Evaluating the Draft Performance of Baltimore Ravens
Rewritten Article:
The Baltimore Ravens shook things up in the 2022 NFL Draft, emphasizing defensive versatility and offensive line stability. Here's what we thought about their key picks, and how they've fared so far:
Big Wins Early On: Building a Formidable Secondary
The Ravens put their cards on the table early, selecting Kyle Hamilton (No. 14 overall) and Tyler Linderbaum (No. 25 overall) in the first round.
Hamilton, a safety standout from Notre Dame, showcases exceptional versatility, with a rare combo of size (6'4" and 220 lbs) and range. His college career saw him excel in coverage, recording 3 interceptions and 4 pass deflections in his final season, and delivering impressive runs support too. With brains to back his brawn, Hamilton boasts a high football IQ and a keen instinct for the game.
However, pre-draft concerns revolve around his straight-line speed and adapting to deep coverage in the NFL. Despite this, Hamilton secured the Pro Bowl spot by 2023, solidifying his position as a centerpiece in Baltimore’s secondary alongside Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Williams.
Linderbaum, a technical powerhouse on the offensive line, fared well at Iowa. Winning the Rimington Trophy (given to college football’s top center) in 2022, Linderbaum's quickness and leverage (6'2" and 296 lbs) make him a perfect fit for Baltimore’s run-heavy scheme. Potential concerns about his size facing NFL's giants still linger, but that's a story for another day.
Later-Round Picks: Adding Depth and Upside
The Ravens didn't stop there. In the second round, they selected David Ojabo, an explosive edge rusher from Michigan, piling on 11 sacks in 2021. His bend and hand-fighting technique promises to cause chaos for NFL quarterbacks.
However, an Achilles tear during pre-draft testing meant Ojabo's rookie-year impact took a major hit. His raw technique beyond speed rushes also calls for refinement.
Other notable later-round picks include Travis Jones (DT, UConn) and Daniel Faalele (OT, Minnesota). Jones, a run-stuffing lineman, has turned out to be a rotational contributor. Despite his massive frame (6'4" and 325 lbs), Faalele's footwork concerns limit his potential.
A Clue to Baltimore's 2025 Strategy
The Ravens' 2022 draft strategy heavily emphasized defensive versatility and offensive line stability, mirroring their 2025 approach. Notably, this strategy was typified by the drafting of future safety star Malaki Starks[1][3][5].
All in all, the Ravens' 2022 draft class has laid the foundation for recent success, with Hamilton and Linderbaum now key pillars of the roster[5]. The future looks bright in the Charm City.
- The Baltimore Ravens' 2022 draft strategy, reflecting their potential 2025 approach, included the selection of Malaki Starks, a future safety star who could strengthen Baltimore's secondary.
- Kyle Hamilton, a safety selected 14th overall by the Ravens, boasts exceptional versatility, excelling in coverage and run support, despite concerns about his straight-line speed and deep coverage in the NFL.
- In the NFL, Tyler Linderbaum, a center from Iowa who was the 25th overall pick by the Ravens, showcases quickness and leverage, perfectly fitting Baltimore's run-heavy scheme, but his size may still face challenges against NFL's giants.
- David Ojabo, an edge rusher from Michigan selected in the second round by the Ravens, possesses explosive speed and brilliant hand-fighting technique, yet concerns about his rookie-year impact due to a pre-draft Achilles tear and the need for refinement in his technique beyond speed rushes persist.
- Travis Jones, a run-stuffing lineman from UConn, and Daniel Faalele, an offensive tackle from Minnesota, have been noteworthy later-round picks for the Ravens, with Jones contributing to the rotation and Faalele's potential being limited by footwork concerns.
