Ravens build the trenches in a BIG way in 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft
By Justin Fried
Round 1, 14th Overall, Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
This pick depends entirely on the future of Bradley Bozeman. If the Ravens are able to re-sign him this offseason, the center position isn’t a need. But if not, it becomes one of the most important positions to address on the roster.
Fortunately, they might just have one of the best center prospects the NFL has seen in years fall into their laps in the first round. Tyler Linderbaum is everything teams look for in a center.
He’s intelligent, athletic, and technically sound giving him both a high floor and an All-Pro ceiling at the next level. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him immediately step in as one of the best centers in football, ala Creed Humphrey.
Bozeman’s future in Baltimore looks murkier by the day, but landing Linderbaum would certainly help ease the pain of Bozeman walking.
Round 2, 45th Overall, Ravens: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
The Ravens don’t only have to address their offensive line, they need to do the same with their defensive line. Brandon Williams, Calais Campbell, and Justin Ellis are all free agents, and even if one or more return, the team still needs to get younger.
Williams is past his prime and Ellis is little more than a rotational player. That’s why targeting a player like Travis Jones makes all the sense in the world.
Jones is more athletic and offers more upside than your typical nose tackle but still has the strength and power, at 6-foot-4, 328 pounds, to excel in run defense.
A strong performance at the Senior Bowl has seen his stock skyrocket meaning that it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him end up a top-50 pick.