Plugging holes along the offensive line remains an obvious need for the Baltimore Ravens entering the 2026 NFL draft, and the chances of the team using its first-round pick to solve the problem appear strong after general manager Eric DeCosta offered a major endorsement of arguably the top guard in this class.
DeCosta spoke with reporters, including ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, on Wednesday, April 15, and told those assembled Penn State stud Ioane is “Straight from central casting of what you want your guards to look like.”
Significantly, Hensley also included the following comments from DeCosta about standout former Utah left tackle Spencer Fano: “I think Fano could play really wherever you want him to play.”
Those words make it sound as though the Ravens project perhaps the most accomplished O-lineman in this draft as a potential guard. Yet, the reference to Ioane is arguably more telling after the Ravens dispatched a key coach to the 320-pounder’s pro day back in March.
Ravens Have Room for Vega Ioane
There’s an obvious spot for Ioane after Daniel Faalele rejoined longtime former head coach John Harbaugh with the New York Giants. Faalele’s defection in free agency only added to the uncertainty about the interior trio of Baltimore’s offensive front.
DeCosta had already opted against paying All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum what he wanted. Linderbaum joining the Las Vegas Raiders left a sizeable hole at the heart of the Ravens’ offensive line, one unlikely to be filled by a reunion with veteran John Simpson.
The latter projects more as a starting guard, leaving new head coach Jesse Minter, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and line coach Dwayne Ledford with a decision to make at the other spot.
There are candidates, including Andrew Vorhees and last year’s third-round pick Emery Jones Jr. Ioane would offer a more formidable starter based on pre-draft assessments like this one from Ryan Dunleavy of the New New York Post, who states the 22-year-old is “A cut above the rest in an underwhelming class of interior linemen. Broad chest is like a ‘Stop’ sign for power pass rushers. Clears out running lanes. Nasty temperament. Better mover after dropping weight in 2025 offseason. Slow to react to sudden change.”
While Ioane is often lauded for his power and finishing in the running game, Dunleavy highlighted another important part of the interior mauler’s skill-set. Specifically, how effectively Ioane protects his quarterbacks, a trait underlined by the following numbers from PFF College, “311 Pass Block Snaps Zero Sacks Allowed Zero QB Hits Allowed 4 Pressures Allowed.”
Ioane would be a credible choice as the 14th-overall pick, but DeCosta has also spelled out another draft priority for the Ravens.
Eric DeCosta Confirms Double Up Draft Plan
DeCosta won’t be idle after seeing two tight ends leave during free agency. Instead, he confirmed a plan to double up at the position in this draft, telling Hensley, “I think there’s a strong chance that we’ll add a couple more throughout for sure.”
Using two of his 11 picks on tight ends makes sense when the Ravens lost established players who brought different skills to the position. The difference involved Isaiah Likely being a dynamic, roving pass-catcher before joining Harbaugh’s rebuild of the Giants, while more traditional-style tight end Charlie Kolar took his ability as a blocker to the Los Angeles Chargers.
It will take multiple players to keep the rotation strong and versatile behind experienced All-Pro Mark Andrews. He remains an integral target for Lamar Jackson, but the franchise quarterback might appreciate it more if DeCosta and the Ravens add some beef to the blockers in front of him.
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