Tyler Badie could be the Ravens surprise rookie in 2022

The Baltimore Ravens have high hopes for a number of members of their 2022 NFL Draft class, but one name that’s definitely flown under the radar to this point has been running back Tyler Badie.

Drafted in the sixth round of this year’s draft, Badie joins a crowded running back room that will feature the likes of J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Mike Davis, and Justice Hill.

Despite this, Bleacher Report’s Ian Wharton recently listed Badie as someone who could be the Ravens’ “surprise rookie” in 2022.

Everyone has high expectations for the likes of Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum. Both players are expected to immediately step in as day-one starters with the belief that they will eventually develop into long-term cornerstones.

Expectations are understandably lower for Badie, however. Still, many are excited to see what the former Missouri standout could do in the NFL.

"“[Badie] great explosiveness and ability to impact the offense as a receiver. He totaled 3,889 yards from scrimmage and 34 scores throughout his career despite only being the primary rusher in his senior season. Watch for his quickness and receiving ability to make a difference as he climbs the depth chart while Baltimore rotates backs in its run-heavy offense.”"

Tyler Badie will look to crack the Ravens’ running back rotation in 2022

A one-year starter at Missouri, Badie burst onto the scene as a senior in 2021 when he rushed for 1,604 yards and 14 touchdowns on a healthy 6.0 yards per carry average.

It was enough to earn him second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC honors. But despite his collegiate success, Badie fell all the way to the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Some felt that this was due to his lack of size. Badie stands at just 5-foot-8, 197 pounds, and many didn’t see him as someone who could become a three-down back at the NFL level.

The Ravens don’t need him to be that, however. Badie will be in competition for the RB3 role behind Dobbins and Edwards, and he could very well wrestle it away from both Davis and Hill with a strong summer.

With 4.45 speed, Badie is an electric playmaker in open space with the pass-catching chops to make an impact on third downs. The Ravens didn’t need to draft a running back, but they felt Badie’s value was too great to pass up.

While most of the attention will be on players like Hamilton and Linderbaum, don’t be surprised to see someone like Tyler Badie make some noise this season.