The Baltimore Ravens received plenty of interest in their first-round pick during the 2026 NFL draft nearly three weeks ago.
And now a video emerged on social media from the Ravens’ war room showing the team came really close to trading the 14th overall pick, which they used on Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, to the Detroit Lions.
It’s not known how many other teams called Baltimore about its pick, but it seems the Lions’ offer was one the team seriously considered.
How the Deal Almost Went Down
GettyThe Detroit Lions pulled their trade offer to the Baltimore Ravens on draft night
After the Cleveland Browns picked Utah tackle Spencer Fano, the Lions seemingly were trying to move up and get ahead of a run on offensive tackles.
The New York Giants picked Miami’s Francis Mauigoa with the next pick, and after the Dallas Cowboys traded up for Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Detroit made the call to try and jump up a few spots for another tackle.
“We have an offer,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said.
“We have a trade offer: 14 for 17, 118, and next year’s [third-round pick],” Ravens vice president of football operations Nick Matteo pointed out.
“Yeah, I probably got about two minutes — so a minute-and-a-half and I’m gonna call the player,” DeCosta reiterated.
The Ravens then called the Lions back to see if they were willing to do their original trade offer but were rebuffed.
The Lions were likely targeting Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, who went two picks earlier to the Miami Dolphins. Detroit, instead, settled for Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller at 17th overall.
The deal would’ve given Baltimore two third-rounders in the 2027 draft, which many experts are calling the most loaded draft in years.
Ravens Ended Up With Strong Draft Class
GettyDE Zion Young slipped to the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2026 draft
Despite missing out on picking up an extra fourth-rounder and a third-round pick the following year, the Ravens still ended up with a strong 2026 draft class.
Behind Ioane, Baltimore selected Missouri edge-rusher Zion Young (Round 2), USC wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane (Round 3), Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (Round 4), SMU tight end Matthew Hibner (Round 4), Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers (Round 5), Alabama tight end Josh Cuevas (Round 5), Clemson running back Adam Randall (Round 5), Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley (Round 6), Michigan defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny (Round 7), and Northwestern guard Evan Beerntsen (Round 7).
The 11-player draft haul earned a “B+” grade from ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.
“Ioane is a 320-pound immovable object at guard and gave up just two sacks over 2,231 career snaps,” Kiper wrote. “But he also moves really well for his size and has the run-blocking chops to pave some fresh lanes for Derrick Henry. … Other offensive highlights include Ja’Kobi Lane, who should quickly become a major player in the red zone.
“He’s 6-foot-4 with strong hands, and 11 of his 16 touchdown catches over the past two seasons have come in the red zone. I had him high on the board early in the 2025 season, and he ended up as my WR15.
“… The draft-day pivot opposite Hendrickson? Zion Young. I like this pick for a lot of reasons. He was No. 22 on my board, and the Ravens got him at No. 45. He might have had just 6.5 sacks, but he did have 46 pressures, and with his motor, quickness and power combination, he should start converting some of those into QB takedowns.”
Ravens, Lions Nearly Pulled Off Blockbuster Draft Trade Involving Multiple Picks