NFL Draft 2022: 5 teams that won the first round

3. Baltimore Ravens

It was a very un-Raven like year in Baltimore this past season. John Harbaugh’s club had reached the playoffs three consecutive years entering 2021. And after the club jumped out to an 8-3 start, the Ravens looked like they would make it four straight appearances in the postseason.

But injuries were a major factor throughout the year and even during the summer. That’s when the team lost a slew of running backs and cornerback Marcus Peters. During the season, star cornerback Marlon Humphrey went down. And who would have ever guessed that Don Martindale’s defensive unit would allow the most passing yards in the league and give up 31 scores through the air.

Down the stretch, the team lost its share of nail-biters. All told, Harbaugh’s squad lost its last six games and finished last in the AFC North. On Thursday night, the team dealt wide receiver Marquise Brown. And when the dust cleared in Las Vegas, the Ravens walked away with a pair of first-round picks that could wind up in the starting lineup come September.

With the additions of safety Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame) and imposing center Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa), the Ravens shore up a pair of problem areas. The latter should bolster an offensive front that will have some new faces in 2022.