2022 NFL Draft: Offensive line dominates top five in 2022 NFL Mock Draft
By Kyle Edmond
14. Baltimore Ravens: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
CB. Ahmad Gardner. 14. player. Pick Analysis. Cincinnati. 26. Scouting Report
The Baltimore Ravens fell well short of expectations during the 2021 season. Injuries derailed their plan, but poor play in certain aspects of the game hurt their chances just the same.
The Ravens finished the 2021 season ranked 28th in interceptions with just nine. They also gave up the most passing yards of any team in the NFL and tied for the third-most passing touchdowns allowed. It goes without saying that the secondary in Baltimore needs upgraded. That’s the recipe in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
The salt in the wound is that not only was Baltimore’s secondary not great in 2021, but they are also going to lose pieces. Both Jimmy Smith and Anthony Averett are set to become free agents. The upside is both Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters should be back healthy in 2022.
Even with Humphrey and Peters back, the Ravens are going to need more depth here and adding Ahmad Gardner will do more than just add depth. While Gardner’s name became well known during the impressive Cincinnati run this year, he’s been putting up comparable stats for the duration of his collegiate career.
Gardner snagged three interceptions in each of his three seasons with the Bearcats. He had six passes defended each of his first two seasons with four in 2021. Even his tackles were relatively close.
Gardner is just a consistent all-around player. Being able to learn from Humphrey and Peters will give him a bright future in Baltimore.