The Baltimore Ravens underwent an offensive line remake this offseason are set to return just two starters in 2024 from last season. While this leads to some uncertainty at these positions along the front-five, there’s comfort in knowing they have one of the league’s best snapping the ball to quarterback Lamar Jackson.
That player is center Tyler Linderbaum, who is entering this third season following his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2023. Linderbaum received high praise throughout last year for his performance and emerged more in the national spotlight. That recognition has continued into this spring and summer.
In Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) ranking of the Top 32 centers in the NFL ahead of the 2024 season, Linderbaum came in at No. 3 overall. He placed behind only Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs and Frank Ragnow of the Detroit Lions.
“After taking like a duck to water in his rookie season, Linderbaum went one better and improved in his sophomore campaign,” said PFF’s Thomas Valentine. “He improved his overall grade from 74.7 to 78.3, including a dramatic shift in his pass-blocking grade from 54.7 to 76.1.”
Valentine noted also that Linderbaum allowed only 15 pressures and not a single sack on the season, and claimed the “sky is the limit for one of the best young emerging offensive line talents” in the NFL.
Linderbaum’s improvement from Year 1 to Year 2 was noticeable, especially in pass protection as Valentine pointed out. He was stout up front in helping keep Jackson upright in the pocket while having to block some of the league’s better defensive tackles throughout the season.
On top of improving as a pass blocker, Linderbaum remained strong in the run game, where his athleticism in space and strength allow him to be effective consistently. While there’s still room for improvement and he’s only 24 years old, Linderbaum is now the anchor of the Ravens’ offensive line.
They’ll be relying on his presence even more so in 2024 given he’ll be flanked by two new starting guards and a new right tackle. The only other returning starter is left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who has been in-and-out of the lineup over the past few seasons with injuries.
Linderbaum has appeared in 32 games through his first two years. He was absent for two contests last season but has otherwise been a fixture in the starting lineup since Day 1 of his rookie campaign.