The Ravens have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, adding experience and depth to their secondary.
Baltimore had an opening at cornerback after Brandon Stephens (Jets) departed in free agency. Entering his ninth NFL season, Awuzie gives the Ravens a proven outside corner and more versatility alongside starters Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins.
It's imperative to have at least three starting-caliber cornerbacks and the Ravens want the flexibility to use Humphrey in the slot, where he has shined throughout his career.
Awuzie, 29, was released earlier this month after signing a three-year, $36 million contract with the Tennessee Titans last offseason. It was the biggest deal given to any unrestricted free agent cornerback last year. Since he was released, Awuzie won't count towards the compensatory pick formula for 2026.
He started the first three games last season but suffered a groin injury that sent him to injured reserve. Awuzie returned in Week 14 and grabbed an interception in his first game back. He finished the year with 26 tackles and four passes defensed. The Titans were the top-ranked pass defense in the league last season.
Awuzie is very familiar with the AFC North, as he played for the Cincinnati Bengals for the three seasons prior (2021-2023). His best season came in 2021, when he started a career-high 14 games and logged two interceptions, 64 tackles, and 14 passes defensed. He was Pro Football Focus' 23rd-highest graded cornerback that year, but suffered a torn ACL in 2022.
A second-round pick out of Colorado in 2017, Awuzie started his career in Dallas. He made 42 starts over four seasons there, establishing himself as a rugged and reliable cornerback. He's also strong in run defense and was the 19th-highest graded cornerback in run defense last season.
Awuzie will compete with Jalyn Armour-Davis and T.J. Tampa to be the Ravens' No. 3 cornerback behind Humphrey and Wiggins. Cornerback was perhaps Baltimore's biggest need ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft. Adding Awuzie further helps put the Ravens in best-player-available position.
