Tampa, Too: Why Continued Development of Young CBs is Crucial

Among the many things the Baltimore Ravens have long been known for are their commitment to building through the draft, maintaining a culture of continuity, and making strategic use of their salary cap. As the team prepares for another playoff push in 2025, an under-the-radar storyline to follow is the development of the reserve defensive backs, chief among them second-year player T.J. Tampa. While Tampa’s role this year will likely be limited to special teams, the amount of growth he shows will have implications for the team’s long-term roster management, particularly as the Ravens weigh future contract extensions for core players like Tyler Linderbaum and Kyle Hamilton.

With the offseason signings of veteran corners Chidobe Awuzie and Jaire Alexander, the Ravens have an array of options to fill the outside corner spot opposite Nate Wiggins. Alexander in particular is a two-time all-pro entering his age-28 season. If he can stay healthy, his presence will make an already good secondary great.  As a result, Tampa will likely find himself starting the season contributing primarily on special teams or in emergency defensive snaps. Special teams reps will allow Tampa to further acclimate to NFL speed and gain valuable experience under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff.

This by no means is a knock-on Tampa’s potential; it’s rather a reflection of a deep corner back room (which is by design from the Ravens front office, many of who likely have nightmares of Tom Brady torching Rashaan Melvin in the 2014 divisional round), and a little bit of misfortune in his case. The Ravens were prepared to head into the 2025 season with the likes of Tampa and Jalyn Armor-Davis challenging Awuzie for that second corner spot before opportunity knocked when the Green Bay Packers released Alexander just prior to minicamp. By all accounts, Tampa had an extremely strong stretch of spring practices.

2nd-year CB T.J. Tampa is turning heads at OTAs—highlighted by an acrobatic INT Monday. John Harbaugh says he’ll compete for a starting role. Should the Ravens pursue Jaire Alexander or roll with Tampa/Awuzie/JAD for the other boundary CB spot? #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/0dadpxwRjN

— SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) June 11, 2025

T.J. Tampa was drafted not with the expectation of being an immediate starter, but as a developmental piece, someone who could grow into a contributing role over the next couple of seasons. His size, instincts, and press-man potential make him an intriguing long-term fit in the Ravens’ defensive scheme. The downside of being a young player in a loaded cornerback room is limited opportunities on Sundays. The upside, however, is that Tampa and the other young guys have the opportunity to learn every day from some of the game’s best. Wiggins outlined the importance of that last year when he joined the Ravens Lounge Podcast in the offseason and mentioned how Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton sat him down to teach him how to watch film at an NFL level. Rarely do young players get the luxury of having multiple all-pros in your position group from whom to learn. The confidence that can instill in a young player could prove to be paramount in that player’s overall development. That is the foundation of the Ravens formula. And that is a huge reason why they are able to rebuild year-in and year-out through the draft.

We’ve yet to even mention the addition of longtime DB whisperer Chuck Pagano this offseason as Senior Secondary Coach. Tampa and the rest of the young backups have a world of support. If Tampa shows flashes throughout the season–either on special teams, in garbage-time reps, or just throughout practice, he could make it much easier for the Ravens’ front office to look inward rather than outward for future secondary solutions.

Ravens Bring Back Former DC Chuck Pagano

That, in turn, opens the door for more financially prudent roster management.

The Ravens are facing critical contract decisions in the near future. Linderbaum, Hamilton, and tight end Isaiah Likely are all foundational players drafted and developed by the organization with expiring rookie contracts on the horizon. The Ravens would obviously love to retain all three, but that will certainly not be cheap as each player continues to increase their value as the seasons come and go and accolades pile up.

If T.J. Tampa proves that he can be a viable starting option by the end of this season or heading into 2026, it may give General Manager Eric DeCosta the confidence to avoid dipping into free agency for cornerback reinforcements next offseason as both Alexander and Awuzie are under contract for just one season. Instead of allocating a chunk of the available cap for yet another defensive back, those funds could be directed toward those extensions for Linderbaum, Hamilton, Likely, and potentially even the next contract for superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The Ravens have always emphasized drafting well and rewarding homegrown talent. From Ray Lewis to Lamar Jackson, the franchise’s DNA is tied to internal development. Tampa fits that mold. The Iowa State product was a low-risk, high-upside draft pick who was never asked to be a starter immediately, but could blossom into one with the right guidance and system. We’ve seen this career arc pan out for plenty of Ravens in the past, and Tampa may just be next.

His development is important not just for depth or performance, it’s about sustaining Baltimore’s long-term model of success. If Tampa can ascend into a reliable contributor, the Ravens will be in a far stronger position to prioritize their cap dollars, avoid desperation spending, and retain the core that has brought them so much success in recent years.

T.J. Tampa’s impact may not be seen on the scoreboard this year, but his trajectory could help shape the future of the franchise in a way that aligns perfectly with Baltimore’s blueprint for success.

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