After the Baltimore Ravens traded veteran cornerback and 2015 Super Bowl champion cornerback, cornerback and 2015 Super Bowl champion, cornerback and 2015 Super Bowl champion and safety and 2014 Super Bowl champion – Shawn Williams – to the New York Jets, the Ravens quietly signed safety and 2014 Super Bowl champion and Sashaun Gipson to a new contract on Thursday. The deal is a one year, $3 million contract with $3.25 million in guaranteed money.
On Friday, news surfaced that the Baltimore Ravens were trading free agent cornerback Shaun Wade to the Seattle Seahawks. The move was surprising, to say the least, as Wade led the Ravens in interceptions last year and was a valuable member of the defense. So, what happened?
The Baltimore Ravens weren’t all that active in free agency, but one player they did add was a guy who is a great value in the draft: former Florida safety Shaq Cooper. The undrafted free agent from the 2017 draft class is a receiver turned safety turned hybrid player who earned a starting job with the Ravens in the middle of the season.
The Baltimore Ravens have built their style of play on two elements throughout the years. They run the ball well and play aggressive defense. Shaun Wade was selected by the front office as a possible future defensive starter. He’s already on the move since things haven’t worked out.
Wade was traded by the Baltimore Ravens to the New England Patriots in exchange for a seventh-round draft selection in 2022 and a fifth-round pick in 2023.
Shaun Wade was selected in the fifth round by the Baltimore Ravens.
Shaun Wade, a 2021 draft selection of the Baltimore Ravens, was dealt to the New England Patriots | Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Wade was drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Ravens. Wade attended Ohio State University, where he was a standout as a freshman and sophomore.
Following declaring for the draft after the 2019 season, he subsequently withdrew his name and returned to Ohio State to finish his degree. His first-round draft status was destroyed since he did not maintain his name in the draft.
In 2020, Wade won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award and was named a consensus All-American. Even yet, it wasn’t enough to keep his first-round status. Throughout the season, which was affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, he had ups and downs. Transitioning from the slot corner to the outside took some getting used to.
In the national championship game versus Alabama, the Jacksonville, Florida native struggled. He was paired up against DeVonta Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner, and the wide receiver won. Unfortunately for the Ohio State cornerback, it was his last chance to play against high-level competition before the draft.
During training camp and the preseason, Wade was passed over.
Ravens get a good deal… Baltimore trades cornerback Shaun Wade to the Patriots in exchange for two draft choices.
Wade had a hit-or-miss training camp and was passed on the depth chart by Chris Westry. The Ravens were going to have a difficult time getting Wade on the 53-man roster next week. https://t.co/NW94eAbUoO
August 26, 2021 — Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley)
Wade’s entrance into the NFL was shrouded in secrecy. It was uncertain if he’d be able to recover his form and mental strength. The Ravens had high expectations for the fifth-round pick since they have a track record of producing defensive backs.
According to his post-draft news conference, he thinks he has first-round potential. Wade had a chip on his shoulder when he arrived at training camp. He had some nice moments, but Baltimore’s secondary has a lot of inexperienced guys.
Wade’s performance throughout the preseason acted as a potential indication of his future with the club. He only played nine defensive snaps in the second preseason game. Anthony Averett, Nigel Warrior, and Chris Westry all outsnapped him.
Wade had a congested road to the Ravens 53-man roster due to the return of quality in the defensive backfield and the emergence of the three listed above. He didn’t seem to have played his way out of a roster place, but the other players did.
The Ravens’ secondary is one of the best in the league.
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Over the last several seasons, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has emphasized the secondary as a strength.
All-Pro cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters lead the team. Since the Ravens acquired Peters from the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, the pair has combined to cause 25 turnovers. At safety, Chuck Clark and DeShon Elliott are a potential young duo. Clark is one of the defense’s most instinctual players, while Elliott’s toughness fits very well in Baltimore.
Jimmy Smith and Tavon Young have both battled injuries throughout their careers, but they have the ability to succeed. Both of his seasons were cut short, but he looks to be in good condition going into 2021.
Despite the fact that Anthony Averett has had a difficult three seasons, Martindale has been gushing about him throughout camp. Geno Stone, a sixth-round selection in 2020, has improved throughout the summer as well.
Brandon Stephens and Ar’Darius Washington, both rookies, seem to have secured roster slots as well. Both players have made an impression on the coaches and will play for the Ravens in 2021.
In the secondary, the Baltimore Ravens have a lot of depth. It’s a testimony to the front office’s talent spotting abilities.
Pro Football Reference provided all stats.
Nick Wright believes the Ravens’ offense can be the best in the league if Lamar Jackson improves on one specific skill.
The Baltimore Ravens are now in the process of putting together their 2018 draft class, and one of the things that they’re looking for is a deep group of secondary players. They traded away outside linebacker Shaun Wade, who was a great player for them, but he has a history of back problems, which has detracted from his value.. Read more about shaun wade nfl draft and let us know what you think.
Related Tags
- shaun wade ravens
- shaun wade pro day
- baltimore ravens shaun wade
- shaun wade
- ravens nfl
