2022 NFL Draft: Grading Ravens’ No. 25 pick of Tyler Linderbaum

The Baltimore Ravens were one of the more active teams in the 2022 NFL Draft. But their pick of Tyler Linderbaum at No. 25 was a thing of beauty.

It’s safe to say that Baltimore Ravens fans were devastated by the news earlier in the night that Lamar Jackson’s number one target, ‘Hollywood’ Brown, was getting shopped to Arizona.

Although, on the flip side of things, they were able to shore up the other safety position with who most regard as the best safety prospect in the draft, Kyle Hamilton at No. 14.

Not only that, but they also landed arguably the best interior offensive lineman in college football last season, Tyler Linderbaum.

Linderbaum isn’t just one of the most accomplished linemen from 2021, but he’s also one of the most accomplished linemen in college football history. The Iowa product spent the last three seasons with the Hawkeyes, starting in 40 consecutive games and earning multiple individual accolades in that time.

Including the Rimington Trophy in 2021, handed out to the best center in college football, and becoming a member of the first-team All-Big 10 twice. He was also handed out the highest grade among FBS centers in both 2020 and 2021 by Pro Football Focus. Rapidly emerging as one of the best pass and run blockers in the country since joining the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2018.

Although, his ability as a run blocker specifically is what’s garnered the most attention by scouts, especially after he secured an insane 96.6 run-blocking grade in 2021, via Pro Football Focus.

This also just so happens to be the Baltimore Ravens’ entire offense (particularly now with ‘Hollywood’ Brown out of the building).

The Baltimore Ravens probably could have gotten edge rusher Jermaine Johnson here as well, who surprisingly slid down towards the tail end of round one. Although, there’s no question that center was a major concern for the Ravens after losing Bradley Bozeman.

So, snagging a player in a position of need who thrives in the scheme and style of offense the Ravens are built around is incredible value.

Though this pick doesn’t come as a total shock either since Ravens GM Eric DeCosta has previously compared Linderbaum to a former Baltimore legend, Marshal Yanda. Who has even worked out with Linderbaum in the past as well.

The Ravens also tend to love their big, physical centers that can drive off the ball and combo block (i.e., Bozeman and Ryan Jensen). This is exactly what Linderbaum brings to the table.

Taking everything into account, this is an absolute smash home-run of a pick with Tyler Linderbaum at No. 25 for the Baltimore Ravens.

Grade: A+