A final prediction of what the Baltimore Ravens may do in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Baltimore Ravens have multiple needs, as does every team in the NFL. However, their main need is to protect Lamar Jackson in 2026 and beyond.
With an emphasis on not wasting Jackson's prime years, and the need for general manager Eric DeCosta to make a move to prove that fact and potentially save his job, the Ravens could make a significant move in the first round. This is especially true considering the shakeup in the top 10 picks.
The New York Giants, owning the No. 10 pick after trading Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals, will have a steep impact on what happens, but Baltimore may be forced to make a play to move up.
In this final prediction, that is exactly what they do.
No. 9 - Spencer Fano, T, Utah
The Ravens trading with the Kansas City Chiefs might sound like a far-fetched idea, but Baltimore sends over their No. 80 overall to the Chiefs to move up from 14 to nine.
With the No. 9 overall pick, the Ravens take the lineman they clearly want more than all: Spencer Fano. The reason for moving up and taking Fano has everything to do with his versatility.
The tackle has the kind of athleticism and versatility that make him an ideal fit for the Ravens. He has played tackle and guard, and even took snaps at center during the NFL Combine to further prove he can move up and down the line.
Other than left tackle Ronnie Stanley, the Ravens will be altering their offensive line in a big way. Fano might slot in at guard on the right side, as Daniel Faalele has now joined the New York Giants.
Andrew Vorhees also struggled mightily in 2025, which could lead to Fano stepping in there.
With John Simpson, Jovaughn Gwyn, and Danny Pinter coming in as potential starters or depth, Fano will add another element to the competition of all these acquisitions to give the Ravens a chance to truly upgrade the line.
Fano might be the lineman who can be transitioned into a center, which would heavily help Baltimore. He may not be Tyler Linderbaum, but his size and ability to move puts him in the position to truly have an impact on the line.
The new uniforms, new head coach, and new nearly everything mean the Ravens need to go against the grain and not rest on their laurels of what the organization did previously. Nearly trading for Maxx Crosby was the start of what DeCosta needs to do to ensure he remains in Baltimore in 2027 and beyond.
Trading up to secure Fano proves the team is serious about protecting Jackson and is not stuck in their ways to stand pat and go best player available.