Lardarius

Webb

Webb was out of the league last year and didn’t draw any interest this offseason. He had 467 tackles, five sacks, and 15 interceptions over nine seasons (six as a starter). Webb spent his entire career in Baltimore.

Webb was surprisingly slated for the start even before rookie Jimmy Smith went down with a high-ankle sprain on the opening kickoff. He won’t be pushed by Domonique Foxworth or Chris Carr after impressing with a series of hard hits against the Steelers.

Webb has been tendered at the highest level, while Williams has drawn a second-round tender. Williams is expected back in Baltimore, but Webb could draw interest on the open market even though any signing team would have to surrender a first-round draft pick if the Ravens chose not to match their offer. Still just 26, Webb notched five interceptions in 2011, and graded out as the league’s fourth best cornerback by Pro Football Focus.

Webb is likely Baltimore’s priority because he’s a better corner and the Ravens may eventually look to replace Williams with 2011 first-round pick Jimmy Smith. Webb was tendered at the first-round level, but has yet to sign on the dotted line. Both sides appear intent on working out a long-term contract.

Mike Wallace and Arian Foster have garnered all of the hype among RFAs, but Webb isn’t far behind. Fully recovered from ACL surgery, Webb flashed Pro Bowl form last season, particularly down the stretch and in the playoffs. Baltimore’s capologists have their hands full this offseason in extending Webb, LG Ben Grubbs, and QB Joe Flacco in addition to the franchise tag for Ray Rice.

Mike Wallace has gotten all of the media attention, but Webb is coming off a Pro Bowl-caliber season at a premium position. The Pats could sign Webb to a front-loaded offer sheet, give up the No. 31 overall pick in the draft, and still have the 27th pick. There’s pressure on the Ravens to lock up Webb over the next 3-4 days.

Williams is safe at that level, though Webb could draw interest around the league. The Ravens are reportedly “pushing hard” to lock him up before the start of free agency. Coming off hip surgery, Williams will be pushed hard by 2011 first-rounder Jimmy Smith this summer.

He’ll make $18 million in the deal’s first two years, and $33.5 million in the first four. Per Pro Football Focus, Webb didn’t allow a single touchdown pass in 2011, and opposing quarterbacks posted a miserable 55.6 passer rating on throws into his coverage. Also a playmaker, Webb recorded eight interceptions, including three in the playoffs and had 23 pass breakups. One of the best young corners in football, Webb doesn’t turn 27 until October.

Wilson reports Webb could miss anywhere from one week to the entire postseason. Easily the Ravens’ best cornerback this season, Pro Football Focus has graded Webb out as the fifth best corner in all of football through 14 weeks. He’s tallied 62 tackles and four picks. First-round pick Jimmy Smith should step into the starting lineup in Webb’s absence.

Webb stayed in the game after suffering the injury in Week 14, so it’s not exactly a stretch. John Harbaugh expects Webb to play against the Chargers even though he’s sporting a walking boot early this week.