The Baltimore Ravens are currently slated to have 10 selections in the 2022 NFL draft. Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta has shown that he likes to move up and down the draft board to maximize the amount of talent, but for now the Ravens hold the 14th overall pick.
In his first mock draft of 2022, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN made selections for the entirety of the first round. For Baltimore at No. 14 overall, Kiper picked center Tyler Linderbaum out of the University of Iowa. When explaining why he made the selection, Kiper talked about how current Ravens center Bradley Bozeman is scheduled to be a free agent.
“Injuries decimated the Baltimore roster in 2021, but center Bradley Bozeman had a solid season. The problem? He’s now a free agent and could get more money on the open market.”
Kiper also talked about the need for Baltimore to protect quarterback Lamar Jackson, especially in the event that Bozeman walks.
“Barring significant injuries again, Baltimore is well-positioned for another playoff run in 2022. It needs to keep Lamar Jackson clean in the pocket, and Linderbaum will certainly help there.”
Linderbaum is a great athlete, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing around 290 pounds. He can get out in space and is good in pass protection, but could also experience a few growing pains depending on the scheme he’s drafted into. He projects at his best in a wide-zone scheme, but is a very smart player and has the potential to adapt quickly into multiple different offenses.
It wouldn’t be a shock for the Ravens to shore up the center position if Bozeman leaves town. The team saw what shaky production at the center position can do, as it left Jackson injured in the 2020 Divisional Round.