(Photo courtesy of UConn Athletics)
The picks are in for the 2022 draft, so what should we expect from the Ravens’ 11 selections?
With general manager Eric DeCosta making two first-round picks for the second straight year and picking 10 players over the first 141 slots, Baltimore has quite a batch of talent to add to the 2022 roster mix. The 11 picks were the most made by the Ravens since their 2018 draft class that went down as one of the best in franchise history.
Below is an early look at how each rookie fits now and in the future:
S Kyle Hamilton
Drafted: First round (14th overall) out of Notre Dame
2022 projected role: Though a crowded position group and seniority could prevent Hamilton from becoming an official starter by Week 1, his versatility and traits should immediately make him a major part of the secondary in various sub packages.
Long-term outlook: His 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame and football IQ should make Hamilton a fascinating hybrid defender in the years to come as he teams up with free safety Marcus Williams on the back end of the defense. No one should be compared to the legendary Ed Reed, but safeties aren’t taken in the top half of the first round without Pro Bowl aspirations.
C Tyler Linderbaum
Drafted: First round (25th overall) out of Iowa
2022 projected role: The 6-foot-2, 305-pound Linderbaum should step right into the starting lineup after becoming the first center ever drafted by the Ravens in the opening round.
Long-term outlook: Having not valued the center position over the last decade and typically preferring bigger options there, the Ravens clearly loved the former Hawkeyes captain who should be their center for years to come. Saddling even a first-round pick with Pro Bowl expectations seems unfair, but Linderbaum needs to be that kind of a success to justify the pick from a positional value standpoint.
OLB David Ojabo
Drafted: Second round (45th overall) out of Michigan
2022 projected role: DeCosta says team doctors are “optimistic that at some point this year” Ojabo will be able to play after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in March, but expectations should be tempered about the impact the 6-foot-4, 255-pound edge rusher can make as a rookie, especially with so much developmental time lost.
Long-term outlook: This value pick is a swing for the fences with Ojabo possessing more pass-rushing upside than anyone on the current roster, which includes 2021 first-round pick Odafe Oweh. He’s still a raw player who needs further development both as a pass rusher and run defender, but the potential is there for Ojabo to be a high-impact defender sooner than later.
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DT Travis Jones
Drafted: Third round (76th overall) out of Connecticut
2022 projected role: The 6-foot-4, 327-pound defensive lineman should be able to line up at multiple spots on the defensive line and showed enough pass-rushing ability in college to put him in the immediate rotation conversation as a rookie.
Long-term outlook: With Calais Campbell turning 36 in September, Derek Wolfe 32, and the returning Michael Pierce now 29, the Ravens envision Jones as a future starter who can offer an interior rush presence that’s been scarce for this defense in recent years. At the very least, you’d like him to be a starting-caliber nose tackle with potential to show even more versatility.
OT Daniel Faalele
Drafted: Fourth round (110th overall) out of Minnesota
2022 projected role: His 6-foot-8, 380-pound frame will make him fun to watch this summer, but this is the kind of pick made for the future with Faalele considered very raw and the Ravens having multiple short-term options at right tackle.
Long-term outlook: Baltimore will hope its coaching staff can mold this mountain of clay into a formidable starting right tackle after Faalele only began playing football five years ago. His play in the Big Ten was impressive considering his lack of experience, but time will tell whether he can ultimately make the jump to excel in the NFL.
CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
Drafted: Fourth round (119th overall) out of Alabama
2022 projected role: Though Armour-Davis didn’t play much for the Crimson Tide until 2021 because of injuries, his play was strong enough to believe he could become an early depth piece in the way Anthony Averett did as a rookie in 2018.
Long-term outlook: Multiple leg injuries were a big reason why Armour-Davis was on the board in the fourth round, but his 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame and coverage skills give him a chance to be an eventual outside starter, which is relevant with Marcus Peters coming off an ACL injury and scheduled to become a free agent next offseason. Still, it’s tough to expect too much from an oft-injured player with such limited playing experience, meaning you’d take him becoming a quality backup.
TE Charlie Kolar
Drafted: Fourth round (128th overall) out of Iowa State
2022 projected role: The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Kolar will be the favorite to become the No. 3 tight end behind veteran star Mark Andrews and top blocker Nick Boyle and will likely see special-teams action.
Long-term outlook: With perceived strengths and weaknesses that remind you of Andrews coming out of Oklahoma four years ago, Kolar should have every chance to become a viable understudy for the Ravens’ All-Pro tight end. He’ll need to get stronger and improve his blocking, but Kolar becoming a valuable No. 2 tight end for this offense is the realistic goal.
P Jordan Stout
Drafted: Fourth round (130th overall) out of Penn State
2022 projected role: With no disrespect intended for the man who’s played in more games for the Ravens than anyone in their history, Stout was drafted to immediately take the place of longtime punter Sam Koch.
Long-term outlook: Selecting a punter in the fourth round is questionable at best from a positional value standpoint, so expectations will be high for the former Nittany Lion as both a punter and holder for Justin Tucker field goals. If Stout can punt even half as long for the Ravens as Koch has, this will prove to be an acceptable draft pick.
TE Isaiah Likely
Drafted: Fourth round (139th overall) out of Coastal Carolina
2022 projected role: Special teams will likely be the best path for the 6-foot-4, 238-pound “tweener” to see the field as a rookie.
Long-term outlook: Head coach John Harbaugh described Likely as a “very intriguing” talent with potential to play tight end or wide receiver, but you wonder if he’ll have sufficient size for the former or the athleticism for the latter in the NFL. However, Likely’s natural receiving ability and 27 touchdown catches over four years at even a small school make him an interesting pass-catching prospect to watch over the next couple years.
CB Damarion Williams
Drafted: Fourth round (141st overall) out of Houston
2022 projected role: Though Williams provides another slot option in the wake of Tavon Young’s release, this 5-foot-10, 185-pound defensive back will likely need to excel on special teams to see much action as a rookie.
Long-term outlook: Despite his lack of size or great speed, Williams’ toughness will remind observers of Young and aid in his development at the next level. He has a chance to eventually carve out a role as Baltimore’s slot corner if he can become more disciplined when trying to make plays on the ball.
RB Tyler Badie
Drafted: Sixth round (196th overall) out of Missouri
2022 projected role: Badie will compete with the likes of Justice Hill and Ty’Son Williams to become the No. 3 running back, a role more relevant this year with both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards coming off ACL injuries.
Long-term outlook: Any sixth-round pick is far from a lock to even make the team, but Badie’s excellent pass-catching ability is unique to this group of backs and his rookie status gives him an edge over veterans closer to free agency and making more money. A 5-foot-8, 197-pound frame certainly doesn’t scream every-down back, but the Randallstown product has the potential to become a valuable change-of-pace option, especially if he can improve in pass protection.
