The Baltimore Ravens draft with the No. 228 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
With the No. 228 pick in Round 7 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Nick Samac, center, Michigan State.
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 307 lbs.
School: Michigan State
Kyle Phoenix’s analysis: If nothing else, this pick feels like a signal that the Ravens were not excited about the guard class. This echoes what general manager Eric DeCosta said after Day 2 on how their guard board got wiped clean by the end of Round 3.
The Ravens are in the market for a backup center after back-to-back year departures of Trystan Colon and Sam Mustipher, respectively.
An offensive lineman developmental project the team hope to get something out of with offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris leading point makes sense here. There’s some quality to him as he was even starting as a freshman at Michigan State, and was one of the top guard prospects in Ohio back in high school.
Scouting Reports
A three-year starter with good feet and technique, Samac could be in consideration for a move-blocking rushing attack. He is strong at the point of attack but will have limitations against NFL power. He operates with good hand placement and nimble feet and is a demon once he’s on the move as a pulling center leading the way. He’s fluid and agile in the run game, but those traits fail to do as much for him in protection. Samac punches with inside hands but can struggle to widen his protection base in order to protect his edges. He has eventual starting talent as a run blocker but needs to add more mass and improve in pass protection to get there.
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) draft guide:
SUMMARY: Nicholas “Nick” Samac grew up in Mentor and started playing football at age 7 (his father, Joe, was the youth coach). He outgrew running back and moved to offensive line at age 10, then went on to play tackle and guard at Mentor High, earning All-State honors. A four-star recruit, he committed to Michigan State and stayed loyal, even after Ohio State reached out with an offer. After three seasons as an off-and-on starter, he was the full-time starting center his final two seasons. He suffered a fractured left fibula late in his final season, which sidelined him for the draft process. Samac is quick with his snap and step, and he has the play strength and controlled finish to steer as a run blocker. He shows flexibility in pass pro, but NFL power will bully him, especially when it reaches his edge. Overall, Samac is well-schooled in the run game, hitting his landmarks and fitting with his hands, but his consistency as a pass blocker must catch up for him to stick