Training camp is in full swing now, and we’re starting to get pretty good impressions of all the position groups as we advance. In the last article, we discussed the wide receiver group heading into camp. As everyone has answered in the Ravens ATB poll, we’ll discuss the cornerbacks of 2022.

This unit has been plagued with injury the past few years, particularly during the 2021 season. These guys are looking to make a strong comeback in the upcoming season. It’s the talk of the fan base — and our divisional opponent’s fan bases — on how they’ll hold up to the rest of the division’s top-notch QB/WR duos. We have some answers for you.

The Baltimore Ravens cornerbacks of 2022 will make big splashes in the future

CB1, arguably the leader of this group so far, is the one and the only man who makes tons of questionable Twitter takes, Marlon Humphrey. This guy tore his right pectoral tendon in the Ravens vs. Steelers match-up at the now Acrisure Stadium (formerly known as Heinz Field), doing his best to make the tackle on Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson.

With determination, hard work, and trust in the rehab process, he has been a solid, known presence in training camp. We see instances of the famous “fruit punch” also returning. We’re all very excited for Humphrey to continue the progress forward to be one half of the best cornerback duo in the league in 2022.

Going to the guy on the other side

The man, the myth, the legend. The guy ready to take your chain or intercept your favorite quarterback. Marcus Peters is an absolute ball hawk. Unfortunately, during individual drills, his 2021 season was prematurely ended due to an ACL tear on Sept 9, 2021. During the 2019 & 2020 seasons, though, he was a pivotal contributor to the Ravens’ cornerback group, and led the team in interceptions both seasons. 

The words of the coaching staff, his videos of rehab, and seeing him at training camp all seem to indicate that he’ll be ready to go some time by the early part of the season. That will be enormous for this defensive unit. If he is good to go by Week 1, we’ll be thrilled. However, I’m tempering expectations and hoping he’ll be back 110% by week 5. I’ll give you a hint on that opponent, a division rival who threw 525 yards on our 8th stringers last season, and the reigning AFC Champs. No bad blood there, right?

The Ravens Cornerbacks of 2022 are on a head-hunters revenge tour. Having Peters back clapping his hands across from the guy he’s covering, knowing an INT is about to happen, is what we’re all ready to see. Until he returns, we’ll have to look to the “next man up.”

CB3 will most likely be a quality guy

Quality depth is critical in this league nowadays. We have that for sure in Kyle Fuller. A man who has spent most of his career as one of the Chicago Bears’ top corners, and a reliable leader for one year in Denver. We’re lucky to have him in Baltimore Ravens cornerbacks group for 2022. 

With the departure of Tavon Young and Anthony Averett, the Ravens were a little thin at cornerback heading into 2022. Fuller fills the void of one of these two guys that left. I feel like he will be more of a AA shoe fill-in. He isn’t going to be a Marcus Peters, but rather a quality impact starter and rotation piece. Once I saw his signing, it was a big sigh of relief for the positional depth.

CB4 could go a few different directions

I think the CB4 spot will go to the freshly drafted 4th-round pick Jaylon Armour-Davis. Armour-Davis has a lot of potential to win this spot from other experienced guys in front of him. His time at Alabama has helped him develop into a reliable young player with a high ceiling, much like former Alabama teammate & my candidate for WR4 this year, Slade Bolden. 

And throughout training camp, he is proving that he deserves that role within the first couple of weeks. As a former second-team ALL-SEC player & key piece in the National Championship & CFB Playoff, the Ravens, along with the fans, have a lot to look forward to in 2022

Honorable mentions/practice squad guys

I’ve heard a few people mention that Brandon Stephens could be a star candidate to be a rotational piece at the corner. If true, it will depend on the packages or potentially as a floater for the whole secondary. Stephens showed he deserved a spot on the Ravens’ active roster and is continuing to do so, but we have to count him as a defensive weapon or rotational floater more than a pure cornerback. I think he’ll keep that good progress going.

Two names we could also talk about for a CB5, if the team were to keep five on the roster, would be either rookie Damarion Williams out of Houston or third-year Robert Jackson out of UNLV. Williams shows some good skills on the field that would keep him in the coaches’ talks. Jackson did reasonably well last season, with field time against some big-name receivers. He held his own, but he needs a lot of work.

The rest of the list that we could see on the practice squad or enjoying a preseason tour with the Ravens would include:

• Denzel Williams (R) – Villanova
• David Vareen (R) – Newberry
• Kayvon Seymour (5) – USC

Seymour is familiar with the Ravens, but has shown some hiccups throughout camp. We hope for the best for these young guys, but only time will tell. This group of Ravens cornerbacks heading into 2022 is one to look out for going forward.

Thank you for your time. Let us know what you think will happen going forward with this position. Until next time, have a great day!