Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK

NFL Draft 2024: T.J. Tampa Lands with Baltimore Ravens to Add Quality Secondary Depth

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated 4/27/24

The Baltimore Ravens chose Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa with the No. 130th pick in the fourth-round round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon, adding quality depth to the secondary.

Tampa joined former Penn State edge rusher Adisa Isaac, as defensive players chosen by the Ravens in Rounds 3 and 4.

A prototypical press cornerback, Tampa should have the opportunity to push Brandon Stephens for a starting cornerback role opposite All-Pro Marlon Humphrey on the back-end of Baltimore’s defense.

T.J. Tampa NFL Draft Scouting Report

A physical specimen, Tampa has the requisite athleticism, size, and length that defensive coordinators love building their secondary around.

Intercepting three passes across his three collegiate seasons, Tampa also posted a strong 51 percent forced incompletion percentage, according to Pro Football Focus, while garnering a 78.3 coverage grade and 75.8 overall grade from the outlet for the 2024 season.

“Physical cornerback with long arms,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein writes of Tampa. “And an above-average ability to ruin catch tries when he’s in the vicinity. Tampa has decent closing burst but appears to lack true top-end speed.

“He can charge up his press punch and does a nice job of staying connected to routes from trail technique. However, he allows separation windows to open when playing from a backpedal in off-man coverage.”