Tyler Linderbaum Drafted by Ravens: Baltimore's Updated Depth Chart After Round 1

The Baltimore Ravens selected Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum with the No. 25 pick of the 2022 NFL draft.

The offensive lineman has a chance to become an immediate starter on his new team.

     

QB: Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley

RB: J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Nate McCrary

WR 1: Rashod Bateman

WR 2: Miles Boykin

WR 3: Jaylin Moore, Binjimen Victor, Tylan Wallace

TE: Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle, Josh Oliver, Tony Poljan

LT: Ronnie Stanley, Patrick Mekari, Jaryd Jones-Smith

LG: Tyre Phillips, Ben Powers

C: Tyler Linderbaum, Trystan Colon-Castillo, James Murray

RG: Kevin Zeitler, Ben Cleveland

RT: Morgan Moses, Ja'Wuan James

Depth chart info provided by Ourlads and Over the Cap.

     

Linderbaum is one of the most accomplished players in the class at any position, finishing the 2021 season as a first-team All-American and Rimington Trophy winner as the top center in the country. 

It came after earning second-team All-America honors in 2020, finishing as a finalist for the Rimington behind Landon Dickerson. 

The 6'2", 296-pound lineman began his collegiate career on the defensive side of the ball, entering school as a 3-star recruit at defensive tackle. After seeing minimal action as a freshman, he switched to offense and became an immediate starter at center, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten in his first year in the role.

Linderbaum totaled 33 consecutive starts at center, anchoring a team that reached No. 2 in the Associated Press poll in 2021.

The experience in the trenches should help him make an easy transition to the NFL. Though undersized, Bleacher Report's Scouting Department noted he has "elite grip strength, leg drive and hip mobility."

In its final big board, B/R ranked Linderbaum as the 12th best player in the class and the top interior offensive lineman. 

It should represent an immediate upgrade for the Ravens in the middle of the offensive line in 2022. The team lost starting center Bradley Bozeman to free agency, but seemingly found his replacement right away on Day 1 of the draft.

The pick comes after the Ravens traded away receiver Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals.

Baltimore will hope to provide extra protection for star quarterback Lamar Jackson, which could lead to more success after last year's 8-9 finish.