Momentum Builds for Ravens To Take Linderbaum With 14th Pick
There is growing momentum among the draft experts that the Ravens will take Iowa's Tyler Linderbaum to fill a hole at center.
Both ESPN analysts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper contend the Ravens will select Linderbaum with the 14th overall pick.
Bradley Bozeman, who started at center last season for Baltimore, signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent.
"Tackle is the big question mark on the offensive line, with Ronnie Stanley missing 26 regular-season games over the past two years," McShay wrote. "Maybe Northern Iowa's Trevor Penning is the pick? I instead opted for Linderbaum, who is one of the best 15 players in the class. ... Linderbaum anchors well and is effective as a combo blocker at the second level. He'd help a Baltimore front that allowed 57 sacks last season (second most)."
Linderbaum, 6-foot-3, 291 pounds, was a two-time all-Big Ten first-team selection, a unanimous All-American, Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and the Rimington Trophy winner, which is awarded to the nation's top center.
Linderbaum began his career at defensive tackle but he made the transition to center by the end of his freshman season. Linderbaum is durable and played 908 of Iowa’s 934 snaps in 2021 and was only removed during blowout wins.
Some mock drafts have Linderbaum being selected as high as No. 7 by the New York Giants.
"Linderbaum is pro-ready right now — he already has great technique and is already a great run and pass blocker. This one makes a ton of sense," Kiper wrote.
"Barring significant injuries again, Baltimore is well-positioned for another playoff run in 2022. It needs to keep Lamar Jackson clean in the pocket, and Linderbaum will certainly help there."
