The Baltimore Ravens head into Round 1 of the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday with several positions of need.
Interior offensive line, defensive line, tight end, wide receiver, and cornerback are among the top areas Baltimore could use some help.
But the consensus among most draft experts was the Ravens wouldn’t pass up the chance to bulk up their offensive line in Round 1, especially with the plethora of O-line talent available.
As the draft played out, Baltimore was likely tempted with Miami edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. or Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, but ultimately things played out perfectly for the Ravens.
What Are the Ravens Getting in Ioane ?
GettyOlaivavega Ioane will join a Baltimore Ravens offensive line that struggled in 2025
At 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds, Ioane has the prototypical size of a starting NFL guard. He has great balance and body control, making him the perfect plug-and-play lineman for a team that employs a physical run scheme such as Baltimore.
Ioane is good at using his hands and thick frame to gain leverage, and he can straight-up bully opposing defensive lineman, especially ones who can be easily driven off the line.
Athletic, twitchy lineman give Ioane problems, though his raw size and power can often make up for much of his deficiencies.
Guard was an area Baltimore desperately needed to upgrade.
Left guard Andrew Voorhees allowed 28 pressures, 17 hurries, 8 QB hits, and 3 sacks across 969 offensive snaps. Right guard Daniel Faalele surrendered 30 pressures, 23 hurries, 4 sacks, and 3 QB hits on 1,011 offensive snaps played.
Ioane could step right in and be a Day 1 starter, or the Ravens could bring him along slowly until he’s needed.
During the draft broadcast, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. called Ioane the best guard in the draft class, pointing out how he’s a perfect fit in the middle of Baltimore’s offensive line.
What They’re Saying About Ioane
GettyOlaivavega Ioane was drafted 14th overall by the Baltimore Ravens
The Ringer’s Todd McShay is high on Ioane, calling him a mauler who opposing defensive linemen just hate to see.
“Ioane is a powerful drive blocker who latches on to, lifts, and moves defensive tackles in the run game,” McShay said. “He secures the line of scrimmage and works up to linebackers as a combination and zone blocker. He moves well for his size, and he locates assignments when he pulls. He’s a mauler with excellent finishing power.
“… He’s quick getting set, he gets his hands loaded, and he times his punches well. His punch is so violent that he can knock defenders to the ground, and you can see his upper-body strength show up in the way he passes off stunting defensive linemen. He’s not losing to power very often. He sets with a strong base, he bends well, he rewraps his hands when he doesn’t land his initial punch, and he has good size.
Joel Klatt of Fox Sports raved about Ioane’s NFL upside, calling him “the most Ravens pick of all time.”
“He’s the nastiest offensive lineman in the draft and he’s immediately going to help somebody out and play for 12 years,” Klatt said. “And you’re like, ‘Of course, the Ravens get him.’ That’s what happens every single year with the Ravens. They wait, they sit tight, and they get best player available all the time.
“And it just so happens to coincide with a nice area of need. You can solidify the offensive line, solidify the run game, solidify the toughness and nastiness of the brand of football that the Ravens like to play with the best, nastiest offensive lineman in the draft.”
Ravens Draft Olaivavega Ioane: Baltimore Bolsters O-Line With Mauling Guard