The Ravens announced Thursday that they have signed rookie center Tyler Linderbaum, his second first-rounder in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Linderbaum is the third Ravens draft pick to sign his rookie deal, joining Tyler Baddie in the sixth round and defensive tackle Travis Jones in the third round. Fellow first-round pick Kyle Hamilton, a safety, is one of eight players who have yet to finalize their rookie deals, including outside linebacker David Ozabo, offensive tackle Daniel Falley, cornerback Jalin Armor-Davis, punter Jordan Includes stout, tight end Charlie Kolar. and Isaiah Chance and cornerback Damarian Williams.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but according to the league’s collective bargaining agreement, players drawn in the first round receive four-year contracts, with a team option for a fifth season. The options for the fifth year should be exercised after the third year of the transaction.
After the Ravens sent wide receiver Marquis “Hollywood” Brown to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a first-round pick, he traded to the Buffalo Bills and chose Linderbaum No. 25 overall. According to Spottrack, the Iowa center’s rookie deal is worth an estimated $13.2 million with a $6.8 million signing bonus, and will count towards a $2.4 million salary cap for 2022.
The 6-foot-2, 296-pound Linderbaum is expected to take over as the starting center this season after Bradley Bozeman signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent this offseason. Given the prospect of a top center in the draft and the consensus All-American, Linderbaum is the first center selected in the first round by the Ravens in franchise history.
“You’re talking about one of the best technicians – strong, physical, tough, fast-paced,” general manager Eric DeCosta said after the first round in late April. “Someone said it on TV, I guess: If he was an inch taller and his arms were half an inch longer, he’d be in the top five, and believe me. He’s probably one of the better centers we’ve seen taller.” Have seen in time. So it fulfilled a huge need for us.”
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