The 2022 NFL draft is now in the books and I begin my breakdown of each team's IDP draft class. Last week I started with the Arizona Cardinals and now I move to the Baltimore Ravens where I look at who they drafted and the potential impact these rookies can have. The Ravens had some holes to fill on defense and they absolutely smashed this draft. I will cover every IDP drafted from the top overall pick to Mr irrelevant.
Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame (1st Round 14th Pick)
As I mentioned, the Ravens smashed this draft and they wasted no time starting in the first round where they filled a need and took the BPA (best player available) on the board. Getting Kyle Hamilton with the 14th overall pick may wind up being one of the biggest steals of the entire 2022 NFL draft. He suffered an injury that likely caused him to drop a bit in the draft, but he’s a legit top-five pick. Hamilton was a 2021 All-American despite the injury. I had him rated as my top overall IDP heading into the draft and he couldn’t have landed in a better spot with Baltimore. From his physical play to his ability to cover (8 INTs & 16 PNUs), how Hamilton will be used will be interesting, but make no mistake he has All-Pro qualities and will be elite at whatever is asked of him.
David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan (2nd Round, 45th Pick)
If the Ravens didn’t get a steal with Hamilton, they for sure got it with David Ojabo, who should have been a 1st round selection. However, he tore his Achilles late in the draft process at his pro day. While that’s unfortunate and his one-year-only production caused him to slide in the draft, everything that teams needed to see from him is on tape and measured. The Ravens weren’t afraid of the injury and knew that they couldn’t pass up on his potential. They will have to be patient and wait for any return on their investment in him. While college teammate, Aidan Hutchinson, attracted all the attention, Ojabo was no slouch by any means. He finished 8th in the Big-10 in TFLs (12), 2nd in sacks (11), and 1st in forced fumbles (5). When he gets healthy, Baltimore has found a player that they can build around.
Travis Jones, DT, UConn (3rd Round 76th Pick)
The Ravens continued to slay this draft here in the third round. After solidifying the back end of their secondary and outside pass rush, the Ravens turned their attention to the interior defensive line. With some of the bigger draft names coming off of the board early, the Ravens got a player, Travis Jones from UConn, who quickly become one of the fastest risers in this draft. The Ravens wanted and needed a player that they could plug in at the nose tackle position, who could anchor and play gap control. At 6’4”/325 lbs Jones has the size, strength, and power to do just that. While big interior players aren’t known for their pass rush abilities, Jones did produce 8½ career sacks and 19 TFLs. Those numbers would have been even better, had UConn not set out the 2020 season due to covid-19. It’s clear that Baltimore wants to get back to dominating up front defensively.
Jaylen Armour-Davis, CB, Alabama (4th Round 119th Pick)
The Ravens continued to address their defense here in the fourth round and again look to improve their secondary. This time they looked to add some young depth at the cornerback position, as they selected Jaylen Armour-Davis from Alabama. A former four-star recruit for St Paul’s Episcopal High School in Alabama, where he helped lead them to three state titles. He suffered a knee injury prior to his freshman year and had to redshirt. After the injury, he got buried on the depth chart but got his chance as a junior, where he started eleven games for the Crimson Tide. Armour-Davis would record 32 total tackles and tie for the team lead in interceptions with three. With only one year of production, there are some concerns about what he can be, but the potential athletically is there. An excellent project player with upside that the Ravens can develop for the future.
Damarion Williams, CB, Houston (4th Round 141st Pick)
Baltimore goes back to the defensive back pool here and gets a projected slot corner in Houston’s Damarion Williams. An extremely tough and reliable player who doesn’t lack for confidence, and who possesses a good football IQ and mentality. His long speed isn’t the best (4.53 40-yd) but he is quick and twitchy. When throwing to a spot, opposing QBs need to be cautious as he does a really good job of planting and driving off his backpedal. A solid open-field tackler who finished in the top ten of the AAC in 2019 (54) and 2021(53) in solo tackles. He is active and aggressive when the ball is in the air and does a good job of making impact plays (3 INTs & 20 PBUs). As I mentioned the long speed will be a concern and while he’s one tough dude, he’s a bit undersized at 5’10”/182 lbs. Big physical receivers with speed can really eat him up. They’ll start him out as a depth piece and special teams piece, then see how he develops and how they can use him in the future
Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to hit me up with any questions, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy.
