While Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson took the lion’s share of criticism for his play in 2025 — and his inability to stay healthy — the truth behind those struggles was a lot more complicated.
The truth was that the Ravens’ offensive line was mostly to blame for those injuries, and their struggles hurt Jackson more than his poor play.
That’s why the Ravens dropped a 3-year, $30 million free-agent contract on guard John Simpson. That’s why they spent their 2026 1st round pick on a plug-and-play starter with Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane at No. 14 overall, then added another guard in the 7th round (No. 253 overall) with Northwestern’s Evan Beerntsen.
It’s also why Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox predicts that undrafted free agent offensive tackle Diego Pounds will make the 53-man roster for the Ravens this fall.
“(Pounds) can provide valuable depth behind 32-year-old tackle Ronnie Stanley,” Knox wrote. ” … Pounds started 32 games at Ole Miss and North Carolina. The 6’6″, 325-pound prospect has the size and play style that Baltimore has traditionally sought along the line. Pounds should be in the mix for a backup role immediately. It’s not unreasonable to believe he could spot-start if needed as a rookie.”
Pounds Inexplicably Fell Off Draft Boards
Mock drafts had Pounds going either on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft, although at the very least he seemed like a lock to hear his name called on Day 3.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein predicted Pounds wouldn’t last past the 4th or 5th round after he tested well at the NFL scouting combine, including running a nimble 5.15-second 40-yard dash.
“Pounds is a high-cut, smooth-limbed tackle,” Zierlein wrote “He plays with a high pad level, spotty body control and inconsistent technique, but he typically battles through those issues at an adequate clip. His run blocking is behind his pass blocking and it’s likely to stay that way. He needs to develop a more consistent pass set to deal with edge speed, but his length and grip strength can effectively end the rush when his timing is right. Pounds’ deficiencies create a lower floor, but he could find work as a swing tackle.”
Pounds started his college career with 2 seasons at North Carolina before transferring to Ole Miss for his final 2 seasons, where he was part of the Rebels’ run to the College Football Playoff semifinals following the 2025 season.
All-Pro Ronnie Stanley in Twilight of Career
Stanley, 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, has been Baltimore’s full-time starter since he was the No. 6 overall pick out of Notre Dame in the 2016 NFL draft.
If the Ravens struggle again in 2026 like they did in 2025, don’t be surprised to hear his name come up in trade rumors.
“(Stanley) has been among the franchise’s biggest stars in the John Harbaugh era,” Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine wrote in February. “But that era is obviously over. It isn’t often that we see franchise left tackles get traded, but Laremy Tunsil was dealt last season. Stanley will be 32 in March, but he would be able to bring back a nice package of picks if the Ravens made him available.”
Ravens’ 6-foot-6, 325-Pound UDFA Predicted for ‘Backup Role Immediately’