Ravens’ biggest winners and losers of the 2022 NFL Draft

Ravens’ Loser No. 1: Ja’Wuan James

We love a good recovery story, but sadly we don’t think offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James will secure a starting spot on the Ravens’ roster come season time.

Baltimore have every reason to keep James after trading for him in 2021, and the team knew exactly what kind of player it was getting: an injured one.

James had tore his Achilles tendon last May and wasn’t expected to play any games as a Raven last season. The team kept diligent tabs on his recovery then and will do so again this year, when James will take the next step and hopefully suit up at some point in the season.

With newly acquired Morgan Moses and recently drafted Daniel Faalele competing for the right tackle position, though, James may simply have too high a hill to climb.

James hasn’t played since 2019 and has dealt with injuries for most of his professional career. His heyday came on the Miami Dolphins, when he started 65 games in five seasons, but James’ injury history forebodes even a developmental prospect like Faalele to quickly overtake him on the Ravens’ depth chart.

Best case scenario: James stays healthy for the 2022 season and plays a very limited rotational role.

Worst case scenario: James never returns to full health and gets buried on the depth chart.

James’ low upside and nagging injuries won’t do him any favors against young and competitive rookies hungry for a starting spot. He’s one of the biggest losers of the 2022 draft, and we try to say that in the nicest way possible.