OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens re-signed cornerback Jimmy Smith to a one-year deal on Monday, keeping one of the NFL's most talented secondaries intact.
Smith can earn up to $6 million this season, agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Ravens once again have four first-round picks in the defensive backfield in Smith, cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, and safety Earl Thomas. Last season, Baltimore ranked sixth in pass defense (207.2 yards) and second in lowest passer rating allowed (77.5).
Smith, 31, will rotate with Peters and Humphrey on the outside, and Tavon Young will line up in the slot. In nine games, Smith made one interception and broke up six passes, allowing an impressive 62.8 passer rating on throws in his direction.
The expectation was Smith would sign elsewhere when he hit free agency for the first time. But the Ravens surprisingly brought him back by continuing to invest in their pass defense.
"He's a dominant corner when he's healthy and he's right," Ravens defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale said toward the end of the regular season.
The long-standing challenge for Smith has been staying on the field. Injuries and suspensions have consistently derailed him during his nine-year career and kept Smith from being a Pro Bowl player. A 2011 first-round pick, Smith has been sidelined for one-fourth of the the regular-season games in his career (a total of 37 games missed) and missed six games last season because of a sprained knee.
Smith, Baltimore's top corner from 2014 to 2018, is also the longest-tenured Ravens defensive player. The only current players who have been in Baltimore longer are punter Sam Koch and long-snapper Morgan Cox.
Smith's place in Ravens history has long been secured. In February 2013, he broke up the San Francisco 49ers' final pass, knocking the ball away from Michael Crabtree in the end zone and essentially clinching the Super Bowl title for Baltimore.
In 107 games, Smith has totaled 329 tackles, 14 interceptions and 70 passes defensed. He has scored three touchdowns (two off interceptions and one from a fumble recovery).
In addition to Smith, Baltimore brought back Anthony Levine Sr., one of the team's top special teams players, on a one-year deal. His streak of 112 games played is the third longest among current Ravens.
Smith and Levine are among seven free agents to re-sign with the Ravens this offseason. The others are defensive linemen Jihad Ward and Justin Ellis, returner De'Anthony Thomas, safety Jordan Richards and offensive tackle Andre Smith.