How Can Ravens Get Chidobe Awuzie Back on the Field?

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How Can Ravens Get Chidobe Awuzie Back on the Field?

Wesley Dixon · Athlon Sports

Thu, Sep 24, 2026 ·

2 min read

An Impact Cornerback

Nov 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) attempts to make a catch against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (3) during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Last season, Baltimore's secondary was tested by injuries, with both Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins missing significant time. Awuzie stepped into a larger role and became one of the league's more productive defensive backs. His overall grade of 74.7 from Pro Football Focus ranked 15th among qualifying NFL cornerbacks. He was particularly effective when Baltimore's pass rush generated pressure. His PFF coverage grade jumped to 80.6 on pressured dropbacks.

Awuzie should be able to fit the defensive style Minter has favored so far. Baltimore has frequently leaned on nickel and dime personnel, flooding the field with defensive backs while relying on four-man rushes to generate pressure without sacrificing numbers in coverage.

That should not be foreign to Awuzie. Baltimore also played plenty of zone coverage last season, using it on 67% of its defensive snaps and deploying Cover 3 on 31.4%, according to NFL Savant.

In 2025, Awuzie ranked in the 82nd percentile in pass defenses per game and posted a +30.2 coverage rating, according to PlayerProfiler . That mark ranked 21st among cornerbacks. Those numbers do not suggest an elite shutdown corner, but they do show that Awuzie remained a productive coverage player when Baltimore needed him.

Wiggins and Humphrey will likely remain Baltimore's top two cornerbacks, which makes finding snaps for Awuzie more complicated. One possibility would be using him as the third corner in nickel packages, either outside or inside depending on the matchup. His production last season showed he can still contribute in coverage, and he has already proven comfortable operating in a zone-heavy defense. Minter has said he wants Awuzie on the field more; now Baltimore has to determine which role gives him that opportunity.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.