Baltimore Ravens Draft: Ravens need ball skills in secondary
Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Trae Waynes (15) during the game against the Baylor Bears in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Bears 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
One thing just about every Ravens’ fan, analyst, player and decision-maker can agree on is the need for help at cornerback. With Jimmy Smith returning from injury, Lardarius Webb‘s contract being a huge question and no other corner on the team being proven, the Ravens are in desperate need of help. When the Baltimore Ravens draft a cornerback this year, though, they need to have a special skill in mind: ball skills.
For most of the season, Ravens’ cornerbacks had no prayer against a well thrown deep ball. They stubbornly refused to turn their heads and track the ball, resulting in big plays or pass interference penalties. Chykie Brown, Dominique Franks, Anthony Levine and Rashaan Melvin all fell victim to this mistake at times.
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In some cases, this mistake single-handedly lost games, such as when Levine’s pass interference penalty essentially gift wrapped the San Diego Chargers’ 34-33 win in Baltimore.
For some reason, the ability to track the ball in the air remains a huge issue for the Ravens. In fact, the Ravens’ ball skills in the secondary are so bad and so widespread that it may be because of coaching.
But let’s ignore that possibility and focus on one thing nobody can deny: The Ravens filled out their secondary with spare parts last year. That was certainly true after Jimmy Smith went down with an injury, but honestly, it was even true before that. Trying to trot out Asa Jackson or Chykie Brown in a nickel role was always a risky move. It backfired, and the Ravens’ secondary was a disaster.
Misjudging the ball or not even trying to play the ball at all were the two most common errors for the Ravens’ cornerbacks. It was maddening: Even when guys like Levine or Melvin had good positioning, they gave up big plays.
The Ravens need to fix that. As much as they need a jump ball receiver in the draft, they also need a jump ball cornerback. After all, the Ravens see A.J. Green twice a year. They will see Martavis Bryant twice a year. They need to deal with Rob Gronkowski in every postseason. They need a guy who can matchup.
What they don’t need is another athletic project. Jimmy Smith fit that bill, and though he panned out, most of those types of players don’t. Chykie Brown was another one, and look what happened to him. Jalen Collins from LSU, ESPN’s Todd McShay’s pick for the Ravens in his latest mock, fits that description as well. The Ravens would be wise to take a pass on Collins.
As Ravens-oriented draftniks watch this year’s cornerback crop, ball skills need to be first and foremost in everyone’s mind. That entails size, proper body positioning, the ability to turn the head and the leaping ability to make a play.
That’s easier said than done. Go find that cornerback, Ozzie Newsome.