Overview
- Head Coach: John Harbaugh
- Defensive Coordinator: Dean Pees
- Defensive Back Coach: Chris Hewitt
- Base Defense Scheme: 3-4
- Transactions: CB Cassius Vaughn signed
- Draft Picks: CB Tray Walker
Projected Starters
| CornerBack # 1: | Jimmy Smith | |
| CornerBack # 2: | Ladarius Webb | |
| Strong Safety : | Will Hill | |
| Free Safety : | Kendrick Lewis | |
|
||
The Numbers
Total Fantasy Points Allowed to WR: 405.76 Average Fantasy Points Per game against to WR: 25.36 Total Receiving Touchdowns Allowed: 22 Total Receiving Yards Allowed:3,060 Average Receiving yards per game against: 191.25
|
Strengths
The Ravens number in 2014 can be misleading as they were without their stud corner Jimmy Smith for eight games. They surrendered 271.3 receiving yards per game and 25.36 fantasy points per game, but only surrendered 22 receiving touchdowns which was tied for fifth fewest. Now they have Jimmy Smith back and also added former New England Patriots Kyle Arrington who will be the team’s nickel corner. With these two players lining up in the secondary at the start of the season, you have to think that some of the yardage allowed last season will be trimmed down a notch. However, this defense feeds off the pass rush provided by the front seven, so if the front seven doesn’t provide the elite pass rush they did last year, this secondary could remain average.
Weaknesses
The injury to Matt Elam could be looked at as a blessing in disguise as he was an absolutely terrible safety and slot corner in 2014. After being picked in 2013 it might already be time to rule him a first round bust. Ladarius Webb is definitely a corner who struggles to defend good wide receivers for an entire game. He is very up and down in pass coverage and struggles against shifty receivers. Antonio Brown consistently beat him last year so I will definitely look to target him in matchups against similar receivers.
Overall Outlook
The return of Jimmy Smith is definitely a positive for this unit and he looked absolutely lights out in week 1. They also signed Kendrick Lewis from the Texans. The resurgence of him and Brandon Flowers after their down years in Kansas City makes me believe that their were more then just issues with their play in Kansas City. They definitely had personal and scheme issues so I would put more stalk in Lewis’ year in Houston then his time in KC. I think he can continue to develop and be a strong force for this defensive unit. The loss of Terrell Suggs for the season cannot be taken lightly. This unit thrives when their front 7 is able to create pressure and there are few pass rushers in the league that are better then Suggs. Still I will be avoiding Wide Receivers who look like they will spend significant time being tracked by Jimmy Smith. Ladarius Webb is definitely the matchup to target in this defensive backfield.
