The Ravens have developed a reputation for bringing in elite talent and keeping it around. That shouldn’t change any time soon, as long as they can keep Lamar Jackson around by restructuring his contract. As a top-level organization, they have been able to draft and develop budding stars like safety Kyle Hamilton and center Tyler Linderbaum.
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports put together a 22-player “All-Bargain Team” earlier today, including Hamilton and Linderbaum at their respective positions. Benjamin attempted to put together a championship-caliber team using a salary cap of just $139.6 million.
That figure represents half of the current salary cap, as he only selected 11 starters on each side of the ball. In addition, the only players eligible to be selected were the ones included on Pete Prisco‘s Top 100 list. The Ravens were one of five teams with multiple selections on the “All-Bargain Team.”
Kyle Hamilton Ready to Serve as Anchor on Ravens Defense Once Again
Even though Lamar Jackson tends to dominate the headlines, you could argue that 2-time All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton was the team’s most important player last season. As The Athletic‘s Jeff Zrebiec writes, Hamilton is a DPOY-type talent and “exactly the type of player and leader the Ravens pay and build around.”
Hamilton has engrained himself with Ravens leadership as “everything Baltimore dreamed of,” writes Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports. Benjamin calls the 4th-year pro a “do-it-all chess piece” who “remains one of the NFL’s most versatile defensive playmakers.”
Hamilton has already earned the reputation as the “most complete safety in the league,” according to PFF‘s Zoltán Buday. Buday ranked him as the No. 1 safety heading into the 2025 season. Buday highlighted his versatility and varied skillset, as Hamilton was the only safety “to earn at least an 88.0 PFF grade in coverage, run defense and pass rushing.”
While Hamilton told reporters he’s “not in a big rush” to land an extension, Baltimore will likely make him a priority. Any time you can lock up a 24-year-old, top-level talent long-term, you should jump at the opportunity.
Tyler Linderbaum Hoping to Play Himself into a Lucrative Extension
While Baltimore declined Linderbaum’s fifth-year option at the end of April, it had nothing to do with his on-field production. The option would’ve cost the Ravens over $23 million, which would’ve made Linderbaum the highest-paid center in NFL history.
“That’s not necessarily an indictment of his value in Baltimore,” writes Benjamin. “He’s arguably gotten better with each NFL season, missing just two games in three years.”
The 25-year-old has excelled during his first three seasons. He has earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections and improved in All-Pro voting last season. With the retirement of Lions center Frank Ragnow, Linderbaum should have a great chance at earning his first All-Pro nod.
He also jumped from up to No. 2 in PFF’s top center rankings heading into 2025. Linderbaum has become one of the NFL’s premier run blockers, helping clear the way for Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry to set records for a QB-RB rushing duo.
While these bargains will come to an end after this season, Baltimore is confident they’re investing in the right players. Hamilton and Linderbaum should continue to excel and finish near the top at the positions once again this year.
Will it lead to the Ravens’ first Super Bowl appearance since 2012? Only time will tell.
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