Finally, the NFL Draft arrived. What a night it was. Last night, the annual NFL selection meeting got off to a tepid start. But after the Top 10, trades started flying and jaws started dropping.
Before we get to how the Ravens did, I have to take my hat off to the Giants, who I think had the best night of any team. Detroit and Baltimore were close behind, but the G-Men absolutely hit home runs with their two top picks. In my opinion, the strangest pick of the night came when the Steelers taking Kenny Pickett while Malik Willis was still available. I get the proximity and familiarity with Pickett, as he played his college ball at the University of Pittsburgh, but for me, Willis is better. I think the Ravens dodged a bullet there.
As predicted, that turbulence paved the way for the Ravens to land not one but two elite prospects. They took safety Kyle Hamilton at No. 14 overall. Then they traded back into the first round by way of sending Hollywood Brown and Pick 100 overall to Arizona for the 23rd overall pick. From there, they traded back two picks with the Bills, for picks 25 and 128 overall. With that second 1st rounder, Baltimore selected center Tyler Linderbaum.
First off, my initial reaction is that the Ravens got two talented players, even though they may not have been who most of the Ravens Flock wanted. But this is the NFL. You have to make your team better however you can. Fans were particularly upset with the departure of Brown, but I don’t mind it. Really good talent, but if he didn’t want to be here, then he should go.
General Manager Eric DeCosta told the media that Brown requested a trade recently. As a coach, I always seek to make the best of a situation, and in this case, the “best” looks like Brown and the Ravens parting ways. He didn’t want to be here anymore, and the Ravens got an extra 1st round pick.
Here’s a summary of trades the Ravens were involved with last night:
Sent: Hollywood Brown, 23, 100
Received: Tyler Linderbaum (Pick 25), 128, 130
To recap, Baltimore entered last night with 10 picks and ended last night with two players and nine picks. Here are Baltimore’s remaining selections:
- Round 2, 45 overall
- Round 3, 76 overall
- Round 4, 110 overall
- Round 4, 119 overall
- Round 4, 128 overall
- Round 4, 130 overall
- Round 4, 139 overall
- Round 4, 141 overall
- Round 6, 196 overall
Let’s dive in a bit more. Here’s a breakdown of the newest Baltimore Ravens.
Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame
GRADE: A+
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 220 pounds
2021 stats: 34 tackles, 7 passes defensed, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles
Analysis: Wow. There’s definitely an argument to be made for him being the best prospect in this draft. Personally, I had him ranked 6th in this draft. Any way you slice it, the Ravens got an absolute steal without having to trade up. Say what you want about their current safety group, but you don’t pass on an elite prospect just because you have two really good safeties. Besides, NFL defenses are migrating to a lot of 3-safety looks, so, true to form, the Ravens are seeking to stay ahead of the curve with this pick.
As for Hamilton’s on-field qualities, where do I begin? He’s a leader and an enforcer. Hamilton was a captain and two-time 1st team All-American at Notre Dame, which says a lot. He plays all over the field with impressive range and versatility. He can be the single high safety one play, drop into the box as a robber on the next, then blitz the A gap on the next. His vertical and lateral agility and speed are rare for someone his size. When he tackles, he does so with an intentional target in mind, i.e., he doesn’t just fly in. He’s also a good special teams player, which is something the Ravens always covet.
If the Ravens didn’t already have two starting safeties, fans would love this pick. But the fact that Marcus Williams and Chuck Clark are already marshaling the back end, some people think this pick wasn’t good. I’m here to tell you that’s false. This was a great pick.
Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa
GRADE: A
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 290 pounds
What was a main postseason concern from Ravens personnel and fans alike? Improving the offensive line. What did the team do last night? Improve the offensive line (by drafting a player from Iowa, no less).
It’s comical really, because the fans that bash the team for taking Hamilton when his position wasn’t one of need are the same fans who are bashing the team for taking the best center in the draft, who plays an actual position of need.
Sorry, I had to vent. Anyway…
Linderbaum is a top-tier prospect, at any position. Two months ago, I wrote this profile on him:
“What makes a successful offensive lineman within Baltimore’s program? To me, there are four core criteria that all prospects must have. The must be:
- Tough
- Durable
- Versatile
- Smart”
Linderbaum checks every one of those bullet points. He won the Rimington Award as the nation’s best center and, like Hamilton, was a Two-time 1st-team All-American. Here’s my take on him from that profile, which I stand by today:
“Why he’d be a good fit: Never backs down from a fight. Excels at moving in space, especially in zone schemes and on screen plays. A good all-around athlete than can step in and start on Day 1 in lieu of the impending departure of Bozeman. His play style at Iowa is very similar to the offensive style the Ravens deploy. Linderbaum is durable, which is crucial when playing in the AFC North.
Cool side note: Had a shot-put throw of 54 feet as a junior in high school, where he won a total of 13 letters in his career.
Bottom line: Linderbaum perfectly fills a position of need and would allow the Ravens to maintain draft leverage as they likely won’t have to trade up to get him.”
When drafting players, it’s my stance that you need to mold your team to compete and dominate within your division. Who hurt the Ravens most last year? Ja’Marr Chase. Enter Kyle Hamilton. Where was there a huge need at the end of the year (even with Bradley Bozeman still on the team at the time)? Offensive line. Enter Tyler Linderbaum.
Last night, the Ravens got two All-Pro caliber players, traded a player that didn’t want to be here, and still have nine picks to go in this draft. If you don’t see the value in that, I don’t know what to tell you.
Stay tuned for Monday morning, where I’ll have a full draft recap and projected starting lineups.
Remember, as good as last night was, the middle rounds are where the Ravens do their best work. Get ready!
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.