Baltimore Ravens mock draft: 2022 NFL Draft projections and analysis

The Baltimore Ravens entered the 2022 offseason with one major objective in mind. This was to reach an agreement to extend Lamar Jackson, keeping him around for the foreseeable future. They don’t appear to have made up any ground at the negotiation table, but the Ravens have done a good job addressing other internal roster needs.

Adding Morgan Moses, Michael Pierce, and Marcus Williams are all important additions. Yet, after losing Bradley Bozeman in free agency, having Za’Darius Smith back out of a deal to add to their group of edge rushers, in addition to not bringing back cornerback Jimmy Smith, the Ravens still have their fair share of roster needs.

This is where the 2022 NFL Draft comes in. Starting off with a total of 10 selections, with their first coming at pick No. 14, general manager Eric DeCosta has the team in a good position to improve yet this offseason. Here are the rest of the Ravens’ selections for the 2022 Draft.

2022 Baltimore Ravens draft picks

1st round: 14th overall
2nd round: 45th overall
3rd round: 76th overall, 100th overall
4th round: 110th overall, 119th overall, 128th overall, 139th overall, 141st overall
6th round: 196th overall

Let’s dive into our 2022 Baltimore Ravens mock draft. Past mocks on this space have played it straight, selecting exactly where the Ravens do. This time we’re playing around in the sand a bit more, using their excess capital found in the fourth round to trade around.

Baltimore Ravens mock draft: Building a Super Bowl roster

As we briefly touched on earlier, the Ravens have an assortment of team needs as we head into April. Finding a long-term center has to be considered, but only if the draft board falls according to plan. Other areas of improvement include addressing an aging group of pass-rushers and interior linemen. Yet, after allowing more passing yards per game than any other NFL team in 2021, adding another cornerback has to at least be considered.

In the end, this places the Ravens in an ideal scenario heading into the 2022 player selection process. With one center who has a first-round grade in a draft class loaded with defensive talent, it depends who’s available as always, but the Ravens can go with the best player available. Whether that’s filling out the front seven with another linebacker, picking up a lineman on either side of the ball, or another cornerback will be up to the front office.

1st round, 14th overall: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue

In a dream world, Jordan Davis will fall to pick No. 14. Or, maybe that’s where the Ravens get aggressive to package some of their fourth-round picks, along with pick No. 12 to move up the board if he’s their top target.

If Davis is gone, or if the Ravens don’t have the athletic freak high on their draft board, Purdue’s George Karlaftis could be the next best option.

The Greek native is a two-time member of the All-Big Ten second team and racked up 7.5 sacks even as a freshman. Karlaftis projects to be a power-rusher who makes just as much of an impact disrupting the rushing game as he does when pinning his ears back in pursuit of quarterbacks. Karlaftis has the type of strong motor fans in Baltimore will learn to love.

2nd round, 45th overall: Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA

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Having arguably two No. 1 cornerbacks with playmakers such as Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters places the Ravens on high ground, but after losing Jimmy Smith and Tavon Young, there’s a strong need to add depth at the position. Last season should have been the strongest indicator of this weakness after Peters missed the entire season and with Humphrey sitting out five games due to injury as well. We all saw just how bad the pass defense was a season ago, but adding Marcus Williams and changing defensive coordinators likely won’t be enough to solve this problem.

Instead, the Ravens could look to take advantage of a strong CB draft class to add youth at the position. One potential selection in the second round could be NFL Draft Combine star Tariq Woolen if he makes it that far.

Woolen is one of the fastest players in the incoming draft class, and he actually is one of the tallest cornerbacks too at 6-foot-4. It’s an extremely rare blend of size and speed, that you rarely see. The other interesting part is that Woolen isn’t afraid to get physical, sometimes seeking contact. He’s a bit inexperienced at his position, having played just two years as a corner, but his wide receiver background has given him plus ball skills. He’d be a steal in the second round.

3rd round, 76th overall: Cole Strange, G/C, Chattanooga

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The Ravens need to improve in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Chattanooga’s Cole Strange can help their offense continue to grow from Day One. A versatile lineman who started at tackle, guard and center in college, Strange has the experience to be an immediate starter, but he likely projects along the interior.

Strange is a nasty trenchman who plays through the whistle, giving each line he pairs up with a certain tenacity every time he steps on the field. A stronger run-blocker than pass-rusher, Strange is a natural fit in Baltimore.

*3rd round, 95th overall: Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota

NFL: Scouting Combine — Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Another way to add some nastiness to the Baltimore offensive line is by taking the largest player in the incoming draft class, Minnesota’s Daniel Faalele to play offensive tackle. Faalele measures 6-foot-9, 380 pounds and brings a rugby background from Australia to the states.

Despite his massive frame, Faalele has surprisingly good feet and actually is a plus in pass protection. Sure, some smaller, Gumby-looking dudes might be able to get the bend on him, but no one will outmuscle this genetic monster.

To make this pick, we traded up with the Cincinnati Bengals, offering picks 100, and 141 for the 95th selection, taking advantage of the extra Day 3 picks the Ravens currently have.

Baltimore Ravens Day 3 selections

You thought we were done? Not yet. The Ravens have a full 53-man roster they need to fill. With that many of the players taken in the later rounds can immediately step into depth or backup roles, and some could even compete for some playing time from the jump. Here we address the less pressing Ravens team needs for 2022.