Baltimore went to work this offseason with a strong focus on improving their defensive backfield. But did the recent signing of Kyle Fuller solidify them as the league’s best secondary?
The Three Headed Monster At Cornerback
The Ravens have had one of the league’s top corner-tandems the past few seasons in Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, but adding Fuller makes them a lot better. Last season, Humphrey played in just 12 games, but still broke up 13 passes, intercepted 1 pass, and made 58 tackles. An issue that many corners face in their games is tackling; that isn’t an issue for Humphrey. He’s one of the league’s best tackling corners and stops receivers from picking up RAC.
On the opposite side of Humphrey stands Marcus Peters. In 14 games with Baltimore last year, Peters made quarterbacks shiver; he picked off 4 passes, broke up 12 passes, and forced 4 fumbles to go with 52 tackles. Peters really has a nose for the ball and is the ball hawk of the duo. They’re like a cop tandem, but instead of good cop, bad cop it’s ball hawking corner and bruising corner. Since 2015 when Peters came in the league, he has had only one season under 3 interceptions.
Now you toss Fuller into the mix. Last season with Denver, Fuller broke up 4 passes with 51 tackles. While those numbers don’t jump off the screen, he’s four years removed from leading the league in interceptions, tallying seven in 2018. He also adds versatility as he can play slot corner and be on the field at the same time as Peters and Humphrey. The former All-Pro Fuller also doesn’t miss games; in his seven-year career, he’s only missed one game. This is a great addition and is a plus that he’s a Baltimore native.
Adding Safeties This Offseason Elevates Their Secondary
While Baltimore’s two starting corners will stay the same as last year, their safety tandem looks a lot different. During free agency, the Ravens went out and signed Marcus Williams to a 5 year, $70 million contract. Last season with New Orleans, Williams had one of the best years of his five-year career; the Utah alum made 74 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 8 pass breakups. At free safety in Baltimore’s scheme, he’ll be a great center fielder against Amari Cooper, Chase Claypool, and Ja’Marr Chase.
The other new safety that Baltimore will be starting this year is Notre Dame rookie Kyle Hamilton. Hamilton, who I think was one of the best players in the draft, fell to Baltimore at 14 overall and they jumped at the opportunity to grab the 6’4 strong safety. In 2021 with the Irish, Hamilton made 34 tackles, broke up 4 passes, and intercepted 3 passes. If you watch Hamilton’s tape, you can see that he does it all. He’s able to track hash to sideline in coverage, come down like a bat out of hell in run support, and play in the box or be a nickel corner.
Baltimore still holds onto Chuck Clark and Tony Jefferson who were productive in 2021. The two combined for 98 tackles, 2 sacks, and 13 pass breakups last year.
What’s Twitters Verdict?
When deals like this happen to elevate a position group from good to great, Twitter goes to town. The signing of Fuller seemed like an overall positive one online which is good if you’re a Ravens fan and bad if you’re a Steelers, Browns, or Bengals fan.
This revamped Ravens secondary has them poised to make a playoff run in 2022 and could derail the Bengals from making it back to the Super Bowl. Quarterbacks and receivers beware of playing Baltimore next season.
