Early under-the-radar standouts of the current NFL season

#9 Marlon Humphrey

The Ravens are first in the NFL in total yards allowed and they hold opponents to just 31 percent on third down conversions, in large part due to their strong pass defense. While a lot of credit goes to Terrell Suggs, Matt Judon and those other guys up front, these Baltimore DBs have been plastering receivers for large portions of the season.

In absence of the suspended Jimmy Smith, Humphrey has stepped up as the Ravens number one corner after a highly underrated rookie campaign. In the season-opener versus Buffalo, he allowed just one catch for two yards and deflected three passes despite being tested deep on several occasions.

At Cincinnati, in week two he struggled a bit with A.J. Green creating separation out of his breaks and gave up a touchdown. However, on Sunday versus the Broncos Humphrey shut it down once again. The second-year corner surrendered just one catch on a delayed whip-route to Emmanuel Sanders for eight yards, when he was matched up with a receiver one-on-one or they entered his zone responsibility.

Baltimore’s front seven is loaded, they have an excellent duo of veteran safeties, Tavon Young is emerging as one of the best nickelbacks in the league and when Smith is back they have the luxury of rotating Brandon Carr into the lineup, who is still a quality corner.