The 2022 NFL Draft was critical for the Baltimore Ravens. Their franchise is somewhat at a crossroads.
The Ravens didn’t make the playoffs for the first time with Lamar Jackson as their quarterback. It’s been three years since Baltimore had seen the postseason.
The 2022 NFL Draft is critical for the Ravens success.
“I think we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this Draft and the opportunity that it presents. We had a good plan,” Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said during his post-draft press conference.
This year’s draft could yield some players that will help the Ravens return to the postseason. The list of Ravens draft picks include the following:
(1/14) Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
(1/25) C Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
(2/45) David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan
(3/76) Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut (4/110) Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota (4/119) Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB, Alabama (4/128) TE Charlie Kolar, TE, Iowa State (4/130) Jordan Stout, P, Penn State
(4/139) Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina (4/141) Damarion Williams, CB, Houston (6/196) Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri
Let’s take a look at how various NFL Draft analysts graded Baltimore’s draft class this year:
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Talk about a class of value. This is an outstanding haul, even if we don’t consider that Baltimore used all six of its Round 4 picks. Of those fourth-rounders, tackle Daniel Faalele (110) and tight end Isaiah Likely (139) were my favorites. Likely could be a red zone weapon for Lamar Jackson. I also see sixth-rounder Tyler Badie (196) making the team because of his special teams ability. This team did a great job filling needs. Grade: A
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News
The Ravens had only first-round pick to start but ended up with three studs, with Hamitlon and Linderbaum set to have immediate starting impact and Ojabo set up to play off Odafe Oweh well. Jones and Faalele were ideal picks for both fronts. They also managed to add strong depth behind Mark Andrews and a replacement for fading Sam Koch. GM Eric DeCosta built up the volume well to address many positions and made a shrewd move in dealing wide receiver Marquise Brown. They even got some fresh injury contingency for J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. GRADE: A+
Matt Miller, ESPN
In the 2022 draft, the Ravens drafted three of my top 30 players and four in the top 40 overall. Each came at a position of need and represented an incredible value where they were selected. … The award-winning class continued on Day 3 with Minnesota offensive tackle Daniel Faalele (No. 58) being selected at No. 110 overall — one of the best values in the entire draft — and filling an immediate need at right tackle. Even in Round 4, selecting a high-upside cornerback in Alabama’s Jalyn Armour-Davis was a steal. In its first six selections, each player drafted by Baltimore was ranked as a top 100 player on my final rankings. That’s how you own a draft class. GRADE: A
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
With their six fourth-round picks (most in a single draft since 1970), the Ravens found a new massive right tackle in Faalele (similar to Orlando Brown), two corners to rebuild their depth, two tight ends (Kolar is a Mark Andrews clone), and Stout, a bit of a surprise pick given Sam Koch is still on the roster. Given the injuries Baltimore suffered at running back last year, getting the nimble and speedy Badie in the sixth round made sense. Grade: A
Chris Trapasso, CBS
Over the weekend, I tweeted “I want to marry this Ravens draft,” which should give you a sense how I felt about it. Soon thereafter, they drafted a punter in Round 4, which I didn’t love, but now that the draft is over, I still have deep adoration for what Baltimore did. Kyle Hamilton was my No. 1 prospect, Ojabo was a tremendous stash. Charlie Kolar gave me Mark Andrews vibes on film, and Daniel Faalele is an Orlando Brown type. Jalyn Armour-Davis has No. 1 CB abilities. But no receiver? GRADE: B+