Former Alabama DB ready to step up in fourth season with Ravens

Fourth-year cornerback Anthony Averett has become a key reserve for the Baltimore Ravens. Behind Pro-Bowl cornerbacks Marlon Humphery and Marcus Peters, Averett is “like having a cozy electric security blanket.”

BaltimoreRavens.com staff writer Ryan Mink spoke with Averett on his comfort level heading into Year 4.

“I’m definitely confident just coming off that season last year,” Averett said. “And this year, I’m balling in camp, and it just comes with the confidence. I mean, I [was] balling last year. I know the system. This is my fourth year I’ve been here, so I’m just comfortable.”

Last season, the Alabama product played in 10 games and started four, breaking up seven passes while making 27 tackles. He missed a few games due to injury, but when veteran defensive back Jimmy Smith went down late in the year, Averett stepped in.

Averett said he doesn’t see anything wrong with “sitting back and just actually learning” and with players like Humphery and Peters to learn from, Averett’s play elevated too, as shown by his performance last season.

Per PFF, Anthony Averett graded out as the 50th best cornerback in the NFL last year. Mink noted that ranked higher than players like Kyle Fuller, Byron Jones and Darius Slay

Year 4 for Averett will look similar to last season. Humphery, Peters and Smith return making Averett a rotational piece. Should one of the three go down, he’ll be ready to step into a bigger role if needed.

“Definitely, I want to be out there, and definitely want to play,” Averett said. “But I know the circumstances. I know this is the NFL and I love to be here; I love the Ravens. We have a deep secondary – I know that – but whenever I get my chance, I just ball. I just do my best.”

Coming out of high school, Anthony Averett was a four-star defensive back prospect from Woodbury (NJ.) in the class of 2013. As a senior, Averett recorded 70 tackles and five interceptions while also playing quarterback.

At Alabama, Averett redshirted in 2013 and saw limited action the following season. He stepped into a much larger role during his redshirt sophomore and junior seasons. In his collegiate career, Averett totaled 98 tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles.

Anthony Averett was drafted in the fourth-round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Ravens.