The Baltimore Ravens have done a commendable job drafting secondary players the last few years. Good enough to where it probably makes no sense to pay soon-to-be 30-year-old slot cornerback Marlon Humphrey $19.25 million in 2026.
While that money could best be spent elsewhere for the Ravens — hopefully on free agent edge rusher Trey Hendrickson — it doesn’t mean someone else isn’t going to want to spend that money on Humphrey.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox put Humphrey, a 4-time Pro Bowler, on his list of the top NFL stars who could be trade targets this offseason, with the Los Angeles Rams as the most likely destination in exchange for a 2026 fourth round pick and 2027 conditional seventh round pick.
“The issue for Humphrey is the fact that he’ll turn 30 in July and is set to carry a cap hit of $26.3 million in 2026, the final year of his contract,” Knox wrote. “Cashing in Humphrey a year before he hits the open market could make some sense for the Ravens. Given Humphrey’s age, Baltimore might not expect more than a middle-round pick for Humphrey this offseason. While Humphrey was part of a bad defense in 2025, his status as a former Pro Bowler will likely draw interest from several cornerback-needy teams. The Los Angeles Rams, whose secondary struggled in the NFC Championship Game, might be near the front of the line to take a flier on Humphrey.”
Young Defensive Backs Can Carry the Load
The Ravens have used their last 2 first round picks on the secondary with cornerback Nate Wiggins in 2024 (No. 30 overall) and safety Malaki Starks in 2025 (No. 27 overall).
With NFL All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton locked down on a long-term contract, there really is no need to continue paying big money for Humphrey when the defensive front lacks so much.
Humphrey, like everyone else on the roster, is subject to the evaluation of new head coach Jesse Minter, who was Baltimore’s defensive backs coach for the first 4 years of Humphrey’s career after he was selected in the first round (No. 16 overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.
“I just wait and see if I’m part of the plans going forward or if I’m not,” Humphrey told the Ravens official website after Minter was hired.
Writing Already on Wall for Humphrey
ESPN’s Dan Graziano put Humphrey on his list of high profile NFL stars who could be cut or traded before the 2026 season and following a year in which the Ravens entered as Super Bowl contenders and missed the playoffs after going 8-9.
“(Humphrey) will have one year and $19.25 million left on his contract after this season,” Graziano wrote on Friday, December 5. “None of that money is guaranteed, but $4 million of it is in a roster bonus that is due the fifth day of the 2026 league year. Presumably, the Ravens would want to decide before that date whether to extend Humphrey, move on from him or just pay him the bonus and let him play out the final year of his deal.”
Humphrey’s numbers still show a player very much playing at a Pro Bowl or All-Pro level. In 2025, he had 67 tackles, 4 interceptions, 13 pass deflections and 2 forced fumbles in 15 games.
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