If there is one thing the Baltimore Ravens need to improve upon from last season, it’s defending the pass. The Ravens were the penultimate pass defense last season, as they finished next to last in pass yards allowed with 4,150. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars were worse, as they gave up 4,375.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta rolled up his sleeves this offseason and worked hard on strengthening his secondary. Half of the four starters from last season are now gone- right cornerback Brandon Stephens and free safety Marcus Williams.
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Stephens was replaced by Jaire Alexander, the free agent splash signing that was announced earlier this week.
And for the second year in a row, Baltimore used their first-round draft pick on a defensive back, finding Williams’ replacement in Georgia product Malaki Starks.
So what does the new two-deep look like now? Here are two projected depth charts.Â
     LCB              SS          FS             RCB             NB
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1     Nate Wiggins    Kyle Hamilton    Malaki Starks     Jaire Alexander     Marlon Humphrey
2     T.J. Tampa      Sanoussi Kane   Beau Brade      Chidobe Awuzie    Robert Longerbeam
    LCB           SS            FS                 RCB            NB
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1    Nate Wiggins    Kyle Hamilton   Malaki Starks         Jaire Alexander    Marlon Humphrey
2   Chidobe Awuzie   Sanoussi Kane  Ar’Darius Washington  T.J. Tampa       Robert Longerbeam
These two projections are remarkably similar and very youth-oriented. Of the 11 players listed above, six are from the rookie classes of 2024 and 2025. Ar’Darius Washington will miss the bulk of the season after suffering a torn Achilles during off-season workouts.
You’ll also notice who the odd man out is- cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis. He’s been with the club since 2022, when he was selected in the fourth round of the draft. He started two games this past season.
And now it doesn’t seem like there is even a substantial place for him in the squad.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: GM Eric DeCosta worked hard on strengthening his secondary