Most Improved Rosters Heading into the 2022 NFL Season

1. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens started the 2021 season on a tear, winning eight of their first 11 games. Lamar Jackson was well on his way to an MVP campaign, but as was the motto for the season in Baltimore, injuries put everything to a screeching halt. It all started in training camp when the team lost both JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards, their top-two running backs on the roster. This led to a revolving door of veterans in the running back room. Devonta Freeman, Latavius Murray and Le’Veon Bell, all well past their prime, saw starter reps at the position. For a run-first offense, this is what we like to call “less than ideal”.

After Lamar Jackson missed a week 11 game versus the Chicago Bears due to COVID, he returned for weeks 12 and 13. Unfortunately, the following week was the last we would see of Jackson in 2021. A bone bruise in his ankle, suffered early in the week 14 contest against the Cleveland Browns, was the culprit. Tyler Huntley tried his best to keep the team afloat, but Baltimore didn’t win another game, finishing at 8-9 and landing in last place in the AFC North for the first time in the Jon Harbaugh era.

The offseason began with the Ravens throwing a five-year, $70 million deal at former Saints’ safety, Marcus Williams. Williams is mostly remembered for his blunder that resulted in the “Miracle in Minneapolis”, but he has blossomed into a great player since then. In need of an offensive tackle, the Ravens quietly scooped up Morgan Moses. Moses figures to begin the season at right tackle, giving the Ravens two major upgrades at their biggest positions of need.

The 2022 NFL Draft came around, and general manager Eric DeCosta put on an absolute clinic. Kyle Hamilton, a defensive weapon that was consistently in “best player in the draft” conversations, fell to Baltimore at No. 14 overall. Hamilton is a jack-of-all-trades type of defender, primarily spending time at safety but possesses the versatility to play some linebacker as well. After so much uncertainty at the safety position in 2021, Williams and Hamilton give the team a tandem that they can built around for years to come.

The Ravens acquired another first-round pick when they traded away Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to the Arizona Cardinals. With this pick, they selected one of the better center prospects to come through college in the past couple decades. Tyler Linderbaum out of Iowa will start at center instantly, and will quickly enter the conversation for best at the position in the NFL. He is as athletic as they come and should be able to get to the second level with ease.

The next pick for the Ravens came at No. 45 overall where they took Michigan pass rusher, David Ojabo. Ojabo was a lock to go in the top half of round one before he tore his Achilles during the Michigan Pro-Day. It is the most Baltimore Ravens move ever to snag Ojabo so late. He may not see the field this upcoming season, but with his former high school teammate Odafe Oweh, they will be terrorizing backfields together for the next decade.

The defense is going to be improved in 2022 after the additions of Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton at safety, and the offensive line should take a massive jump when Ronnie Stanley returns to his perch at left tackle. Tyler Linderbaum and Morgan Moses provide upgrades from 2021, as well. Losing Hollywood Brown hurts, but Rashod Bateman is ready to assume the role of No. 1 wide receiver in the offense. Add in healthy running backs, and Mark Andrews, and it’s impossible to not get excited. Lamar Jackson must remain healthy, but entering the final season of his rookie deal, Jackson will be looking to put together another MVP season. Let’s hope the football injury gods leave the Ravens alone this season.