Baltimore Ravens rookie center Tyler Linderbaum has the potential to become not just the starting center in 2022, but the franchise’s center for years to come.
Baltimore essential traded star wideout Marquise Brown for Linderbaum in the 2022 NFL Draft, and while Brown’s absence in the wide receiver corps will be felt, there’s no denying how good of a pick Linderbaum was for the Ravens.
Despite being undersized for an offensive lineman, Linderbaum landed in a compatible offensive scheme in Baltimore and can dominate the trenches from Day 1.
The Iowa product has played center for his entire career and should immediately buoy the Ravens’ offensive line unit which allowed 57 sacks last season. In Linderbaum, the team found its replacement for former center Bradley Bozeman and as an added bonus, the young rookie has much more long-term staying potential.
Ravens believe Tyler Linderbaum is one of the best center prospects in years, and college coaches agree.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) May 9, 2022
A Big Ten coach told @ESPNRittenberg: "That guy's a 10-year-plus pro, he's like [former All-Pro] Jeff Saturday."
More on Ravens draft picks here:https://t.co/1ihXUAYPwS
Baltimore Ravens plucked a generational center in Tyler Linderbaum
Not too many star defensive tackles in the AFC North can challenge Linderbaum one-on-one, as the center greatly impressed as a run blocker within a run-heavy Iowa program.
Landing in Baltimore projects to be a picture-perfect fit for Linderbaum given that the Ravens also rank as a run-centered team, and Linderbaum’s past experience should help him adapt to the NFL seamlessly.
Linderbaum told reporters:
"“I think with just the center position comes leadership. You’re the guy who has to put people in the right positions and make the right calls. I’ve been playing center for awhile now and I think it just comes natural to me.”"
Behind Linderbaum, versatile lineman Pat Mekari could also take snaps at center, but adding a special talent like Linderbaum no doubt elevates the unit and should keep Lamar Jackson well-protected in 2022.
The return of Ronnie Stanley and recent free-agent signing Morgan Moses will further boost the Ravens’ O-line unit and provide Linderbaum with expert guidance in Year 1 — the rookie may not possess the optimal physical traits to compete at the highest level, but the Ravens are betting that he makes up for it.
Expect Tyler Linderbaum to not only stick around but to dominate for the foreseeable future.