s widely respected by his peers and others throughout the NFL.