The Ravens always expect their rookies to push for starting jobs.
That’s the nature of the business.
However, this year will be especially critical for these first-year players to make an impact.
The Ravens need some of these players to start, while others will have to provide critical depth and work their way into the rotation.
It’s not an easy task because there is a huge leap from playing college football to the NFL.
“It’s a steep learning curve in many ways,” coach John Harbaugh said “In other ways, you just tell them, ‘It’s still football. Let’s not overthink it a little bit.’ It’s still 100 yards by 53-and-a-third. There are still 11 on each side. The hashes are different. Some of the receiver splits and the DBs messed up some of their leverages because they just kind of got out of whack on the hashes. So, that’s kind of part of it.
“But it’s a pretty steep learning curve in terms of volume. There are very few teams out there in college football, offense, defense or special teams, they all do all the things you see in pro football, but very few do all the things that a team will do in pro football. So, there’s … We say they’re drinking from the firehose, a little bit, but we want them to drink from the firehose.”
The #RavensFlock "rookie tax" has been quite steep under John Harbaugh, as fans well know. But @footballman58 says it will likely be light in '22, as the rookies need to contribute (not on special teams) right away. https://t.co/BQ2D2c4JSU
— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) May 20, 2022
First-round picks, safety Kyle Hamilton and center Tyler Linderbaum are already poised to make plays as rookies. Hamilton recently wore the green dot and Ravens rookie camp and will compete with Chuck Clark for the starting job at strong safety.
Whether or not he earns the starting spot, the Ravens will find ways to get Hamilton on the field with free safety Marcus Williams.
“We’re going to run multiple personnel groups, and three safeties have been a big part of what we like to do,” Harbaugh said. “So, yes, we’ve got three really good safeties right now. We can play the extra safety at [the] nickel [position], we can play safety at [the] dime [position].
“We can play them at [the] MIKE [position]. All of those guys are going to be on the field, for sure.”
Linderbaum is expected to start at center. This will give the Ravens flexibility to keep Pat Mekari and tackle or guard, which will be key for depth. The Ravens have dealt with several injuries on the offensive line over the past couple of seasons.
“That’s the thing – when you add a really good player, a top player into the top of the depth chart – the whole depth chart just kind of filters out in a great way,” coach John Harbaugh said. “Pat Mekari still could find his way into the starting lineup. There’s no doubt about it. He’s a really good player. I’m assuming Tyler is going to come in and start at center – for sure, obviously. We’ll see how Ronnie [Stanley] comes back, but all signs point in the right direction. We’ve got a heck of a right tackle, we think, maybe two.
“We’ve got two veteran tackles we brought in here. There’s some depth already, and I think we may add another offensive lineman into the mix.”
Defensive tackle Travis Jones, a third-round pick, is widely regarded as one of the steals of the draft and has the ability to push for a starting job or play his way into the rotation.
Tight ends Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely, a pair of fourth-round picks, will battle for the third spot at tight end behind Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle. However, Harbaugh has not ruled out carrying four tight ends.
Offensive tackle Daniel Faalele, and cornerbacks Jalyn Armour-Davis and Demarion Williams should be able to provide depth at their respective positions.
Outside linebacker David Ojabo, a second-round pick, is recovering from an Achilles injury, but he has the talent to be a solid playmaker in the NFL.
Running back Tyler Badie will compete for the third running back behind J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, but faces stern competition from Mike Davis Justice Hill, Ty’Son Williams and Nate McCrary.
Jordan Stout, another fourth-rounder, is expected to be the starting punter in place of Sam Koch, who recently retired but is staying on as a consultant.
“I’m just excited to work with Jordan,” Koch said. “We are going to try to make him the next best punter of the Ravens and do everything we can to make him the best punter in the league. So, I look forward to this opportunity. We’ve spoken. We’ve talked. We’ve already worked on some punting and holding aspects of his game.”
