The Ravens are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with more questions than usual-and for once, it’s not just about who they’ll take. With a brand-new coaching staff led by Jesse Minter, and a disappointing 8-9 season in the rearview mirror, Baltimore is in unfamiliar territory. This marks their first time missing the playoffs since 2021, and as a result, they’re picking 14th overall-higher than they’re used to.
But if history tells us anything, it’s that this franchise knows how to make the most of a mid-first-round pick. The last time Baltimore picked at No. 14, they landed Kyle Hamilton.
All he’s done since then is rack up three Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro nods. Not bad for a safety some teams passed on.
So what’s next? According to the first mock draft from NFL.com’s Eric Edholm, the Ravens are projected to bolster the offensive line with Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane.
And honestly, that’s about as Ravens a pick as it gets. Tough, technically sound, and built for trench warfare, Ioane fits the mold of what Baltimore loves in their linemen-gritty, physical, and plug-and-play ready.
Edholm described Ioane as a “classic Ravens pick,” and it’s hard to argue. Baltimore has a history with Penn State prospects, and GM Eric DeCosta has dipped into that well more than once.
Trace McSorley, Odafe Oweh, Jordan Stout, and Adisa Isaac have all made their way from Happy Valley to Charm City. Not all have become stars, but the connection is clear-and the trust in that program runs deep.
Beyond the Penn State ties, this pick makes sense on a pure football level. The Ravens' interior offensive line was a major weak spot in 2025.
Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele struggled mightily, forming one of the least effective guard duos in the league. The run game sputtered.
Pass protection collapsed. It was a problem that showed up week after week.
Enter Ioane. He’s not flashy, and he won’t wow anyone with elite athleticism.
But what he lacks in mobility, he makes up for in power, polish, and poise. His hand placement is precise, his base is sturdy, and he consistently wins at the point of attack.
He’s the kind of guard who creates movement in the run game and holds his ground in pass sets-exactly what Baltimore needs if they’re going to get the best out of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in 2026.
With rookie lineman Emery Jones Jr. expected to lock down one guard spot, Ioane could step in and stabilize the other. That would give the Ravens a young, physical interior duo to build around-something they desperately lacked last season.
This isn’t a flashy pick. It’s not going to light up social media or dominate headlines.
But it’s the kind of foundational move that Baltimore has made a habit of over the years. Draft a smart, tough, technically sound lineman.
Plug him in. Let him do the dirty work.
And watch the offense take a step forward because of it.
If this mock holds true, the Ravens would be addressing one of their most glaring needs with a player who fits their identity to a tee. That’s how you rebound from a lost season.