Jaire Alexander signing all but confirms Ravens have scariest secondary

The Baltimore Ravens just got scarier. The team signed cornerback Jaire Alexander to a one-year $6 million contract, forming one of the NFL's most dangerous defensive back groups.

At cornerback, Baltimore has a nasty trio of Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey, and Alexander starting, and safeties Malaki Starks and Kyle Hamilton are ready to dominate the league. All five of these starters are capable of making Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams, and Baltimore is looking to get their defense back on track after a roller coaster journey in 2024.

The cornerback room also has veteran Chidobe Awuzie, who, when healthy, can be a shutdown corner. Since 2018, Awuzie, Humphrey, and Alexander have ranked in the top five of Next Gen Stats’ tight window target rate. Baltimore lacked this type of consistent talent in 2024, and seeing them all on the field in 2025 could craft one of the better defenses in recent memory.

Good luck passing against this Baltimore Ravens secondary

The defensive unit has a great mix of proven veterans and emerging young stars. Humphrey is coming off his second career All-Pro first-team, and Awuzie has been as consistent as it gets over his eight-year career. Even Hamilton has proven he is the best safety in the league in three years. The 24-year-old is a Swiss army knife and one of the most feared defensive weapons in the league.

Wiggins is going into his second season and blossomed into one of the better young corners late in 2024. He got adjusted to the league’s physicality throughout his rookie campaign and consistently forced quarterbacks to throw into tight coverage. Starks has yet to have a chance to prove himself in real action, but coaches could not be more excited for the former Georgia Bulldog. He is proving to be a leader at the backend of the secondary and is making little to no mistakes in practice.

Throwing Alexander into this dangerous group is a dream scenario for Baltimore. There was already talent everywhere, but Head Coach John Harbaugh mentioned they were still looking for a veteran corner, and they got their guy. The team also needed extra help on the boundary opposite of Wiggins, and Alexander should provide that.

While there are injury concerns with Alexander, it is a low-risk move because of how cheap it is. The talent has not left the former Green Bay Packer, so if he can remain 100 percent this season, it will be one of the best defensive back rooms ever. 

For a defense that loves versatility, this addition provides just that. Humphrey can continue to dominate in the slot, and the overwhelming amount of talent all over the field should let Hamilton roam around where he is at his best. It is safe to say 2025 should look drastically different for the Ravens’ defense.

More Balti