The Baltimore Ravens have joined the Jets in a competition for the NFL’s most dysfunctional cornerback group. The Jets probably win out, because the Ravens cornerbacks are both scheduled for a return for their season opener. That doesn’t mean the Ravens don’t need some insurance.
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Peter King would be “surprised” if the Ravens didn’t trade for another cornerback this week.
Even if their starters return for regular season week 1, they’re left with a big question at the No. 3 spot. With passing offenses potent as ever — and teams rostering talented third-stringers like Emmanuel Sanders — the Ravens need a legitimate third corner.
ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley explains the status of the Ravens’ rostered cornerbacks:
"The Ravens can’t be comfortable with what they currently have, right? Asa Jackson has never taken a defensive snap in a regular season game and hasn’t practiced since injuring his ankle on Aug. 10. Chykie Brown isn’t much more experienced than Jackson and has been a liability on deep throws. Veteran free agent Dominique Franks has played better recently but he didn’t take snaps with the first-team defense until two weeks ago. And Terrence Brooks is currently the nickelback, but he’s a third-round rookie who started at safety in college."
The problem is that the Ravens will need another team that’s interested. They made want and need a trade, but no team can have enough defensive backs. According to other reporters at ESPN.com, obvious options like the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints are unlikely. Teams want to hold onto their depth at cornerback.