The Baltimore Ravens have selected Olaivavega Ioane with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Baltimore Ravens needed to make a big move to ensure that the 2026 season would start off in a different way, as the team prioritized protecting Lamar Jackson.
With the No. 14 overall pick, the Ravens have taken Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane.
Protecting Jackson is paramount and Ioane is the consensus top guard in the draft. He will presumably take the right guard spot that was inhabited by Daniel Faalele, or the left spot that is currently inhabited by Andrew Vorhess.
Either way, the Ravens made a statement by taking one of the top linemen in this draft class.
There were a multitude of mock drafts that were in agreement that the Ravens would take Ioane, with many believing that the team may have tried to move up to select him. Instead of being impatient, Eric DeCosta and the front office were patient and allowed the board to fall to them.
Ioane is a powerful lineman that can jam up defenders in a big way with his solid build and proportiante arm length and thighs. He can be a huge asset in the run game, as he has the ability to put defenders on their backs with his movement and strength.
With Derrick Henry in the backfield and Jackson also being a mobile quarterback, Ioane is the kind of mauling offensive linemen that can play at a high level to aid both players in a major way.
The Ravens desperately needed to upgrade their offensive line, especially after the exit of center Tyler Linderbaum and Faalele. The latter was unlikely to return anyway due to his struggles in 2025.
Baltimore could theoretically test Ioane at center, though he has no experience at the position. He is a top guard and may be just that for this Ravens team.
Regardless, the Ravens made a big statement by selecting Ioane. After the 2025 season saw the team struggle mightily with injuries, especially to Jackson, the front office made a big move to ensure their franchise quarterback will have far more protection.