By far, offensive line is the position on the Ravens that needs the most improvement this off season. Lamar Jackson is the team’s best player, and the franchise has clearly committed to a run-first offensive attack. To best capitalize on that potential, Baltimore needs to ensure their offensive line is as complete as possible.
The best -case scenario is that Ronnie Stanley returns to full strength and Bradley Bozeman returns. Both of those scenarios are far from certain. Of course, all Ravens fans are rooting for them to come true, but they also know how rough this game (and business) is.
It’s quite possible the Bengals make a big push for Bozeman, as their offensive line is the one area that drastically kept them from being even better in 2021. The Ravens current cap space is approximately $8.7 million. The Bengals current cap space is approximately $49.4 million. Granted, the Bengals aren’t usually big spenders, but that just underscores the fragility of Baltimore’s pursuit to retain Bozeman.
As a matter of fact, the Ravens’ current cap space is roughly $8.7 million, which is below the league average of $13.4 million. Bozeman’s success notwithstanding, the Ravens are at a financially competitive disadvantage when it comes to retaining players like Bozeman.
Since that’s the case, it’s unlikely the Ravens would forego the known commodity (Bozeman) to acquire a similar player in free agency (which could be even costlier). Therefore, it seems like the overwhelming way Baltimore revamps their offensive front is through the draft.
This is where Ravens fans can have hope. This draft is deep at offensive line, especially at offensive tackle. There are also good prospects at guard, but the Ravens seem to have some solid players there.
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
Given the style of offense the Ravens run, the division they play in, and the duration for which they plan on playing, any draft prospect must meet a high bar to be considered for selection. I think the following two players do just that.
NFL Draft Player Profile: Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 290 pounds
Key traits: Rimington Trophy winner (nation’s best center). Two-time 1st team All-American. Can make a variety of blocks. Stones bull rushes well. Able to support pass rush against almost any front. You can tell he’s smart and has a good internal “clock.” Doesn’t waste a lot of time. When he gets his hands on you, he will try to drive you into the ground. He has to battle to win his blocks, but he often wins those battles.
Ideal position: Center
Potential draft spot: Round 1, Pick 14
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.
NFL Draft Player Profile: Charles Cross, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 310 pounds
Key traits: Excellent spatial awareness. Whether it’s run or pass blocking, Cross stays in proper relation to his teammates, preventing the quarterback from being exposed. A mauler in the screen game/when on the move. His hands seem to shoot early at times, but when engaged, his hands are locked in and positioned well. Against stunts and spin moves, Cross doesn’t seem to be phased. He played mostly left tackle for the Bulldogs, which will increase his draft stock. Overall, he’s really solid. It’s hard to find flaws in his game, even when going against top pass rushers and pass rush schemes of the SEC West.
Ideal position: Starting right tackle
Potential draft spot: Round 1, Pick 14
Why he’d be a good fit: Cross’ technique and mental prowess is impressive, especially considering he rarely needs help to execute a block. He’s very fluid when releasing on screen passes or perimeter runs. As a Raven, his skillset would allow Baltimore to kind of reset from last year and pour into what they do well, as opposed to needing to keep tight ends in the protection or other offensive lineman playing out of position.
Cool side note: Will be only 21 years and 5 months old on draft night.
Bottom line: By drafting Cross, Baltimore can fill the hole left by the trading of Orlando Brown, Jr.
There’s a vast amount of defensive talent at positions which the Ravens need in this draft. Those positions, in my opinion, are cornerback, edge rusher, and defensive lineman. I wouldn’t say safety and linebacker are needs, but an argument can be made to add one of each as well, especially given how many picks Baltimore has in their possession.
The following two players will likely be selected multiple rounds apart, but both offer technical and physical tools that will help the Ravens defense on Day 1. Let’s not forget, too, how special teams ability factors into Baltimore’s scouting decisions. It may seem like an afterthought to us, but I assure you the Ravens view a player’s ability to contribute on special teams as an important piece of the puzzle. In 2021, Baltimore ranked 1st in special teams and in 2020, they ranked 2nd. Maintaining that excellence is surely on the minds of scouts and coaches.
Here are two players I think will help make the Ravens a better team right away.
NFL Draft Player Profile: DeMarvin Leal, Defensive Lineman, Texas A&M
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 290 pounds
2021 stats: 58 tackles, 12.5 tfl, 8.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble
Key traits: Elite physical traits. 1st team All-American. Tremendous bend and impressive motor for someone his size. Uses hands actively and strategically to disengage blocks. He can also drive blockers back as well. Played along the Aggies defensive line, and even stood up as an edge defender in certain situations. Shows signs of being a perennial Pro Bowler.
Ideal position: Defensive end (5 technique) in a 3-4 base defense
Potential draft spot: Round 1, Pick 14
Why he’d be a good fit: Leal’s size, production, and passion all fit what the Ravens do and what they’re looking for. Even if Calais Campbell returns to Baltimore, taking Leal (if he’s available) would be a smart move. Putting him next to former Aggie Justin Madubuike would create a young, dynamic, forceful defensive front that could be the catalyst for a completely re-vamped Ravens defense in 2022 and beyond.
Leal’s movement skills and demeanor would be the type of qualities that, although he’s young, would attract others to follow his lead. And if you know one thing about the Ravens, they pride themselves on cultivating strong leaders.
Cool side note: Looks and plays like 6-time Pro Bowler and former 1st round pick Gerald McCoy.
Bottom line: He may be the best prospect that’s in the Ravens’ range that most fans don’t know much about.
NFL Draft Player Profile: Jalyn Armour-Davis, Cornerback, Alabama
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 192 pounds
2021 stats: 32 tackles, 4 passes defensed, 3 interceptions
Key traits: Good feet, rarely outside his frame. Comfortable in press, though sometimes he’s too grabby. Always competes for the football. Quick reactions to sudden breaks. Good tackler. Inexperienced, but played well when he got time at Alabama. Speed to run with receivers on deep balls. Still learning but showing progress.
Ideal position: Sub package cornerback
Potential draft spot: Round 5
Why he’d be a good fit: While he doesn’t project as an instant starter, Armour-Davis could very well be an important backup for a team that showed how important it is to have quality reserves at that position. He doesn’t seem to be bound to either perimeter or slot corner, but could contribute at both spots. When he played close to the line, he didn’t hesitate to mix it up. That physicality is always welcomed on a Ravens defense.
Cool side note: Armour-Davis’ high school, St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile, Alabama, won three 5A state titles during his time there.
Bottom line: This would be a low-risk selection that could yield dividends for the Ravens, especially with the potentially imminent departures of Marcus Peters and Jimmy Smith.
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.