Three issues Ravens did to assist return to defensive dominance

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Cornerback Marlon Humphrey lately gave himself a historical past lesson.

He watched the 2000 Baltimore Ravens group's playoff video games, the squad that received Tremendous Bowl XXXV on the energy of their record-setting protection.

“You did not actually need an offense, truthfully,” Humphrey stated. “They had been making so many performs [and forcing] turnovers.”

This underscored to Humphrey how the latest Ravens defenses have did not uphold that custom set by the likes of Ray Lewis. Baltimore has not pressured a turnover in its final 5 playoff video games, together with final season's 27-25 AFC divisional playoff loss to the Buffalo Payments.

The dearth of game-changing performs by the Ravens' protection within the postseason would not sit effectively with Humphrey, who's getting into his ninth season in Baltimore after being a first-round choose in 2017.

“Being [I'm] the longest [tenured] defensive man, I really feel like I've let that commonplace type of slip, and that is one thing that I need to get again,” Humphrey stated. “Clearly, we love Lamar Jackson. He is an important participant, however I would like the Ravens' identification to be protection prefer it was after I first received right here. In order that's one thing that we're chirping in our room.”

Here's what the Ravens have executed this offseason to assist the protection higher reside as much as its legacy:

The draft

For the primary time in eight years, the Ravens used their first two draft picks on protection. Baltimore chosen Georgia security Malaki Starks within the first spherical and Marshall edge-rusher Mike Inexperienced within the second spherical, giving the Ravens two of Mel Kiper Jr.'s prime 10 defensive prospects on this yr's draft.

Starks has labored with the beginning protection because the first full-team follow of the spring, and he proved to be a frontrunner even earlier than that. On the Ravens' rookie minicamp, he was organizing walkthroughs on the group resort.

“He can reply any query in a gathering,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh stated. “We could also be again there and say, ‘Hey, alright, Malaki,' and also you throw a scenario at him, and he is aware of. I've by no means seen him make an actual mistake but. He is very a lot a professional, most likely method superior past his years.”

Inexperienced, who led FBS with 17 sacks final season, is anticipated to determine closely within the pass-rush rotation with linebackers Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy.

“Mike is the most effective instance of this new technology which have discovered from the professionals, and he is available in already actually extremely expert up,” Ravens move rush coach Chuck Smith stated. “So, I give him numerous credit score. His ‘get-off'… I am simply amazed that he is in his base two-point stance, and he has no false steps. He will get off on the ball quick. The Mike Inexperienced that we have seen to this point is every part that we thought he can be after we determined to draft him.”

Chuck Pagano's hiring

Starks, Baltimore's prime choose, awakened one morning this offseason at 5 a.m. to a textual content from Pagano.

The Ravens' new senior secondary coach despatched Starks movie from a latest follow that he wished the rookie to evaluate.

“I believe each time he says one thing within the assembly room with all of the DBs, it is like he is simply dropping information,” Ravens security Kyle Hamilton stated.

Pagano, 64, was lured out of a four-year retirement to unravel one of many group's greatest puzzles. The Ravens had one of the proficient secondary rosters final season, however Baltimore's move protection completed second-to-last within the NFL.

Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr stated Pagano's focus is enhancing the method within the defensive backfield. The Ravens gave up large performs — ones {that a} secondary of this caliber should not — as a result of their eyes, leverage or physique place wasn't proper.

Orr has seen a number of gamers ask Pagano to provide them one side of their sport that wants enchancment. Pagano gave each an in depth abstract.

“Do not be fooled by his age,” Orr stated. “This dude has actual juice and vitality and information. So, I am fired up.”

Including cornerback Jaire Alexander

Baltimore signed Alexander on June 18, a day after Jackson pushed for the Ravens to signal his former Louisville teammate. However the Ravens had been wanting so as to add Alexander because the Inexperienced Bay Packers launched him on June 9. Alexander has performed in seven regular-season video games over final two seasons, final showing for the Packers in Week 11 regardless of sustaining what he stated was a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his proper knee towards the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9.

Crew officers simply did not count on to land Alexander, a two-time Professional Bowler who turned 28 this offseason. Then, after 9 days in the marketplace, Alexander turned down extra money to signal a contract with Baltimore, a supply instructed ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Carolina Panthers had been among the many groups interested by Alexander, Schefter added.

Compensation replace: Former Packers CB Jaire Alexander signed a one-year, $6 million take care of the Ravens. He turned down extra to be in Baltimore along with his former faculty teammate, Lamar Jackson. pic.twitter.com/AWaYoeXh6k

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 18, 2025

Now, Baltimore's secondary is stuffed with first-round picks from three corners (Alexander, Humphrey and Nate Wiggins) to 2 safeties (Hamilton and Starks).

“We actually haven't any excuses to not go on the market and do what we have to do,” Hamilton stated. “So, it is on us on the finish of the day, and strain is a privilege. [I'm] excited for us to have that privilege.”

The Ravens delight themselves on how their “position-less protection” can confuse groups. Baltimore will doubtless begin Alexander and Wiggins as its outdoors corners. The others are shifting chess items.

Humphrey can line up within the slot, however he can transfer again to play some security as effectively. Hamilton and Stark can each play deep security, transfer nearer to the road of scrimmage or cowl a large receiver within the slot.

“I believe the choices are countless,” Humphrey stated. “It'll be a enjoyable secondary.”