The Baltimore Ravens have a big draft ahead of them in 2022, as they will look to fill out their team with young prospects who can contribute not just next season, but also for many years in the future. The team is currently slated to have 10 total draft picks, so they should have no shortage of opportunities to take some swings at high-level players as well as projects.
In a three-round mock draft, Luke Easterling of The Draft Wire put together what he thinks could happen on Day 1 and Day 2 of the 2022 draft. For Baltimore, he started things of at pick No. 14 by selecting center Tyler Linderbaum out of the University of Iowa. He explained his choice by talking about the Ravens’ offensive line needs help in multiple spots.
“This offense doesn’t fire on all cylinders without a dominant offensive line, and upgrades are necessary this offseason, both at tackle and along the interior. In this scenario, the best value comes inside, where the Ravens land the rare center prospect worthy of a top-15 selection.”
He then rotates between defense and offense in Round 2 and Round 3, selecting safety Jaquan Brisker out of Penn State with the 45th overall pick and Washington State offensive tackle Abraham Luca at pick No. 75.
The selection of Linderbaum hinges on the result of center Bradley Bozeman’s free agent decision. If Bozeman stays, there’s a very little chance that Baltimore selects an interior offensive lineman so high. However, if he leaves then center leapfrogs many other needs and becomes a big priority, and Linderbaum is the best at his position in the 2022 class.
Safety could be a big need as well depending on the status of DeShon Elliott and how much the team trusts Brandon Stephens to take on a much bigger role. Brisker is a tackling machine who also finds himself around the football and is very versatile.
Lucas is solid in both run blocking and pass protection, but isn’t the best athlete. He is a smart player who could be a bargain late in Day 2 or early in Day 3.
All three players fill would-be needs depending on the results of free agency. They have unique skillsets that would benefit Baltimore, and as the draft moves closer there will be a better idea of if the trio would fit in with what the Ravens need from a personnel standpoint.