The 2022 NFL Draft has officially kicked off, and the Baltimore Ravens have made their first selection. As the seven rounds progress and the team makes all of their picks, we will provide a live draft grade and analysis for each of the Ravens’ selections. How do these new prospects fit with the roster, what kind of impact will they have on the team, and what do the team’s needs look like now that the draft is complete?
Make sure to continue to check back as the 2022 NFL Draft continues for live Baltimore Ravens Draft grades and analysis.
Baltimore Ravens grades for 2022 NFL Draft
What are the Ravens’ grades for their selections in the 2022 NFL Draft as they look to address their main needs this offseason?
Round 1, Pick 14: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The rich get richer. With the 14th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens have selected Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. The Ravens played the board perfectly here, sitting and letting a top talent fall to them. Especially after losing DeShon Elliott to the Detroit Lions in free agency, the Ravens need another safety alongside Marcus Williams. Hamilton can be that – and more.
Much was made of Hamilton’s slower-than-expected 40-yard dash time, but Hamilton can be a perfect fit in Baltimore. Williams is already there to be the rangy single-high safety in Cover 1 looks. Hamilton is made to lurk in the box, slot, and play alongside Williams in two-high with his size, explosiveness, instincts, and physicality. Hamilton is a supremely versatile defensive back, and if any team knows how to use this kind of player, it’s Baltimore.
Grade: A+
Round 1, Pick 25: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
There were rumblings ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft that Tyler Linderbaum might fall out of Round 1. The Baltimore Ravens ensured that didn’t happen. They ended up taking Linderbaum at 25th overall, making him the first prospect off the board at his position. That was always likely, as Linderbaum is one of the best offensive line prospects in the class.
On the surface, center doesn’t seem like a massive need for the Ravens. But penciled in right now is Patrick Mekari, who has the versatility to play all across the line. The addition of Linderbaum not only gives the Ravens an athletic, high-IQ center with decade-long starting potential, but it also allows Mekari to move across the line if needed. For the maintenance of the most important position group, this is a great pick.
Grade: A-
Round 2, Pick 45: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
With a first round like the Ravens had, they can afford to invest in a high-upside player who might not be ready right away. That’s the philosophy here at 45th overall, as the Baltimore Ravens select David Ojabo, edge rusher out of Michigan.
Ojabo is a fantastic fit in the Ravens’ defense, which is now coached by Ojabo’s defensive coordinator from Michigan, Mike Macdonald. The former Wolverine won’t have immediate availability after tearing his Achilles at his pro day. But as long as he makes a full recovery, he and Odafe Oweh can form a nightmare EDGE tandem. Ojabo is explosive, twitchy, agile, and has good power capacity – and his pass-rushing arsenal noticeably improved over the course of 2021.
Grade: A
Round 3, Pick 76: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
Just give the Ravens the crown for the 2022 NFL Draft now. They’ve got this thing wrapped up. The Ravens were already winners coming out of Round 1, selecting Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum at the 14th and 25th picks, respectively. Now, they’ve scored one of the biggest steals of Day 2 in UConn defensive tackle Travis Jones.
Jones is a picture-perfect fit in Baltimore’s hybrid-front scheme. Jones is a massive defender at 6’4”, 325 pounds, with arms over 34” long. He’s also a tremendous athlete for his size, and it shows on tape. Jones is explosive and powerful off the snap, with the lateral agility and violent hands to club linemen aside and surge into the pocket. Jones also has the strength and anchor to hold up in run defense. For Baltimore, he provides both disruptive ability and sturdiness at 0 and 1-tech. He can be the final piece to a devastating defensive front.
Grade: A+
Round 4, Pick 110: Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
Having added Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum on Thursday, the Baltimore Ravens continue to build the offensive line for Lamar Jackson. With Morgan Moses manning right tackle, Daniel Faalele lands in a spot where he’ll have the time to develop the skill set and focus on maintaining the conditioning that has been a question mark of his draft profile. The gargantuan offensive tackle is the epitome of a man mountain, with height, size, and length to be a difficult proposition to navigate around or through. Despite his size, he possesses some impressive relative speed and has violence in his punch.
Grade: B
Round 4, Pick 119: Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB, Alabama
In the 2018 NFL Draft, at 118th overall, the Ravens selected an Alabama cornerback who would go on to be a productive starting cornerback. That cornerback was Anthony Averett. This year, just one pick later, they may have embarked on a similar path. At 119th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Ravens selected Crimson Tide CB Jalyn Armour-Davis.
Armour-Davis is still trending up on his developmental trajectory. He can still improve as a playmaker when the ball comes his way, and he’s still learning to trust his instincts. But Armour-Davis is a tremendous size/speed athlete with the fluidity and burst to match receivers off the line. He also has great awareness and technique, and he uses methodical footwork to minimize space and stick close to pass catchers. Armour-Davis is committed to his craft, and he has the talent to make this pick more than worth it.
Grade: A
Round 4, Pick 128: Charlie Kolar, TE, Iowa State
The Baltimore Ravens, with their plethora of mid-round picks, have been a difficult team to produce mock drafts for. After an impressive draft class to date, they snag a big-bodied pass catcher in Charlie Kolar with the 128th overall pick. With impressive college production, a lot of people have been high on Kolar, especially with his ability to provide a red-zone threat. He tested a lot better than you’d expect based on his tape, which has elevated his draft stock somewhat late in the process. More of a passing threat than a blocker, this feels like a bit of a reach for the Ravens.
Grade: C+
Round 4, Pick 130: Jordan Stout, P/K, Penn State
Dubbed the “Mr. Do It All” of the 2022 NFL Draft, Jordan Stout is more than just a punter. With Justin Tucker on the roster, he’s unlikely to have to put his devastating leg into action as a FG kicker. Nonetheless, knowing that he can gives Stout impressive positional versatility.
As a punter, Stout possesses an exceptional and consistent leg, delivers precision punts, and, importantly at the NFL level, has the best hang time of any punt prospect in the class. Throw in his ability to deliver an accurate pass on fakes, and Stout may also be the QB1 of this class. Although the Ravens have Sam Koch on their roster, Stout is going to be a 10-15 year player in the NFL.
Grade: A+
Round 4, Pick 139: Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina
Just when you think the Ravens’ 2022 NFL Draft is reaching new heights, it goes even higher. The Ravens won the first two days of the draft with four stellar selections, and they’re off to a fast start in Round 4. At 139th overall, Isaiah Likely is an excellent value pick. He was in the top 100 on more than one PFN Draft Analyst Big Board. Likely brings great functional athleticism and receiving upside. He can improve his hand technique at times, as well as refine his route running. But he’s a tough, versatile player who also profiles as an excellent blocker in Baltimore’s scheme.
Grade: A
Round 4, Pick 141: Damarion Williams, CB, Houston
This is a little high for Damarion Williams, especially considering some of the physical freaks that are still on the board at cornerback. However, Williams feels like the type of player that the Ravens can take and turn into a stud on the defensive side of the ball. Williams is noticeably undersized at 5’10”, 182 pounds, with arms under 30” long. But Williams is a versatile, tenacious defender who can play in the slot or on the boundary. He has good route recognition and hits hard when he comes downhill. He’s more than willing to engage larger receivers and dislodge passes with force.
Grade: A-
Round 6, Pick 196: Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri
Given their injury issues last season, it makes sense for the Baltimore Ravens to use the latest selection in their plethora of picks to add to their running back room. It makes even more sense when a player of Tyler Badie’s caliber is still on the board. The Missouri rusher has a combination of high-end traits at the RB position, including excellent lateral agility, change of direction, and both short- and long-area speed. His size and shorter arms may limit his ceiling, but the Ravens make a great move here with Badie.
Grade: B+
What were the Ravens’ biggest needs entering the draft?
- C, CB, DT, EDGE, WR
The Ravens are a team with needs dotted all over their roster. Their run-heavy nature means they can always look to reinforce their offensive line. Finding a long-term center for Lamar Jackson to take snaps from has to be a priority heading into 2022.
On defense, the needs are on both the back and front end. Injuries ravaged the cornerback position last year. In Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, they have the top-end talent to start in 2022, but they certainly need more depth. The situation is similar upfront at both defensive tackle and on the outside. There is solid talent on the roster, but the depth is a major concern in 2022.