Cornerback
Current roster: Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Tavon Young, Jimmy Smith, Iman Marshall, Anthony Averett, Terrell Bonds
Much like safety, cornerback has the starters already in place but very little experienced or functional depth behind them. Given the Ravens’ injury history at cornerback over the last decade, there is little doubt they’ll be adding more pieces to their secondary in the event someone goes down.
Marshall and Bonds have very little playing time and are more developmental options. Bonds was on the practice squad last season while Marshall spent more of the year on injured reserve, playing just four defensive snaps over three games. Though Averett has more playing time and starting experience, he struggled last season in the starting role for the injured Jimmy Smith before getting replaced when Baltimore added Peters via trade.
Since the Ravens carried six cornerbacks on their roster at the end of last season, I’d expect them to enter this season with at least the same number. With Young’s neck injury still being a question mark, jumping up to seven for more insurance shouldn’t be ruled out either. That means adding at least one more player to the depth chart.
With Baltimore bringing back Smith, they have their experienced depth option for this season. Though I still wouldn’t rule out Brandon Carr being re-signed later in free agency if they can get him on a cheap one-year deal. His versatility both inside, outside and at safety would really help the secondary.
Baltimore needs to restock its youth at the position primarily and will undoubtedly address that in the draft. While they don’t need an immediate starter, that hasn’t stopped the Ravens from grabbing a cornerback they love in the first round, so we can’t rule that idea out.