Twelve Ravens thoughts following 2022 NFL draft

With the 2022 NFL draft now in the books, I’ve offered a dozen Ravens-related thoughts, each in 50 words or less:

1. Sam Koch has been nothing but a professional and a hell of a punter over 16 seasons in Baltimore. He deserves much say in regards to an exit strategy, but I’d assume the Ravens aren’t going to subject him to a “competition” after using a fourth-round pick on his replacement.

2. Given the circumstances and what remained on Marquise Brown’s contract, the Ravens did extremely well in terms of trade value, but you still have to replace him. Do we really believe any remaining impact free-agent receivers are signing up to play in this offense on a “prove-it” deal?

3. Eric DeCosta said, “It wasn’t really by design that we wanted to create a hole on the team.” You wonder if he envisioned any of Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, or Jameson Williams still being there at 14th overall. That could help explain the timing of the trade announcement.

4. We’ll see what the future holds for Justin Houston, but using the rare unrestricted free agent tender — which costs a little over $2.2 million — to increase the odds of his return or fetcht a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere is great business. He can still help this pass rush.

5. In terms of positional value, it was fascinating to see the Ravens buck the decade-long trend of not valuing centers and then draft a punter in the fourth round, 73 spots before Koch was taken in the 2006 draft. Expectations for Tyler Linderbaum and Jordan Stout should be extremely high.

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6. After the hectic first night and David Ojabo’s selection, the Ravens drafting Travis Jones at 76th overall probably didn’t receive enough attention, especially after just about everyone and their grandmother had mocked Jordan Davis to Baltimore. A 6-foot-4, 327-pound defensive tackle who’s shown legitimate pass-rushing potential? Sign me up.

7. Some fans weren’t pleased to see the selection of Jalyn Armour-Davis because of his injury history at Alabama. I understand that sentiment after sitting through the injury-plagued 2021 season, but cornerback prospects with long-term starter upside simply aren’t making it to the fourth round without some obvious flaws.

8. Even with the significant improvements made elsewhere on the offensive line, the group’s success still boils down to Ronnie Stanley’s health. Patrick Mekari is a heck of a Swiss Army knife, but him being the backup left tackle doesn’t ease my concerns if Stanley misses time.

9. Tyler Badie getting to play for the Ravens after growing up in Randallstown is a terrific story, but his receiving ability is intriguing. With Justice Hill entering a contract year and Ty’Son Williams not exactly seizing his opportunities last year, Badie should have a rock-solid chance to make the roster.

10. Between DeCosta’s comments on Lamar Jackson reacting to the Brown trade and the quarterback’s tweets from draft night, you don’t have to go out on a limb to sense frustration. Still, you’d expect that to mostly blow over in time for upcoming organized team activities.

11. Not that you’d bet on a fourth-round receiver moving the needle as a rookie anyway, but NBC’s report of the Ravens being disappointed missing out on Calvin Austin made me chuckle. They couldn’t have liked him that awful much if they drafted a punter before him.

12. Fellow Fighting Irish product and big-time Notre Dame football fan Trey Mancini lit up when asked about the Ravens drafting Kyle Hamilton, calling him a “stud” and “a perfect fit” for Baltimore’s defense. Hamilton seems to have pretty special parents too.