The Baltimore area has become a hotbed for NFL talent over the years. Some of the homegrown professionals have gotten an opportunity to play for the Baltimore Ravens.
Veteran defensive back Kyle Fuller is the latest. Fuller signed a one-year deal with the Ravens earlier this week. Head coach John Harbaugh feels the move gives a tremendous boost to Baltimore’s secondary.
“Kyle [Fuller] – he’s from Baltimore, as you probably know, and [he went to] Mount Saint Joseph High School,” Harbaugh said during OTAs. “He’s a proven corner. He knows how to play the game, fits what we’re trying to do right now in the secondary really well. I think his veteran presence is going to add a lot to our defense. I think it finished off our secondary, in terms of … Never say never, but for now, I feel really good about that group back there – I mean, really good, about the secondary, personnel-wise.”
Fuller joins the Ravens after spending last season with the Denver Broncos where he signed a one-year, $9.5 million deal. He started 10 out of 17 games for the Broncos and played both on the outside and in the nickel.
The versatility that Fuller brings will give the Ravens another option in the slot and depth behind outside starters Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, both of whom were injured last season.
The 30-year-old defensive back was a 2014 first-round pick (No. 14 overall) by the Chicago Bears after staring at Virginia Tech. Fuller posted six interceptions and 19 passed defender in 30 starts over the first two years of his career.
A knee injury kept Fuller from playing in 2016. But he bounced back in 2017 and finished with two interceptions along with 21 passes defended.
Fuller’s seven interceptions tied him for the league lead, resulting in him being named a first-team All-Pro in 2018. He went to consecutive Pro Bowls in 2018 and 2019. Fuller had 19 interceptions in his six seasons with the Bears.
The Fuller family has made football their family business. His eldest brother, Vincent, is a retired NFL safety who spent the majority of his career with the Tennessee Titans. His older brother, Corey, is a retired wide receiver, who previously played for the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints. The younger brother, Kendall, is a cornerback for the Washington Commanders. Kendall won Super Bowl LIV with the Kansas City Chiefs.