The Baltimore Ravens are working on re-signing several of their own players ahead of the start of free agency. One such player is cornerback Jimmy Smith apparently.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said the team is in the midst of contract talks with Smith, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec. However, DeCosta noted that he felt Smith was going to test his value on the open market still.
For many fans, it seemed like Smith was definitely on his way out of Baltimore this offseason, so this news might come as a bit of a shock.
The Ravens don’t seem like Smith’s ideal situation. They already have top outside cornerbacks in Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters alongside slot cornerback Tavon Young. That would likely relegate Smith to a backup role in Baltimore. Though Smith’s extensive injury history is problematic — he’s missed 20 games over the last four years –, he’s capable of being a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback when healthy. For a team that needs a starting cornerback, Smith could be an affordable but solid option in free agency. With that role likely comes more money and a longer-term contract.
Baltimore has to make a decision on cornerback Brandon Carr this offseason, who is due a $1.5 million roster bonus on March 22, according to Over The Cap. Cutting Carr before the roster bonus would free up another $6 million on the Ravens’ salary cap this season but they’d be a little thin if Smith leaves in free agency as well.
Baltimore is set to lead the league in spending at cornerback for the 2020 NFL season, according to OTC. Though cutting Carr would push them down to the second-most money spent at cornerback, the Ravens have invested heavily at cornerback over the last few years. In addition to giving Peters a three-year extension last season, Baltimore gave Young a three-year extension prior to the 2019 season.
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