If the Baltimore Ravens hope to field one of the top defenses in the NFL again in 2024, they’ll need a bounce-back year from cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

Nick Faria of Pro Football Network named Humphrey as the Ravens’ key bounce-back candidate.

Faria wrote:

“At one point during the 2024 offseason, there was a major question surrounding whether the Ravens would look to replace Humphrey via trade or flat-out release. Humphrey played in 10 games last season and recorded just one pick.

“Baltimore will need a big year from its top corner if the Ravens want to stay a contender in the AFC.”

As Faria noted, Humphrey was limited to 10 games last year while dealing with foot and calf injuries. It was the second season in three years that Humphrey had missed multiple games and was limited to just one interception.

However, Humphrey played all 17 games in 2022 and had 3 interceptions, a forced fumble, and 3 sacks en route to making the Pro Bowl. So, it seems unlikely that his best days are completely behind him.

Humphrey did miss much of OTAs and minicamp with what Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called “nagging” injuries.

On his own podcast, Humphrey said he needed rest days, comparing it to load management in the NBA.

“I did Day 1 [of minicamp] and then I took two vet rest days,” Humphrey said. “I’m kind of on the NBA routine sometimes. Took two rest days.”

The Ravens drafted two cornerbacks in first-round pick Nate Wiggins and fourth-round pick T.J. Tampa, both of whom could be potential Humphrey replacements if he can’t rebound.