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Ronald Darby
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Ronald Darby (born January 2, 1994) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and Jacksonville Jaguars. A world-class sprinter during his high school years, Darby won medals at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Darby attended Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland, where he played as many as six different positions on offense, defense, and special teams. Excelling on defense, Darby was part of a Wolverines' secondary that also included Tavon Young, and which registered four shutouts and allowed just 82 points in 2011. Darby was a USA Today and Sports Illustrated High School All-American in 2011, and participated in the 2012 Under Armour All-American Game. as a junior, rushed for 1,329 yards and 23 touchdowns, while tallying three interceptions and eight pass breakups on defense.
Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Darby, running a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, was ranked as the No. 2 cornerback prospect in his class, behind only Tracy Howard.[1] He chose Florida State over Notre Dame, Maryland, Clemson and Auburn.
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's athletics | ||
| Representing the | ||
| World Youth Championships | ||
| 2011 Lille | Medley relay | |
| 2011 Lille | 200 m | |
Darby won a bronze medal in the 200 m at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics.[2][3] He also finished fourth in the 100 m.[4] Along with Aldrich Bailey, Najee Glass, and Arman Hall, he ran a World Youth Best in the meet's medley relay.
His personal bests are 6.77 seconds in the 60 meters, 10.41 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.05 seconds in the 200 meters.[5]
College career
[edit]As a true freshman at Florida State, Darby was part of a Florida State defense that led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in points allowed (15.1 per game) and yards allowed (253.8). They ranked seventh in the FBS. Although exclusively a back-up to Xavier Rhodes and Nick Waisome, Darby registered 18 tackles and broke up seven passes in 2012, which earned him ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.[6] Darby was also named Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.[7] In the 2013 Orange Bowl vs. Northern Illinois, Darby registered four solo tackles and one defended pass.[8] As a sophomore, he played in 14 games with nine starts, including playing in, and winning the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. For the season he had 14 tackles and two interceptions. As a junior in 2014, he started all 14 games and recorded 43 tackles. Additionally, Darby was a brother of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity while attending Florida State University.[9]
After his junior season, Darby entered the 2015 NFL draft.[10]
Professional career
[edit]Pre-draft
[edit]| External videos | |
|---|---|
NFL draft analysts projected Darby to be selected in the second or third round.[11] He attended the NFL Combine and performed well in the 40, 20, and 10-yard dash. He participated at Florida State's Pro Day, but only performed positional drills. He had pre-draft visits with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, and New York Jets.[12] NFL analyst Lance Zierlein ranked him as the third-best cornerback in the draft.[13] Sports Illustrated ranked Darby as the sixth-best cornerback prospect in the draft.[14] NFLDraftScout.com had him ranked as the seventh best cornerback available in the draft.[15]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 10+5⁄8 in (1.79 m) |
193 lb (88 kg) |
31+3⁄8 in (0.80 m) |
8+5⁄8 in (0.22 m) |
4.38 s | 1.53 s | 2.56 s | 4.14 s | 6.94 s | 41.5 in (1.05 m) |
10 ft 9 in (3.28 m) |
15 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[16][17] | ||||||||||||
Buffalo Bills
[edit]The Buffalo Bills selected Darby in the second round (50th overall) of the 2015 NFL draft.[18] He was the seventh cornerback drafted and was the first of two cornerbacks selected from Florida State, along with third-round pick (78th overall) P. J. Williams.[19]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
"He's physical, not only with the ball carriers, but as a press guy and Rex is a big press guy. He has physical attributes, height weight, plays with speed. Not great production this year, but he also wasn't challenged much this year, and he can come in and learn behind some quality corners. We had some talks, got close, but nothing came to fruition. We were excited to move down, but we're more excited to have Darby. Three things: We said at the beginning of the draft we were going to take the best player; we can take a corner every year; and with the additions the other teams have made in this division, we have to keep up in the arms race."[20]
2015
[edit]On May 19, 2015, the Buffalo Bills signed Darby to a four–year, US$4.56 million rookie contract that included $2.17 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.58 million.[21]
Throughout training camp, he competed against Leodis McKelvin, Corey Graham, Ross Cockrell, Nickell Robey, and Ron Brooks to be a starting cornerback under defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman. Head coach Rex Ryan named him the a starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Stephon Gilmore.[22]
On September 13, 2015, Darby made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Buffalo Bills' home-opener against the Indianapolis Colts and made six combined tackles (five solo), two pass deflections, and had his first career interception on a pass thrown by Andrew Luck to wide receiver T. Y. Hilton during a 27–14 victory.[23] In Week 3, he recorded five combined tackles (four solo), set a season-high with four pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Ryan Tannehill to tight end Jordan Cameron during a 41–14 victory at the Miami Dolphins.[24] His performance earned him the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.[25] In Week 9, Darby collected a season-high ten solo tackles and made a pass deflection as the Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins 33–17. He was inactive for the Bills' 16–6 victory against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16 after suffering a groin injury.[26] He finished his rookie season with 68 combined tackles (61 solo), 21 pass deflections, and two interceptions in 15 games and 15 starts, while also being named Pro Football Focus' Defensive Rookie of the Year.[27] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[28] He received an overall grade of 86.3 from Pro Football Focus, which is the fifth highest grade by a rookie cornerback since PFF began.[29]
2016
[edit]He entered training camp slated as the de facto No. 2 starting cornerback. Head coach Rex Ryan retained Darby and Stephon Gilmore as the starting cornerbacks following their successful performance in 2015.[30]
On September 15, 2016, Darby made six combined tackles (five solo) and set a season-high with three pass deflections as the Bills were defeated 31–37 by the New York Jets. He was inactive for the Bills' 33–18 victory against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3 due to a hamstring injury.[31] In Week 7, he collected a season-high eight solo tackles during a 28–25 loss at the Miami Dolphins. On November 27, 2016, Darby made four solo tackles before exiting in the first quarter of a 28–21 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars after suffering a concussion after running back Chris Ivory accidentally delivered a knee into Darby's helmet while he was attempting a hurdle as Darby dove for a tackle. He remained in concussion protocol and was subsequently inactive for a 38–24 loss at the Oakland Raiders the following week.[32] In Week 14, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (seven solo) during a 27–20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. On December 27, 2016, the Bills announced their decision to fire head coach Rex Ryan after falling to a 7–8 record and appointed offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn to interim head coach for the last game of the season. He finished the 2016 NFL season with 69 combined tackles (60 solo) and 12 pass deflections in 14 games and 14 starts.[27] He received an overall grade of 70.6 from Pro Football Focus in 2016, which ranked 66th among all qualifying cornerbacks.[29]
2017
[edit]On January 11, 2017, the Buffalo Bills hired Carolina Panthers' defensive coordinator Sean McDermott as their new head coach.[33] He entered training camp slated as the No. 1 starting cornerback following the departure of Stephon Gilmore and was paired with rookie first round pick Tre'Davious White under new defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.[34]
Philadelphia Eagles
[edit]On August 11, 2017, the Bills traded Darby to the Philadelphia Eagles for slot wide receiver Jordan Matthews and a third round pick (96th overall) in the 2018 NFL draft.[35] During training camp, he competed to be a starting cornerback against Patrick Robinson, Rasul Douglas, and Jalen Mills under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Head coach Doug Pederson named him the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Jalen Mills.[36]

On September 10, 2017, Darby made his debut with the Philadelphia Eagles in their season-opener at the Washington Redskins and made one solo tackle before being carted off the field in the second quarter of a 30–17 victory after injuring his ankle. The following day, it was reported that Darby was diagnosed with a dislocated ankle and was expected to be out for 4–6 weeks.[37] On November 19, 2017, Darby returned from injury after missing eight games (Weeks 2–9) and collected a season-high eight solo tackles, made two pass deflections, and had his first interception of the season on a pass thrown by Dak Prescott to wide receiver Dez Bryant as the Eagles won 37–9 at the Dallas Cowboys. In Week 15, he made five solo tackles, set a season-high with three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Eli Manning to wide receiver Roger Lewis during a 34–29 win at the New York Giants. The following week, Darby made six combined tackles (three solo), a pass deflection, and secured the Eagles' 19-10 victory against the Oakland Raiders after intercepting a pass by Derek Carr to wide receiver Amari Cooper with 57 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. He finished with 34 combined tackles (30 solo), a career-high three interceptions, and nine passes defended in eight games and seven starts. He earned an overall grade of 78.3 from Pro Football Focus in 2017.[38]
The Philadelphia Eagles finished the 2017 NFL season first in the NFC East with a 13–3 record to clinch a first-round bye. On January 17, 2018, Darby started in his first career playoff appearance and made seven solo tackles and a pass deflection as the Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons 15–10 in the Divisional Round. The following week, he recorded seven combined tackles (five solo) and a team-high three pass deflections as the Eagles routed the Minnesota Vikings 38–7 in the NFC Championship Game to advance to the Super Bowl. On February 4, 2018, Darby started in Super Bowl LII and had four solo tackles and two pass deflections as the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41–33.[39]
2018
[edit]He returned as the Eagles' No. 1 starting cornerback in 2018 and was again paired with Jalen Mills.[40] In Week 2, Darby collected a season-high eight solo tackles, made a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass attempt by Ryan Fitzpatrick to tight end O. J. Howard during a 21–27 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On October 11, 2018, Darby made two solo tackles and set a season-high with four pass deflections during a 31–13 victory at the New York Giants. In Week 10, Darby had five combined tackles (three solo) before exiting in the third quarter of a 20–37 loss to the Dallas Cowboys after suffering and injury while covering wide receiver Amari Cooper. On November 12, 2018, Eagles' head coach Doug Pederson announced that Darby had suffered a torn ACL and would miss the remainder of the 2018 NFL season.[41] On November 17, 2018, the Eagles officially placed him on injured reserve and he remained inactive for the last seven games (Weeks 11–17) of the season.[42] He finished with 43 combined tackles (39 solo), 12 passes defended, and one interception in nine games and nine starts.[43] Pro Football Focus had Darby finish the 2018 NFL season with an overall grade of 67.5.[38]
2019
[edit]On March 15, 2019, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Darby to a one–year, $6.50 million contract extension that included $4.50 million guaranteed upon signing and an initial signing bonus of $3.50 million.[44][21]
He entered training camp on the PUP list, but was able to eventually return to practice and compete for a starting role against Sidney Jones, Jalen Mills, Avonte Maddox, Rasul Douglas, and Cre'Von LeBlanc.[45] Head coach Doug Pederson named Darby and Avonte Maddox the starting cornerbacks to begin the regular season.[46]
On September 15, 2019, Darby made three combined tackles (two solo), set a season-high with three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Matt Ryan to wide receiver Julio Jones during a 24–20 loss at the Atlanta Falcons.[47] The following week, he collected a season-high six solo tackles before he exited during the third quarter of a 24–27 loss against the Detroit Lions after injuring his hamstring.[48] His hamstring injury subsequently sidelined him for the next four games (Weeks 4–7). In Week 13, Darby made three solo tackles, one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Ryan Fitzpatrick to wide receiver DeVante Parker on the first drive of a 37–31 loss against the Miami Dolphins.[49] On December 24, 2019, the Eagles officially placed Darby on injured reserve after he was injured with a hip flexor.[50] He was inactive for the Eagles' 34–17 win at the New York Giants in Week 17. He finished the 2019 NFL season with 37 combined tackles (34 solo), 11 pass breakups, and two interceptions in 11 games and 11 starts. He received an overall grade of 45.9 from Pro Football Focus, marking the lowest grade of his entire career.[38]
Washington Football Team
[edit]2020
[edit]On March 29, 2020, the Washington Redskins signed Darby to a one–year, $3 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $1 million.[51] He entered training camp projected to be a starting cornerback following the departures of Josh Norman and Aaron Colvin. Head coach Ron Rivera named Darby a starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Kendall Fuller.
In Week 9, Darby collected a season-high seven combined tackles (six solo) during a 20–23 loss against the New York Giants. On November 22, 2020, Darby recorded six combined tackles (five solo), set a season-high with four pass deflections, and had a fumble recovery during a 20–9 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. He started all 16 games during the 2020 NFL season and finished with a total of 55 combined tackles (43 solo), 16 pass deflections, and one fumble recovery.[52] He received an overall grade of 69.8 from Pro Football Focus in 2020.
Denver Broncos
[edit]2021
[edit]On March 15, 2021, the Denver Broncos signed Darby to a three–year, $30.00 million contract that includes $19.50 million guaranteed upon signing and a signing bonus of $9.00 million.[53] He entered training camp projected to be a starting cornerback under defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. Head coach Vic Fangio named Darby a starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Kyle Fuller, older brother of Kendall Fuller who he had started alongside in 2020.

On September 12, 2021, Darby made his Denver Broncos debut in their season-opener at the New York Giants and made six solo tackles and a pass deflection before suffering and injuring on the final drive of their 27–13 victory. On September 14, 2021, the Broncos officially placed him on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.[54] On October 9, 2021, he was added back to the active roster after missing four games (Weeks 2–5).[55] On October 21, 2021, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles (six solo) as the Broncos lost 17–14 at the Cleveland Browns. He was inactive for the final two games (Weeks 17–18) of the season due to a shoulder injury.[56] He finished the 2021 NFL season with a total of 53 combined tackles (42 solo) and six pass deflections in 11 games and 11 starts.[57] He received an overall grade of 89.4 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked sixth amongst all qualifying cornerbacks in 2021.[58]
2022
[edit]On January 27, 2022, the Denver Broncos hired Green Bay Packers' offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their new head coach after the team parted ways with former head coach Vic Fangio following a 7–10 record in 2021.[59] Head coach Nathaniel Hackett named Darby a starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Patrick Surtain II.[60]
On September 12, 2022, he started in the Denver Broncos' season-opener at the Seattle Seahawks and collected a season-high six combined tackles (five solo) and broke up a pass as they lost 16–17. In Week 5, Darby had two solo tackles and a pass deflection before he suffered an injury and exited during the second quarter of a 9–12 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts. On October 10, 2022, the Broncos officially placed him on injured reserve after he suffered a torn ACL and was inactive for the last 12 games (Weeks 6–18) of the season.[61] He finished the season with only 14 combined tackles (12 solo) and three pass deflections in five games and five starts. Pro Football Focus had him receive an overall grade of 71.1 in 2022.[62]
2023
[edit]On March 14, 2023, the Denver Broncos officially released Darby.[63]
Baltimore Ravens
[edit]On August 17, 2023, the Baltimore Ravens signed Darby to a one–year, $1.70 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $500,000. He was signed after No. 1 starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey suffered a foot injury that would require surgery.[64]
Upon his arrival at training camp, he competed for a role as the No. 1 starting cornerback against Rock Ya-Sin and Brandon Stephens under defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Head coach John Harbaugh named him a starting cornerback to begin the season, alongside Brandon Stephens.[65]
On September 10, 2023, Darby made his Ravens' debut in their home-opener against the Houston Texans and collected a season-high seven combined tackles (six solo) and made one pass deflection as they won 25–9. He started the first four games before being demoted to a backup cornerback upon Marlon Humphrey's return in Week 5. In Week 11, Darby set a season-high with three pass deflections during a 34–20 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was inactive during a 10–17 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 due to an illness. He finished the season with 28 combined tackles (24 solo) and seven pass deflections in 16 games and seven starts.[66] He received an overall grade of 81.0 from Pro Football Focus in 2023.[67]
Jacksonville Jaguars
[edit]2024
[edit]On March 11, 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Darby to a two–year, $8.50 million contract that includes $5.50 million guaranteed upon signing and an initial signing bonus of $3.00 million.[68] He was reunited with former Philadelphia Eagles' head coach Doug Pederson. He entered training camp slated as a starting cornerback under defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. Head coach Doug Pederson named him a starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Tyson Campbell.[69]
On October 13, 2024, Darby collected a season-high eight combined tackles (six solo) as the Jaguars lost 16–35 at the Chicago Bears. On December 16, 2024, Jaguars' head coach Doug Pederson announced his decision to bench Darby in favor of replacing him with Montaric Brown. He finished the 2024 NFL season with 46 combined tackles (36 solo) and nine pass deflections in 13 games and 12 starts. He received an overall grade of 60.3 from Pro Football Focus in 2024.[70]
2025
[edit]On January 24, 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator Liam Coen to be their new head coach after they fired Doug Pederson following a 4–13 record during the 2024 NFL season.[71] On March 12, 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars officially released Darby.[72]
Houston Texans
[edit]On March 17, 2025, the Houston Texans signed Darby to a one-year, $2.50 million contract.[73]
On June 2, 2025, Darby announced his retirement from professional football.[74]
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | TD | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
| 2015 | BUF | 15 | 15 | 68 | 61 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 48 | 24.0 | 27 | 0 |
| 2016 | BUF | 14 | 14 | 69 | 60 | 9 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | PHI | 8 | 7 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 42 | 14.0 | 37 | 0 |
| 2018 | PHI | 9 | 9 | 43 | 39 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 16 | 16.0 | 16 | 0 |
| 2019 | PHI | 11 | 11 | 37 | 34 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 29 | 14.5 | 16 | 0 |
| 2020 | WAS | 16 | 16 | 55 | 43 | 12 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | DEN | 11 | 11 | 53 | 42 | 11 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | DEN | 5 | 5 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | BAL | 16 | 7 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | JAX | 13 | 12 | 46 | 36 | 10 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 108 | 98 | 414 | 355 | 59 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 8 | 135 | 16.9 | 37 | 0 | |
Postseason
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | TD | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
| 2017 | PHI | 3 | 3 | 18 | 16 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | PHI | Did not play due to injury | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | PHI | Did not play due to injury | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | WAS | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | BAL | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 6 | 6 | 30 | 24 | 6 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 28 | 0 | |
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- ^ "Denver Broncos CB Ronald Darby excelled in press coverage in 2021". predominantlyorange.com. June 27, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
- ^ DiLalla, Aric (January 27, 2022). "Broncos agree to terms with Nathaniel Hackett as head coach". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- ^ Jon Heath (September 8, 2022). "Broncos release depth chart for 2022 NFL season". broncoswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
- ^ DiLalla, Aric (October 10, 2022). "Broncos promote WR Kendall Hinton to active roster, place three players on injured reserve". DenverBroncos.com.
- ^ Tyler Conway (August 19, 2023). "NFL Rumors: Ronald Darby, Ravens Agree to Contract After Marlon Humphrey's Injury". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
- ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 14, 2023). "Broncos release CB Ronald Darby, waive WRs Victor Bolden and Freddie Swain". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
- ^ Erby, Glenn (August 18, 2023). "Ravens officially make four roster moves". USAToday.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ Ryan Mink (September 5, 2023). "Takeaways From Ravens' First Depth Chart". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
- ^ "Pro-Football-Reference: Ronald Darby Game Logs (2023)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
- ^ "One last offseason move for all 16 AFC teams". PFF.com. May 9, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
- ^ Oehser, John (March 13, 2024). "Official: Cornerback Ronald Darby Agreed to Terms with Jaguars". Jaguars.com.
- ^ John Oehser (September 3, 2024). "Jacksonville Jaguars' 2024 Depth Chart Released". Jaguars.com. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
- ^ "Pro Football Focus: Ronald Darby". PFF.com. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
- ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars Agree to Terms with Liam Coen to Become Head Coach". Jacksonville Jaguars. January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Trade WR Christian Kirk and Release Duvernay and Darby". Jaguars.com. March 12, 2025.
- ^ Brener, Jeremy (March 19, 2025). "Former Ravens CB Signs With AFC Foe". SI.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Kownack, Bobby. "Texans CB Ronald Darby retires after 10 NFL seasons". NFL. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Ronald Darby at World Athletics
- DyeStat profile for Ronald Darby
Ronald Darby
View on GrokipediaEarly years
Early life
Ronald Darby was born on January 2, 1994, in Oxon Hill, Maryland.[1] He is the son of Ronald Darby Sr. and Jarina Darby.[4] Darby grew up in the Oxon Hill area, a suburb of Washington, D.C., where his family provided a supportive environment during his formative years.[10] His early childhood was marked by the close involvement of his parents, who later expressed the intense family dynamics surrounding his budding athletic talents.[11] This family foundation set the stage for his transition into organized sports at the high school level.High school career
Ronald Darby attended Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland, where he emerged as a standout athlete in both football and track and field.[12] In football, Darby showcased remarkable versatility, playing up to six positions across offense, defense, and special teams, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and kicker. As a sophomore, he rushed for 1,057 yards and nine touchdowns while contributing defensively.[13][14] His junior year saw even greater offensive production, with 1,329 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, earning him all-metro honors in the Washington, D.C., area. By his senior season, Darby transitioned primarily to cornerback, where his speed and coverage skills earned him recognition as a first-team All-American and the nation's top cornerback prospect in the class of 2012.[13][12] Darby's track and field prowess complemented his football abilities, establishing him as one of the premier sprinters in Maryland high school history. He won the Maryland Class 3A state outdoor championships in the 100-meter dash (10.88 seconds), 200-meter dash (21.37 seconds), 4×100-meter relay, and 4×200-meter relay during his junior year. That same year, he was named the Gatorade Maryland Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year, the first from Potomac High School to receive the honor. Internationally, Darby represented the United States at the 2011 IAAF World Youth Championships in Lille, France, where he placed fourth in the 100-meter final (10.61 seconds) and anchored the gold-medal-winning U.S. medley relay team to a world youth record of 1:49.47.[15][16][17][18][15][19] His dual-sport excellence drew widespread recruitment interest from top college programs, highlighting his potential as a world-class junior sprinter and elite football defender.[12][15]Amateur career
College recruitment
Darby's recruitment process began to accelerate during his junior year at Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland, where his elite speed and versatility as an athlete drew early interest from college scouts. By early 2011, he had secured verbal scholarship offers from 16 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs, highlighting his potential as a shutdown cornerback with track-level quickness.[20] Entering his senior year, Darby's offer list expanded rapidly to more than 30 schools, including elite programs such as Notre Dame, Florida State, Auburn, Clemson, Alabama, and Maryland.[21][22][23] He initially committed to Notre Dame in October 2011 but decommitted on January 9, 2012, reopening his recruitment amid growing pressure from other suitors.[24][25] By late January, he narrowed his choices to Florida State, Auburn, Clemson, and Maryland before announcing his commitment to the Seminoles on February 1, 2012, just before national signing day.[26][4] Rated as a four-star recruit by major scouting services, Darby ranked as the No. 38 overall prospect and No. 6 player in the East region by ESPN, the No. 2 cornerback nationally by Rivals, and the top cornerback by Scout.[27][28][29][30] His high school sprint records, including a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash, significantly boosted his appeal to recruiters seeking multi-sport athletes.[31] Several factors influenced Darby's decision to select Florida State over its competitors, including the program's national prestige under head coach Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles' established reputation for developing defensive backs into NFL talent.[32] The coaching staff's persistent recruitment efforts, particularly after his decommitment from Notre Dame, played a key role in building his trust.[4] Additionally, Florida State's commitment to accommodating his track ambitions—offering a structured plan for participation in both sports—proved decisive, especially compared to Maryland, where the track program faced potential disbandment.[4][33] With no serious consideration of junior college options, Darby pursued a direct path to FBS competition, signing his national letter of intent with the Seminoles on February 1, 2012.[34]Florida State career
Ronald Darby joined Florida State University in 2012 as a highly touted recruit and contributed to the Seminoles' defensive backfield over three seasons, appearing in 42 games and starting 23.[35] His tenure coincided with a dominant period for the program, including three consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championships in 2012, 2013, and 2014, as well as a BCS National Championship victory in 2013. Darby balanced his football commitments with participation on the Seminoles' track and field team, drawing on his high school sprinting background to compete in events like the 60-meter dash during the 2013-14 indoor season as a redshirt freshman.[36] As a true freshman in 2012, Darby appeared in all 14 games, recording 22 tackles (18 solo), eight pass breakups, and one forced fumble while tying for the team lead in pass deflections.[35] His performance earned him ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, as well as selections to the FWAA First-Team Freshman All-America and CFN Second-Team Freshman All-America teams.[35] Additionally, he was named to the All-ACC second team by the conference's head coaches, contributing to Florida State's ACC Championship win and Orange Bowl victory over Northern Illinois.[37] In his sophomore year of 2013, Darby started all 14 games, tallying 14 tackles (11 solo), two interceptions for 16 yards, four pass breakups, and one fumble recovery.[35] Playing a key role in a Seminoles defense that led the nation in scoring defense (12.1 points per game allowed), he helped Florida State secure the ACC title and defeat Auburn 34-31 in the BCS National Championship Game.[38] Darby's junior season in 2014 saw him start all 14 games at cornerback, where he achieved career highs with 43 tackles (28 solo), one tackle for loss, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble.[35] His efforts earned him third-team All-ACC recognition, as Florida State again claimed the ACC Championship before falling to Oregon in the Rose Bowl semifinal of the College Football Playoff.[35] Over his college career, Darby amassed 79 tackles (57 solo), two interceptions, 16 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery, demonstrating his versatility and speed in coverage while maintaining dual-sport involvement.[35] Following the 2014 season, he decided to forgo his senior year and declared for the 2015 NFL Draft, a decision confirmed by Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher.[39]Professional career
Pre-draft experience
Following his junior season at Florida State, where he recorded 31 tackles, three interceptions, and 14 pass breakups, Ronald Darby declared for the 2015 NFL Draft on January 8, 2015, forgoing his senior year to pursue professional opportunities.[40] Darby showcased his elite athleticism at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, recording a 4.38-second 40-yard dash—the seventh-fastest time among all participants and second-fastest among cornerbacks—which highlighted his track background and potential to cover speedy receivers.[7][41] He also posted a 41.5-inch vertical jump, tying for the highest among defensive backs, along with a 10-foot-9-inch broad jump and a 6.94-second three-cone drill, further emphasizing his explosiveness and agility despite a modest 12 bench press repetitions.[41][42] At Florida State's Pro Day on March 31, 2015, Darby weighed in at 191 pounds and opted not to re-run timed drills, relying on his Combine results, but impressed over 30 NFL teams—including the New Orleans Saints, with whom he later held a private workout—through sharp performance in positional drills that demonstrated his fluid footwork and ball skills in coverage scenarios.[43][44] His efforts there solidified his reputation as a technically sound prospect capable of transitioning quickly to the pros. Draft analysts widely regarded Darby as one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2015 class, with scouting reports praising his man-coverage ability, hip fluidity, and recovery speed; mock drafts frequently projected him as a late first-round or early second-round selection, such as to teams like the Carolina Panthers or New England Patriots needing immediate outside corner help.[45][46]Buffalo Bills (2015–2017)
The Buffalo Bills selected Ronald Darby in the second round (50th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.[1] On May 19, 2015, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $4.57 million, including a signing bonus of $1.45 million.[47] As a rookie in 2015, Darby quickly earned a starting role at cornerback, appearing in 15 games with 15 starts. He recorded 68 tackles (61 solo) and two interceptions, contributing to the Bills' secondary while allowing a passer rating of 67.0 against when targeted. His performance earned him a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie Team.[1][48][49] In 2016, Darby's second season was impacted by injuries, including a hamstring issue early in the year and a concussion sustained in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which caused him to miss the following game. Despite these setbacks, he started 14 of 14 games played, tallying 69 tackles (60 solo) and three passes defensed. His consistent coverage helped solidify the Bills' defensive backfield amid a challenging 7-9 season.[1][50][51] Prior to the 2017 regular season, on August 11, 2017, the Bills traded Darby to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for wide receiver Jordan Matthews and a 2018 third-round draft pick. Over his two full seasons with Buffalo, Darby established himself as a reliable starting cornerback, starting 29 of 29 games and accumulating 137 tackles and two interceptions.[52][1]Philadelphia Eagles (2017–2019)
On August 11, 2017, the Philadelphia Eagles acquired cornerback Ronald Darby from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for wide receiver Jordan Matthews and a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.[52] Darby immediately became a starter for the Eagles' secondary, appearing in eight regular-season games with seven starts in 2017.[1] He recorded 34 combined tackles, three interceptions, and nine pass deflections during the regular season, despite missing eight games (Weeks 2–9) after suffering a dislocated ankle in Week 1 against the Washington Redskins.[1] In the playoffs, Darby started all three games, including the divisional round victory over the Atlanta Falcons, the NFC championship win over the Minnesota Vikings, and Super Bowl LII.[2] In the Super Bowl, he contributed four solo tackles and two pass deflections as the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41–33 to win their first Super Bowl title.[2] In the 2018 season, Darby started all nine games he played before suffering a torn ACL in Week 10 against the Dallas Cowboys, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year.[53] He tallied 43 combined tackles (39 solo), one interception, and 12 pass deflections, helping anchor the Eagles' defense early in the campaign.[1] His performance earned consideration as a Pro Bowl alternate, though he was not selected due to the midseason injury.[54] Darby re-signed with the Eagles on March 15, 2019, to a one-year contract worth $8.5 million.[55] He started all 11 games he appeared in during the 2019 season, recording 37 combined tackles (34 solo), two interceptions, and 11 pass deflections.[1] Injuries limited his availability, including a hamstring strain in Week 3 that caused him to miss multiple games and a hip flexor injury in Week 16 that landed him on injured reserve.[56][57] Over his three seasons with the Eagles from 2017 to 2019, Darby played in 28 regular-season games (27 starts), accumulating 114 combined tackles, six interceptions, and 32 pass deflections, while starting all eight postseason contests during the 2017 playoff run.[1] His arrival bolstered the Eagles' cornerback position and played a pivotal role in their championship-caliber defense that secured Super Bowl LII.[2]Washington Commanders (2020)
On March 29, 2020, Ronald Darby signed a one-year contract with the Washington Football Team (formerly the Redskins) worth $3 million, including a $1 million signing bonus and potential incentives up to $4 million.[58][59] The deal was influenced by Darby's injury-plagued tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he missed significant time in 2018 and 2019 due to hip and knee issues, positioning him as a cost-effective veteran addition to bolster Washington's secondary depth amid free agency moves under new head coach Ron Rivera.[60] Darby entered training camp at the Inova Sports Performance Center in Ashburn, Virginia, as a projected starting cornerback opposite Kendall Fuller, following the departures of Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar. The preseason was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a condensed preparation period with enhanced health protocols, including daily testing and virtual meetings; Washington adapted by focusing on veteran integration, where Darby impressed in one-on-one drills against wide receivers like Terry McLaurin, showcasing his speed and ball skills.[61] The team's 2020 season unfolded amid ongoing pandemic challenges, such as postponed games and roster disruptions, but proceeded to a full 17-week schedule, with Washington finishing 7-9 and reaching the playoffs as NFC East champions. In the regular season, Darby started all 16 games at cornerback, logging 1,073 defensive snaps and recording 55 combined tackles (43 solo), 16 pass deflections, and one fumble recovery, contributing to Washington's second-ranked pass defense that allowed just 195.7 yards per game.[1][62] He appeared in the wild-card playoff loss to Tampa Bay, starting and adding four tackles.[1] Following the season, Darby's contract expired, making him an unrestricted free agent in March 2021 and drawing interest from multiple teams seeking experienced secondary help.[47]Denver Broncos (2021–2022)
On March 15, 2021, Ronald Darby signed a three-year contract worth $30 million with the Denver Broncos, including $19.5 million guaranteed.[47] The deal positioned Darby as a key addition to the Broncos' secondary, where he was expected to pair with slot cornerback Bryce Callahan and provide veteran leadership alongside safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson.[63] In the 2021 season, Darby started all 11 games he played before a shoulder injury placed him on injured reserve in Week 16, recording 53 tackles (42 solo), one tackle for loss, and six passes defensed while allowing a 54.3% completion rate on 70 targets.[1] His performance contributed to the Broncos' defense ranking 18th in total yards allowed (345.6 per game) and helped stabilize the unit during a 7-10 campaign under head coach Vic Fangio.[64] Darby excelled in press-man coverage, ranking among the league's top cornerbacks in that scheme with an 84.8 passer rating allowed when targeted.[65] Darby's 2022 season was cut short after five starts, where he tallied 14 tackles (12 solo), three passes defensed, and his first career forced fumble, before suffering a torn ACL in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts, sidelining him for the remainder of the year.[1][66] Despite the abbreviated stint, his early contributions supported a secondary that ranked 22nd in pass defense (226.5 yards allowed per game) amid a transitional 5-12 season with new head coach Nathaniel Hackett.[67] Over his two seasons with Denver, Darby appeared in 16 games with 16 starts, accumulating 67 tackles, nine passes defensed, and one forced fumble while serving as a reliable outside cornerback who emphasized physicality at the line of scrimmage and ball disruption.[1] On March 10, 2023, the Broncos released him to free up approximately $9.6 million in salary cap space ahead of the new league year, leaving a $3 million dead cap hit.Baltimore Ravens (2023)
On August 17, 2023, the Baltimore Ravens signed veteran cornerback Ronald Darby to a one-year contract worth up to $3.2 million, addressing depth needs in the secondary after injuries to players like Marlon Humphrey during training camp.[68][69] Darby, who had been released by the Denver Broncos in March 2023, quickly integrated into the Ravens' defensive scheme, providing rotational support and special teams contributions amid ongoing injuries in the cornerback room.[68][70] In the 2023 regular season, he appeared in all 16 games, starting seven, and tallied 28 tackles (24 solo), seven passes defensed, and one fumble recovery, often filling in as the No. 2 cornerback opposite Marlon Humphrey when healthy.[1][71] His steady play helped stabilize the unit during a season marked by secondary attrition. The Ravens' defense, fortified by such veteran depth, finished first in the NFL in points allowed per game (16.5), sacks (60), and takeaways (31), setting a triple-crown record as the first defense in league history to lead in all three categories.[72][73] Darby's contract expired at the end of the 2023 season, and he was not re-signed by Baltimore heading into free agency.[74]Jacksonville Jaguars (2024)
On March 13, 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed veteran cornerback Ronald Darby to a two-year contract worth up to $10 million, with $5.5 million guaranteed, adding depth and experience to their secondary following his stint with the Baltimore Ravens.[75][76] During the 2024 season, Darby appeared in 13 games for the Jaguars, starting 12, and logged 659 defensive snaps, which accounted for 55% of the team's total defensive plays.[1][77] He recorded 46 total tackles (36 solo), nine pass breakups, three tackles for loss, and no interceptions, serving as a key rotational player and occasional starter in the secondary alongside Tyson Campbell and Montaric Brown.[1][78] His experience from the Ravens' depth chart helped him adapt quickly to Jacksonville's defensive scheme under coordinator Ryan Nielsen.[79] Darby contributed notably in AFC South matchups, including a critical pass breakup on Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud's deep throw to wide receiver Tank Dell during Week 13, helping to limit big plays in a divisional rivalry game.[78] In Week 4 against the Texans, he faced heavy targeting from Houston's passing attack involving Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs but remained a consistent presence in coverage.[80] Against the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans, his snaps in divisional contests underscored his role in stabilizing the Jaguars' pass defense amid injuries and rotations.[1] The Jaguars released Darby on March 12, 2025, as part of offseason roster adjustments to free up salary cap space and reshape the secondary ahead of free agency.[81][82]Houston Texans and retirement (2025)
On March 20, 2025, following his release from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ronald Darby signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans worth a base salary of $1.5 million.[81][83] Darby did not appear in any games for the Texans, as he informed the team of his intent to retire shortly after the start of organized team activities. On June 2, 2025, the Texans placed him on the reserve/retired list, officially ending his NFL career after 10 seasons.[2][84] Darby's decision to retire was influenced by the cumulative toll of injuries sustained throughout his career, including multiple ACL tears in 2018 and 2022, as well as other setbacks that limited his playing time in recent years. While specific personal motivations such as family considerations or broader career reflection were not publicly detailed, the physical demands after a decade in the league played a significant role.[85][86] Over his NFL tenure, Darby appeared in 118 games with 107 starts across six teams, contributing as a reliable cornerback who helped the Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl LII in 2018. His versatility and experience provided depth to multiple secondaries, though persistent injuries prevented him from achieving All-Pro status.[2][87]Career statistics and achievements
Regular season statistics
Ronald Darby played in 118 regular season games over 10 NFL seasons from 2015 to 2024, starting 107 of them.[1] His year-by-year regular season statistics are as follows:| Year | Team | Games Played | Games Started | Tackles | Solo | Assisted | Interceptions | Pass Deflections | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | BUF | 15 | 15 | 68 | 61 | 7 | 2 | 21 | 0 |
| 2016 | BUF | 14 | 14 | 69 | 60 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 2017 | PHI | 8 | 7 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 0 |
| 2018 | PHI | 9 | 9 | 43 | 39 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| 2019 | PHI | 11 | 11 | 37 | 34 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 0 |
| 2020 | WAS | 16 | 16 | 55 | 43 | 12 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 2021 | DEN | 11 | 11 | 53 | 42 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 2022 | DEN | 5 | 5 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2023 | BAL | 16 | 7 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 2024 | JAX | 13 | 12 | 46 | 36 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
Postseason statistics
Ronald Darby appeared in six NFL postseason games during his career, spanning stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, and Baltimore Ravens. His most notable playoff run came in 2017 with the Eagles, where he started all three games en route to a Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots. Despite suffering a dislocated ankle early in the regular season that caused him to miss eight games, Darby returned in time for the playoffs and provided solid coverage as a cornerback.[1][81] In the 2017 Divisional Round against the Atlanta Falcons, Darby recorded seven tackles and one pass defended, contributing to the Eagles' 15-10 defensive stand that advanced them to the NFC Championship. He followed with seven tackles (five solo) and three passes defended in the NFC Championship win over the Minnesota Vikings, helping secure Philadelphia's Super Bowl berth. In Super Bowl LII, Darby started and tallied four solo tackles along with two passes defended, aiding the Eagles' 41-33 upset victory and earning him a championship ring as part of the winning roster. Darby's other postseason appearances were more limited. With the 2020 Washington Football Team, he started in their Wild Card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, registering five tackles and one pass defended. In 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens, he started both games, including a Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans and an AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs where he forced a fumble; he totaled seven tackles and two passes defended across those contests.[90] Over his postseason career, Darby started all six games he played, accumulating 30 tackles (24 solo), nine passes defended, and one forced fumble, though he did not record an interception. His contributions were particularly impactful during the Eagles' championship run, where his defensive efforts helped limit opponents' passing attacks in critical moments.[1]| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Tackles | Solo | Ast | PD | INT | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | PHI | 3 | 3 | 18 | 16 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | WAS | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | BAL | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | - | 6 | 6 | 30 | 24 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
Achievements
- Super Bowl champion (LII)
- AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up (2015)[1]