Ravens Select Cornerback T.J. Tampa in Round 4

The Ravens doubled up at cornerback in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting T.J. Tampa out of Iowa State in the fourth round with pick No. 130 overall.

General Manager Eric DeCosta said the Ravens had an "open highway" to pick the best players available on Day 3 regardless of position. He followed through on that, getting huge value by taking a second cornerback following first-round pick Nate Wiggins.

Tampa was projected by draft analysts to be an early Day 2 pick. He was ESPN's top-ranked player entering the day. The Athletic's Dane Brugler had Tampa ranked as his No. 55 overall prospect in the draft. NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah had him at No. 84.

"They always say the draft is unpredictable," Tampa said. "There's definitely a chip on my shoulder from here on out for all the teams that skipped me and all the corners that went before me. I'm going to use that as fuel every day."

Tampa is a bit over 6-foot and 194 pounds. The Florida native, who played at powerhouse Lakewood High School, started every game for the Cyclones the past two seasons and was named to the first-team All-Big 12 squad as a senior, when he made 44 tackles, nine passes defensed, and a pair of interceptions.

Part of the reason why he likely slid further than pundits expected is he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds at Iowa State's pro day. Tampa said his physicality is his greatest strength.

"Definitely physicality in all aspects of the game – at the point of contact, getting off of blocks, making tackles, being a willing tackler, press, getting hands on, getting receivers off their routes," Tampa said.