OBJ vs. OL: Ravens Most Important Non-QB Named

The Baltimore Ravens landed the top center in the 2022 NFL Draft when they selected Tyler Linderbaum at No. 25 overall, and that move paid immediate dividends.

The former Iowa Hawkeye wasn't just good as a rookie, but one of the best centers in the league. He played every offensive snap for the Ravens and earned a grade of 74.7, being particularly strong in run blocking. After a great debut season, Linderbaum earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. 

Heading into Year 2, Linderbaum figures to be an even bigger part of the Ravens' plans. So much so that CBS Sports named him the one non-quarterback player that Baltimore can't afford to lose. Keeping quarterback Lamar Jackson upright is critical after he missed time the last two seasons, so the centerpiece of the Ravens' strong offensive line is a natural choice for this honor.

"New WR Odell Beckham Jr. is already an injury risk, but Lamar Jackson's chief concern in 2023 is staying on the field,"CBS Sports writes. "Linderbaum was an underrated rookie cog up front, and he's instrumental to their ground attack as the QB of the line."

Linderbaum earned a special honor as the only center on this list, and only interior offensive lineman in general. Several teams, 12 to be exact, have an offensive tackle as their representative, but Linderbaum is the only lineman to play along the interior on the list.

Linderbaum's availability will be even more critical this season, as backup center Trystan Colston left Baltimore in free agency. New backup center Patrick Mekari has four years of solid NFL experience, but he plays across the entire line and is a natural guard. 

The Ravens have had a strong history of offensive linemen, and that tradition looks to be intact with Linderbaum and others.

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