John Harbaugh Teases Position Change for Jimmy Smith in 2020
By Sam Dunn
Entering his 10th season with the Baltimore Ravens, cornerback Jimmy Smith would figure to be a known quantity. The former-first round pick out of Colorado has never worn another NFL uniform, after all. But heading into 2020, head coach John Harbaugh suggested fans could actually see a whole new version of Smith.
He said the veteran has a chance to rep at safety this year for the very first time.
Jimmy Smith could also see some time at safety. The other cornerbacks, such as Marlon Humphrey, are also versatile enough to conquer different roles.#Ravens #RavensFlock https://t.co/ERpXfSuIh2
— Todd Karpovich (@toddkarpovich) May 30, 2020
The Ravens boast impressive versatility at the back end of the defense, with additional contributors like Marlon Humphrey and Tavon Young who can rep at multiple spots. The change could be especially beneficial for Smith, however, as he appeared in a career-low 41% of Baltimore's defensive snaps last season. Fighting for playing time with Pro Bowlers like Humphrey and Marcus Peters is a daunting task, after all.
Not many guys get a chance to reinvent themselves in their age 32 season, but when you have the trust of a guy like John Harbaugh, good things tend to come your way.
Free-agent cornerback Jimmy Smith is signing back with the Ravens on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, per @RosenhausSports.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 23, 2020
Smith, who defended six passes in nine games in 2019 despite only making five starts, was re-signed this offseason for a reason. When Week 1 rolls around, don't be surprised to see him playing a whole new tune.