Ravens shore up OL, take Tyler Linderbaum at No. 25

The Baltimore Ravens selected Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, No. 25 overall.

Baltimore traded down to the 25th selection after a deal with the Buffalo Bills. The Ravens also received a fourth-rounder (No. 130) from the Bills.

The Iowa product was widely regarded as the top center in the 2022 class. He will help shore up a Baltimore offensive line that lost Bradley Bozeman to the Carolina Panthers in free agency. Bozeman started 16 games at center for the Ravens last season.

Linderbaum was twice named First-Team All-Big Ten and also received the Dave Rimington Trophy last season, awarded to college football's best center.

Scouting profile: Tyler Linderbaum

One of the safer picks in this draft, Linderbaum likely has a long career of quality play ahead of him. The Iowa product is an athletic, technically sound center who excels on the move, whether that's sliding laterally to wall off a defender, executing perfect combo blocks and climbing to the second level, or getting out in space in the screen game. Linderbaum's almost always in perfect position, and his outstanding hand usage helps compensate for a relative lack of length. The most powerful opponents could present a challenge on certain assignments due to his size, but his movement skills and intelligence will win out more often than not in the right system.