Ravens CB T.J. Tampa ready to cause havoc in AFC after NFL Draft slide

The Baltimore Ravens had to be thrilled when Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa was still on the board at pick No. 130 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Considering where pre-draft boards had him ranked, Tampa sliding to the third round was a bit surprising, let alone the end of the fourth.

As impressive as Tampa's tape was, he didn't have the best pre-draft process. Tampa didn't have the fastest speed times, raising more concerns about the biggest flaw in his game, and didn't perform many of the drills at the NFL Combine. Baltimore took a chance on his tape and talent.

Motivated by that slide, Tampa is out to prove the rest of the league wrong for letting his slide to Baltimore. Tampa isn't sure exactly why he fell as far as he did, but his latest quotes show that he doesn't seem to care much.

“I’m not too sure, it could have been a lot of different things,” Tampa said, via Ravens Wire. “I don’t really know what they were thinking. Maybe it was not doing anything at the combine, or maybe my 40 time...it definitely put a chip on my shoulder, going through this process, so when my name is called I can show everybody what I got.”

T.J. Tampa eyeing revenge after falling to Baltimore Ravens in fourth round of NFL Draft

The 6-2 Tampa recorded three interceptions in his final two seasons with the Cyclones while maintining a passer rating against the the 50s for most of his senior season. While he will never be Deion Sanders-level fast, his size was overwhelming Big 12 receivers regularly.

Tampa will likely compete for dime cornerback snaps during his rookie season. The starting nickel unit of Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, and fellow 2024 rookie Nate Wiggins will shoulder the bulk of responsibility while Tampa and veteran Arthur Maulet play more complementary roles.

If he finds it too difficult to claw up the cornerback depth chart, Tampa could be a prime choice to convert to safety. With great instincts, a physical style of play, and the length needed to disrupt passes, Tampa's tools are so enticing that Baltimore will need to manufacture ways to get him on the field as much as possible.

The Ravens lost a lot of talent in the secondary this offseason, which could give Tampa some in-roads to earn playing time. While he may have been more of a value pick than a selection to fill an immediate need, Tampa is ready to lay waste to the AFC for passing on him.