The Baltimore Ravens suffered a tough blow to their defense Thursday when the team announced CB Tavon Young tore his ACL. It was a non-contact injury for Young, who was surprisingly one of the better nickel corners in the NFL last year. As a rookie fourth round pick out of Temple, Young played beyond expectations and was going to be a key part of the defense this year. Now, the Ravens could need to look outside the team for a replacement.
The Ravens added both Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Carr in the offseason to pair with Jimmy Smith, but those three have little-to-no nickel experience. Safety Ladarius Webb could move down, but he's played mostly safety the past few years and isn't the same player he once was. Maurice Canady, a sixth round pick last year from Virginia, took over for Young after the injury at practice, but he played in only four games last year. At the very least, the Ravens should explore adding someone to take over for Young, even if Baltimore elects to stay in-house. With that in mind, here are 5 CBs The Ravens Could Acquire As Replacements For Tavon Young:
Brandon Boykin
It wasn't long ago that Boykin was actually one of the better nickel corners in the NFL. Boykin thrived with the Eagles earlier in his career, but then bounced from the Steelers to the Panthers to the Bears, before an injury shut him down. He remains unsigned and the Ravens could be willing to take a preseason flier on Boykin. He won't command any guaranteed money, making it a low-risk, high-reward move that could pay off for 2017.
Brandon Flowers
When Flowers is in a zone scheme, he's a reliable corner. When asked to play man-to-man, he struggles. He does have some nickel experience from his time in Kansas City, but isn't the same player he once was. He's posted just one INT over the past two years and at age 31, he's not going to get much better. It's an option worth exploring, especially if the Ravens are willing to run mostly zone this year.
Leon Hall
Ravens fans know Hall from his time with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was a backup corner for the Giants last year, who also played some safety. His play has declined the past few years, but he's still managed an interception each year in his NFL career. He offers some versatility and could be a quality veteran addition at nickel corner.
Leodis McKelvin
McKelvin is coming off a bit of a rough year for the Eagles, where he was probably asked to do too much. But in Baltimore, McKelvin could have a bounce back year as a nickel corner, a role he's said he's willing to play. A former first round pick, McKelvin can still contribute as a nickel or dime corner.
Alterraun Verner
Here's yet another player who struggled after moving teams in free agency (there's a reason all these players are still unsigned after all). Verner was cut by the Bucs to help free up more time for second-year player Vernon Hargreaves, but even though he wasn't as good in Tampa Bay as he was in Tennessee, Verner can help out Baltimore. Although Verner struggle as a nickel corner in Tampa, he might play better in Baltimore.
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