The 2026 Baltimore Ravens thread
- Thread starter STAN JONES
- Start date
STAN JONES
Veteran
STAN JONES
Veteran
would like for us to package pick 80 and one of those 5ths and trade up for a WR or maybe Eli Stowers
I'm with it....
Baltimore Ravens choose Vega Ioane, a Penn State guard, with No. 14 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Baltimore Ravens choose Vega Ioane, a Penn State guard, with No. 14 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
The Ravens landed the best pure run blocker in the draft in Vega Ioane, a former Penn State guard. Mitchell Leff / Getty Images
By Nick Baumgardner and Jeff Zrebiec
The Baltimore Ravens selected Penn State offensive lineman Vega Ioane with the 14th pick.
The best pure run blocker in the draft, Ioane is a powerhouse at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, with jackhammers for hands and quick feet in pass protection and through the hole. A physical presence between the tackles, Ioane consistently creates movement at the line of scrimmage better than any other interior lineman in this class.
A three-year starter in college, Ioane did play some tackle in high school, but he only played left guard during his time at Penn State. He’s probably only a guard in the NFL, too, as he lacks ideal length to play on the outside. In general, he’s a much better run blocker than a pass protector.
Ioane has Pro Bowl potential and should be ready to compete for a starting job immediately.
‘The Beast’ breakdown
Ioane ranked No. 12 on Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“Ioane both looks the part and plays the part. In pass protection, he is quick out of his stance and sports a stout base and commanding hands to anchor his spot. As a run blocker, he generates explosive power from his core to dig out defenders on drive/down blocks, flashing the competitive temperament to finish. He doesn’t move any faster than his size would suggest, but he stays efficient with his footwork and flexibility to be effective on movement-based blocks (not scheme-dependent).
“Ioane is a thick, sturdy blocker who consistently holds his ground in pass protection and covers up defenders in the run game. Built in the mold of Steve Avila, he projects as a long-term NFL starter at either guard spot.”
Coaching intel
What an anonymous coach had to say about Ioane in Bruce Feldman’s mock draft:
“He grew on me. He’s your typical right guard in the NFL, and I think he’ll have a good career. He is athletic. In that (Penn State under then-OC Andy Kotelnicki) system, it’s hard to project their guard with all their unbalanced formations and motioning guys and motioning him sometimes. He’ll fit in a pro-style/gap-scheme offense, but he’s versatile enough to play in a West Coast, outside zone scheme.”
Nick Baumgardner grades the pick
This might be my favorite pick of the first round, and it was the most obvious thing in the draft. Ioane has felt like a Raven for a long time. The best pure run blocker in the draft, Ioane’s presence over the ball will go a long way toward securing the interior in front of Lamar Jackson, with former center Tyler Linderbaum now in Las Vegas. This is classic Baltimore. Best player available also happens to be a need. The Ravens are still going to be a physical force up front in the Jesse Minter era. Grade: A+
Ted Nguyen’s assessment
Guard has been a huge issue for the Ravens for years, but it could now be a strength after adding John Simpson in free agency and now drafting Ioane, who should come in and be a plus-starter right away. They lost one of the best centers in the league, but they fortified their interior in the draft. Now, they could look at drafting a receiver in the second round.
How he fits
Ioane is a big and athletic guard who plays with good technique and a nasty demeanor, so he should fit in well with a Ravens team that wants to set the tone with its running game. Ioane has a good anchor in pass protection, and he’s adept at blocking on the move in the run game. He was viewed as the best and most NFL-ready guard. The drafting of Ioane and the signing of Simpson should stabilize the two guard spots, which were a problem in Baltimore for much of last season.
Depth-chart impact
The former Nittany Lion is a plug-and-play guy. The Ravens didn’t draft him at No. 14 for him to sit for a year. Ioane played mostly left guard at Penn State, and that’s where Simpson is most comfortable. One of the two will have to move to the right side. Andrew Vorhees, last year’s starter at left guard, will likely move to a bench role, and 2025 third-round pick Emery Jones Jr., once a candidate to start inside, now seems primed for either the swing tackle or backup guard role.
They also could have picked …
If the Ravens stayed at No. 14, it always felt like it was going to come down to either a pass catcher or a pass protector. That’s ultimately how it played out, with general manager Eric DeCosta opting to take the draft’s clear-cut No. 1 guard over USC wide receiver Makai Lemon or Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. DeCosta also had the option of selecting Miami pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. The Ravens hadn’t picked a guard in the first round since selecting Auburn’s Ben Grubbs in 2007. That shows you how much they like Ioane.
Fast evaluation
Regardless of how much Ravens officials tried to downplay the offensive line concerns, this always felt like a draft where the focus needed to be in the trenches. Using a first on Ioane, regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in this draft, represents a good start. The Ravens still need to find a Linderbaum replacement at center, but the offensive line is starting to come into focus. For a team that prides itself on physicality and winning in the trenches, Ioane feels like the perfect fit.
Nick Baumgardner|Senior Writer, Detroit
Jeff Zrebiec|Senior Writer, Ravens
Baltimore Ravens choose Vega Ioane, a Penn State guard, with No. 14 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Baltimore Ravens choose Vega Ioane, a Penn State guard, with No. 14 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
The Ravens landed the best pure run blocker in the draft in Vega Ioane, a former Penn State guard. Mitchell Leff / Getty Images
By Nick Baumgardner and Jeff Zrebiec
The Baltimore Ravens selected Penn State offensive lineman Vega Ioane with the 14th pick.
The best pure run blocker in the draft, Ioane is a powerhouse at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, with jackhammers for hands and quick feet in pass protection and through the hole. A physical presence between the tackles, Ioane consistently creates movement at the line of scrimmage better than any other interior lineman in this class.
A three-year starter in college, Ioane did play some tackle in high school, but he only played left guard during his time at Penn State. He’s probably only a guard in the NFL, too, as he lacks ideal length to play on the outside. In general, he’s a much better run blocker than a pass protector.
Ioane has Pro Bowl potential and should be ready to compete for a starting job immediately.
‘The Beast’ breakdown
Ioane ranked No. 12 on Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“Ioane both looks the part and plays the part. In pass protection, he is quick out of his stance and sports a stout base and commanding hands to anchor his spot. As a run blocker, he generates explosive power from his core to dig out defenders on drive/down blocks, flashing the competitive temperament to finish. He doesn’t move any faster than his size would suggest, but he stays efficient with his footwork and flexibility to be effective on movement-based blocks (not scheme-dependent).
“Ioane is a thick, sturdy blocker who consistently holds his ground in pass protection and covers up defenders in the run game. Built in the mold of Steve Avila, he projects as a long-term NFL starter at either guard spot.”
Coaching intel
What an anonymous coach had to say about Ioane in Bruce Feldman’s mock draft:
“He grew on me. He’s your typical right guard in the NFL, and I think he’ll have a good career. He is athletic. In that (Penn State under then-OC Andy Kotelnicki) system, it’s hard to project their guard with all their unbalanced formations and motioning guys and motioning him sometimes. He’ll fit in a pro-style/gap-scheme offense, but he’s versatile enough to play in a West Coast, outside zone scheme.”
Nick Baumgardner grades the pick
This might be my favorite pick of the first round, and it was the most obvious thing in the draft. Ioane has felt like a Raven for a long time. The best pure run blocker in the draft, Ioane’s presence over the ball will go a long way toward securing the interior in front of Lamar Jackson, with former center Tyler Linderbaum now in Las Vegas. This is classic Baltimore. Best player available also happens to be a need. The Ravens are still going to be a physical force up front in the Jesse Minter era. Grade: A+
Ted Nguyen’s assessment
Guard has been a huge issue for the Ravens for years, but it could now be a strength after adding John Simpson in free agency and now drafting Ioane, who should come in and be a plus-starter right away. They lost one of the best centers in the league, but they fortified their interior in the draft. Now, they could look at drafting a receiver in the second round.
How he fits
Ioane is a big and athletic guard who plays with good technique and a nasty demeanor, so he should fit in well with a Ravens team that wants to set the tone with its running game. Ioane has a good anchor in pass protection, and he’s adept at blocking on the move in the run game. He was viewed as the best and most NFL-ready guard. The drafting of Ioane and the signing of Simpson should stabilize the two guard spots, which were a problem in Baltimore for much of last season.
Depth-chart impact
The former Nittany Lion is a plug-and-play guy. The Ravens didn’t draft him at No. 14 for him to sit for a year. Ioane played mostly left guard at Penn State, and that’s where Simpson is most comfortable. One of the two will have to move to the right side. Andrew Vorhees, last year’s starter at left guard, will likely move to a bench role, and 2025 third-round pick Emery Jones Jr., once a candidate to start inside, now seems primed for either the swing tackle or backup guard role.
They also could have picked …
If the Ravens stayed at No. 14, it always felt like it was going to come down to either a pass catcher or a pass protector. That’s ultimately how it played out, with general manager Eric DeCosta opting to take the draft’s clear-cut No. 1 guard over USC wide receiver Makai Lemon or Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. DeCosta also had the option of selecting Miami pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. The Ravens hadn’t picked a guard in the first round since selecting Auburn’s Ben Grubbs in 2007. That shows you how much they like Ioane.
Fast evaluation
Regardless of how much Ravens officials tried to downplay the offensive line concerns, this always felt like a draft where the focus needed to be in the trenches. Using a first on Ioane, regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in this draft, represents a good start. The Ravens still need to find a Linderbaum replacement at center, but the offensive line is starting to come into focus. For a team that prides itself on physicality and winning in the trenches, Ioane feels like the perfect fit.
Nick Baumgardner|Senior Writer, Detroit
Jeff Zrebiec|Senior Writer, Ravens
Baltimore Ravens choose Vega Ioane, a Penn State guard, with No. 14 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Baltimore Ravens take Missouri edge Zion Young with No. 45 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Baltimore Ravens take Missouri edge Zion Young with No. 45 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
By Matt Moret and Jeff Zrebiec
The Baltimore Ravens selected Missouri edge rusher Zion Young in the second round with the 45th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Young spent two seasons as a starter at Michigan State before transferring to Missouri and starting during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The 6-foot-5, 267-pound Atlanta native earned first-team All-SEC honors last season after recording 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass deflections as a senior. He showed steady improvement in each of his four years at the college level and last season finished second in the SEC in tackles for loss (16.5) and No. 3 in pressures (53).
With a lifelong love of the weight room and a good core of swipes, chops and bull rushes, Young offers a physical presence on both the interior and edge. His coaches have praised his locker room leadership and energy level, which one NFL scout called “limitless.”
The main concern could be Young’s behavior off the field. He was one of seven Michigan State players suspended and charged with assault in 2023 following a postgame altercation at Michigan. Young pleaded guilty to misdemeanor aggravated assault and received probation. Last December, he was arrested and charged with suspicion of DWI, speeding and failing to properly affix his license plate.
‘The Beast’ breakdown
Young ranked No. 37 in Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“Young is a tad rigid as a pass rusher and doesn’t have ideal cornering speed, but he is long, strong and determined with hand usage to force his way through blockers. As a run defender, his play recognition and full-extension physicality blossomed as a senior.
“Young doesn’t have the pass-rush quickness or diversity that will scare NFL offensive tackles, but he sets a firm edge in the run game and uses his NFL-caliber measurables and heavy hands to open pathways to the pocket. He has the floor of a quality backup and the ceiling of a starting base end for a physical NFL front.”
Scott Dochterman grades the pick
Baltimore addressed its porous pass rush (30 sacks last year) by signing Trey Hendrickson this offseason. Now the Ravens will pair him with one of college football’s top pass rushers. One of the most destructive defenders in the SEC, Young (6-5 3/4, 262 pounds) had 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for the Tigers. Not to get too hyperbolic, but there are some physical commonalities between Young and Ravens legend Terrell Suggs. Grade: A
How he fits
Young doesn’t have explosive pass-rushing traits, but he has the type of skillset that should translate well to the NFL and allow him to get on the field immediately. First-year Ravens defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver loves to say that you have to earn the right to rush the quarterback by first stopping the run. Young is a physical edge setter who can physically overmatch tight ends and hold his ground against tackles. He also plays with a great mix of power and energy and that should result in some impact as a pass rusher.
Depth-chart impact
The Ravens’ edge-rush room suddenly looks pretty crowded. Their big free-agent addition, Hendrickson, will be on one edge. The options for the other edge include Mike Green, a second-round pick last year who had 3.5 sacks as a rookie; Tavius Robinson, who had 4.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits in 10 games last year; and now Young. Robinson will likely be used on early downs due to his edge-setting ability. The odd man out here is potentially Adisa Isaac, a 2024 third-round pick who has played in just four games in two seasons and is still looking for his first NFL sack.
They also could have picked ….
When Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald and Georgia’s Christen Miller went early in the second round, that all but eliminated the option of the Ravens selecting an interior defensive lineman. They had other solid options, including Georgia inside linebacker CJ Allen, Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell and Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers. However, the Ravens opted for the pass rusher.
Fast evaluation
General manager Eric DeCosta’s two roster priorities this offseason were solidifying the offensive line and adding juice to the pass rush. On the first two days of the draft, he’s addressed both areas. Young doesn’t project as a high-impact pass rusher, but he’ll help in that area while doing a lot of other dirty work to free up teammates. You could have made a case that DeCosta should have taken a pass catcher or an interior defensive lineman, but the Ravens wanted to add an edge rusher at some point and this was a good spot to do it.
Matt Moret|Staff Editor, News
Jeff Zrebiec|Senior Writer, Ravens
Baltimore Ravens take Missouri edge Zion Young with No. 45 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Baltimore Ravens take Missouri edge Zion Young with No. 45 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
By Matt Moret and Jeff Zrebiec
The Baltimore Ravens selected Missouri edge rusher Zion Young in the second round with the 45th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Young spent two seasons as a starter at Michigan State before transferring to Missouri and starting during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The 6-foot-5, 267-pound Atlanta native earned first-team All-SEC honors last season after recording 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass deflections as a senior. He showed steady improvement in each of his four years at the college level and last season finished second in the SEC in tackles for loss (16.5) and No. 3 in pressures (53).
With a lifelong love of the weight room and a good core of swipes, chops and bull rushes, Young offers a physical presence on both the interior and edge. His coaches have praised his locker room leadership and energy level, which one NFL scout called “limitless.”
The main concern could be Young’s behavior off the field. He was one of seven Michigan State players suspended and charged with assault in 2023 following a postgame altercation at Michigan. Young pleaded guilty to misdemeanor aggravated assault and received probation. Last December, he was arrested and charged with suspicion of DWI, speeding and failing to properly affix his license plate.
‘The Beast’ breakdown
Young ranked No. 37 in Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“Young is a tad rigid as a pass rusher and doesn’t have ideal cornering speed, but he is long, strong and determined with hand usage to force his way through blockers. As a run defender, his play recognition and full-extension physicality blossomed as a senior.
“Young doesn’t have the pass-rush quickness or diversity that will scare NFL offensive tackles, but he sets a firm edge in the run game and uses his NFL-caliber measurables and heavy hands to open pathways to the pocket. He has the floor of a quality backup and the ceiling of a starting base end for a physical NFL front.”
Scott Dochterman grades the pick
Baltimore addressed its porous pass rush (30 sacks last year) by signing Trey Hendrickson this offseason. Now the Ravens will pair him with one of college football’s top pass rushers. One of the most destructive defenders in the SEC, Young (6-5 3/4, 262 pounds) had 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for the Tigers. Not to get too hyperbolic, but there are some physical commonalities between Young and Ravens legend Terrell Suggs. Grade: A
How he fits
Young doesn’t have explosive pass-rushing traits, but he has the type of skillset that should translate well to the NFL and allow him to get on the field immediately. First-year Ravens defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver loves to say that you have to earn the right to rush the quarterback by first stopping the run. Young is a physical edge setter who can physically overmatch tight ends and hold his ground against tackles. He also plays with a great mix of power and energy and that should result in some impact as a pass rusher.
Depth-chart impact
The Ravens’ edge-rush room suddenly looks pretty crowded. Their big free-agent addition, Hendrickson, will be on one edge. The options for the other edge include Mike Green, a second-round pick last year who had 3.5 sacks as a rookie; Tavius Robinson, who had 4.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits in 10 games last year; and now Young. Robinson will likely be used on early downs due to his edge-setting ability. The odd man out here is potentially Adisa Isaac, a 2024 third-round pick who has played in just four games in two seasons and is still looking for his first NFL sack.
They also could have picked ….
When Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald and Georgia’s Christen Miller went early in the second round, that all but eliminated the option of the Ravens selecting an interior defensive lineman. They had other solid options, including Georgia inside linebacker CJ Allen, Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell and Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers. However, the Ravens opted for the pass rusher.
Fast evaluation
General manager Eric DeCosta’s two roster priorities this offseason were solidifying the offensive line and adding juice to the pass rush. On the first two days of the draft, he’s addressed both areas. Young doesn’t project as a high-impact pass rusher, but he’ll help in that area while doing a lot of other dirty work to free up teammates. You could have made a case that DeCosta should have taken a pass catcher or an interior defensive lineman, but the Ravens wanted to add an edge rusher at some point and this was a good spot to do it.
Matt Moret|Staff Editor, News
Jeff Zrebiec|Senior Writer, Ravens
Baltimore Ravens take Missouri edge Zion Young with No. 45 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Great energy
Hella country
Called out a reporter for not paying attention and asking a repeated question
Both Zion and Ione got the nasty to them
Zion's character concern (getting into a fight) after the game...sounds like a positive to me and drifting away from Harbaugh's choirboy roster build
Zion's character concern (getting into a fight) after the game...sounds like a positive to me and drifting away from Harbaugh's choirboy roster build
