The Baltimore Ravens got a guy they wanted when they made Olaivavega Ioane the 14th player taken in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, but general manager Eric DeCosta revealed he also had his eye on a “great” alternative pick to the former Penn State guard on Thursday, April 23, a prospect compared to Ravens legend Terrell Suggs.
Speaking to reporters as the opening round progressed outside Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium, DeCosta noted how edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. “would have been a great pick, but he had to make a tough decision. OL was ‘definitely one of the positions that we prioritized,'” per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
Ultimately, DeCosta chose a big-bodied mauler for the interior of the offensive line, instead of Bain, who went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers one pick after Ioane. It was a tough call because the former Miami Hurricanes defensive end would’ve bolstered a weak pass rush still needing help, even after the arrival of four-time Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson in free agency.
Eric DeCosta Chose Lamar Jackson Help Over Pass-Rush Need
DeCosta made a tricky call, one ultimately based on making help for franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. The latter needs better protection up front, particularly along the interior, an area where Ioane excels.
He “allowed 0 sacks and had 0 holding penalties the last two seasons,” according to Underdog NFL. Meanwhile, former Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III pointed out Ioane also yielded “zero QB hits in 613 snaps. When he needs to anchor he holds his ground like tree roots under the grass and he processes stunts and games like a veteran.”
Those are numbers Jackson will love to hear, although not as much as Ioane’s defiant message after being drafted. The 6-foot-4, 326-pounder confidently proclaimed, “Nobody is going to touch my quarterback. It’s as simple as that,” per Ravens Vault co-host Sarah Ellison.
It’s easy to see why DeCosta was ultimately swayed to trust his initial instincts and choose Ioane over Bain. Even if the Ravens still need to find another Suggs from somewhere in the remainder of this draft class.
Ravens Still Need Another Terrell Suggs
A pass rush that felt the collars of opposing quarterback just 30 times last season could use another game-wrecker up front. Hendrickson can be dominant, while rookie head coach Jesse Minter has already made a bold prediction about second-year edge Mike Green, but there’s no Suggs in this group.
This is where Bain could’ve helped, despite arms that measure less than 31 inches. Yet, Zrebiec’s colleague Bruce Feldman pointed out how “In the past 25 years, there have been some ultra-productive edge players whose arms were only 32 inches. Trey Hendrickson has been to four Pro Bowls; Terrell Suggs had 139 career sacks.”
Bain’s natural explosiveness, powerful punch and ability to slide inside and put heat on the pocket would’e been reminiscent of Suggs. Matching what the latter did as the Ravens all-time leader in sacks with 132.5 would have been a tall order, but today’s pass rush would look a lot better with a marquee prospect like Bain in the mix.
Instead, DeCosta is left still needing to find edge-rusher help in this draft. Fortunately, there are multiple viable prospects available in Round 2 for when the Ravens pick 45th overall.
Edge disruptors like Clemson’s T.J. Parker of Cashius Howell of Texas A&M are among those named by NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah as the best still on the board. DeCosta should emerge from the second or third rounds having added at least one dynamic pass-rusher to make up for passing on Bain.
Ravens GM Reveals Passing On ‘Great Pick’ to Draft Vega Ioane