After nine seasons with the Ravens, Jimmy Smith is staying put.
Smith was re-signed to a one-year contract the team announced Monday, in a move that will give Baltimore one of the NFL's deepest secondaries for another season.
Smith is a physical cornerback with excellent coverage skills who has consistently played at a high level when healthy. Injuries have plagued the 31-year-old Smith during his career, but he played well again last season after suffering a knee injury in Week 1 that forced him to miss six games.
The Ravens have two young cornerbacks who went to the Pro Bowl last season, Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, in addition to nickel cornerback Tavon Young, who is expected to return in 2020 after missing the 2019 season with a knee injury. Cornerbacks Anthony Averett and Iman Marshall are also on the roster to provide depth at corner, and the Ravens have a strong starting tandem at safety with Pro Bowler Earl Thomas III and Chuck Clark, who emerged as a solid starter last season.
With Smith in the cornerback rotation, the Ravens will have even more flexibility to match up with the league's top passing attacks. Smith has 14 interceptions, 70 passes defended and 329 tackles during his career. He uses his size and strength to excel in press coverage, and he is also a willing tackler.
It was questionable whether Smith would return once he hit the open market, but he said before the season ended that he hoped to be back with Baltimore.
