PFF: Jimmy Smith allowed fourth-lowest passer rating in his coverage among CBs

Since being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2011, cornerback Jimmy Smith has always had the talent and tools to succeed on the field. Smith solidified that assessment with his strong performance in 2017. Per Pro Football Focus, Smith allowed the fourth-lowest passer rating in coverage among cornerbacks (49.2).

In 2017, Smith finished with an 86.0 rating from Pro Football Focus. That rating was the 15th best among corners during the regular season. He finished with 28 tackles (26 solo), nine pass deflections, three interceptions and a touchdown in 12 games.

Smith has dealt with injuries throughout his career, including a torn Achilles last season. On December 4, he was suspended for four games last season for a positive performance-enhancing test, after sustaining that injury. He served his suspension while on the injured reserve list.

Though it is likely that Smith will land on the PUP list, Baltimore currently has a solid crop of cornerbacks on the roster. In his rookie season, Marlon Humphrey finished with an above-average rating of 82.7, which made him the 33rd rated corner in the league. Baltimore also will see the return of Tavon Young, who sustained an ACL tear in 2017 and missed the entire season. Young finished with a 79.8 rating in 2016, which was the highest among Ravens corners.

Baltimore also has Brandon Carr (74.1 rating in 2017), Maurice Canady (72.3 rating), Jaylen Hill (74.1 rating) and drafted Anthony Averett from Alabama in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Though Baltimore is currently without their best corner, and probably won’t have him back until midway through the season, this 2018 group is one of the better ones the Ravens have fielded in recent memory.