The Baltimore Ravens wrapped up the 2026 NFL draft with a fresh wave of prospects ready to make an impact in the purple and black.
Baltimore Ravens 2026 NFL Draft Grades: New Direction Takes Shape
Over three days, Baltimore made its priorities clear, leaning heavily toward offense as seven of its eleven selections were dedicated to that side of the ball. These moves reflect a front office determined to reload around Lamar Jackson and reinforce the foundation of the team’s identity. Here is the player’s general manager, Eric DeCosta, who has chosen to bring to The Castle.
Round One: Olaivavega Ioane, OG – Penn State
The Ravens opened their draft by reinforcing the trenches, selecting Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane with the 14th overall pick. It’s a move that directly addresses Baltimore’s biggest weakness from last season: protection. After a year marked by high sack totals and constant pressure on Lamar Jackson, the front office made it clear that rebuilding the offensive line was priority number one.
This pick surprised some analysts. ESPN’s Field Yates projected Miami edge rusher Reuben Bain Jr. at No. 14, while others expected Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Both were still on the board, but Baltimore stayed committed to its plan.
What Ioane Brings to Baltimore
The Ravens struggled up front last season, allowing 45 sacks and 269 pressures while ranking 28th in pass‑blocking efficiency, per PFF. Lamar Jackson’s 36 sacks and nagging injuries highlighted the urgency to upgrade the line.
Ioane enters as the top interior offensive lineman in the draft. A full‑time starter in his final two seasons at Penn State, he didn’t allow a sack or commit a penalty in 2024 despite facing elite Big Ten pass rushers.
Welcome to Baltimore, Vega Ioane. The Ravens get one of the cleanest prospects in the class — and turn down the chance to draft Rueben Bain.
His 2025, per PFF:
311 pass block snaps
0 sacks allowed
0 hits allowed
4 hurries allowedAnd many pancakes. pic.twitter.com/iMf53P1wjj
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) April 24, 2026
“My pass protection is something I work on every day, just like the run game,” Ioane said after being drafted. “When it comes to the pass game, I go in with the mindset that I won’t get beat. Nobody’s going to touch my quarterback — that’s as simple as it gets.”
He’s equally dominant in the run game, helping pave the way for two 1,000‑yard rushers last season. On film, he’s a finisher — climbing to the second level, moving defenders with power, and playing with the aggression Baltimore covets.
At 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds, Ioane’s agility separates him from other guards in this class. For a franchise eager to reclaim its gritty “play like a Raven” identity, he’s the perfect fit. He also becomes the first guard Baltimore has drafted in the first round since Ben Grubbs in 2007.
Ioane has All‑Pro potential and should thrive under new offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford. This pick signals Baltimore’s commitment to protecting its MVP quarterback for years to come.
Grade: A+
Round Two: Zion Young, DE – Missouri
Baltimore added another key piece to the defensive front with Missouri edge rusher Zion Young at pick 45. Young has the ideal build for a Jesse Minter defensive end at 6-foot-6 and 267 pounds, and he brings a skill set that fits perfectly as an edge setter.
Young led the SEC in tackles for loss (16) and finished third in pressures (53). He has a toolset to get after the quarterback and despite the six sacks in 2025, on his tape there were instances that he was in the right spot to add to that sack total, he just ended up not finishing the play due to whiffing on the tackle or the ball was released quickly. With refinement, those pressures can easily turn into production.
This is what the #Ravens are getting in Zion Young…..an absolute DAWG and a COMPETITOR! pic.twitter.com/GOyQ2Qfr3P
— SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) April 25, 2026
He’ll be a strong addition against the run and a complement to free‑agent signing Trey Hendrickson on early downs. His competitive fire will also make an immediate impact in the locker room.
Grade: A
Round Three: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR – USC
One of Baltimore’s priorities was adding a bigger receiver who can win contested catches, especially in the red zone. They found exactly that in USC’s 6-foot-4 playmaker Ja’Kobi Lane.
We aren't talking enough about Ja'Kobi Lane. He's a better pick in round 3 than his teammate (Makai Lemon) is in round 1.
6'4, 200 lbs
4.47s 40
1.58s 10-yard split (faster than Carnell Tate)
40" vertical
10.5" handsReminds me a lot of Christian Watson. pic.twitter.com/yVKm1l73E1
— Matt Infante (@MattInfante) April 23, 2026
Lane recorded 49 receptions for 745 yards and seven touchdowns last season, and he’s only a year removed from finishing top five in the nation in receiving touchdowns (12). His size and strong 10.5‑inch hands allow him to impose his will on defensive backs, something he showcased during an impressive gauntlet drill at the combine.
Lane is only 21 years old and still developing. He also has Ravens ties — Todd Heap mentored him at Red Mountain High School. The only concern is how he handles press coverage, but in this offense, Declan Doyle will likely help him reach a point where that won’t hinder him.
Grade: B-
Round Four: Elijah Sarratt, WR – Indiana & Matthew Hibner, TE – SMU
Baltimore continued its pursuit of big “X” receivers by selecting Elijah Sarratt at pick 115. A St. Frances Academy product, Sarratt returns home with a proven ability to turn 50/50 balls into 70/30 opportunities. He posted a 57.4 percent contested catch rate and scored 31 touchdowns over his last three seasons.
Grade: B
Elijah Sarratt NFL Draft Profile
The Ravens then traded up to pick 154 to add SMU tight end Matthew Hibner. He fills a major need in a depleted tight end room, bringing physical blocking and surprising speed with a 4.57 40-yard dash. His 9.75 relative athletic score highlights his explosiveness.
SMU TE Matthew Hibner is a super underrated TE (currently 230 on consensus board). Excellent athlete and has ability as an in-line blocker pic.twitter.com/1WPm9hzwlY
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 9, 2026
With Charlie Kolar gone, Hibner brings similar physicality — and even trained with Kolar this offseason. He totaled 804 yards and eight touchdowns over the last two seasons with just a 3.4 percent drop rate.
Grade: B+
Round Five: Chandler Rivers, CB – Duke; Josh Cuevas, TE – Alabama; Adam Randall, RB – Clemson
Baltimore added more youth to the secondary with Duke’s Chandler Rivers at pick 162. Though undersized at 5-foot-9, Rivers brings athleticism and instincts. Since 2022, he’s the only FBS corner with at least 20 pressures and 20 pass breakups, making him a strong option in the slot or star role.
Grade: C+
Chandler Rivers NFL Draft Profile
At pick 173, the Ravens selected Alabama tight end Josh Cuevas. Cuevas was a crucial part of Alabama’s run game last season, not allowing a single blown block in 238 blocking snaps — the third‑most among Power Five tight ends. He’s also coming off a career‑high season in receiving yards (411) and touchdowns (4).
Grade: B
Clemson running back Adam Randall followed at pick 174, giving Baltimore another massive back to pair with Derrick Henry. At 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds, Randall is a punishing runner with rare receiving ability.
The Ravens round out the 5th round with Clemson RB Adam Randall. A former WR, he had 814 yards (4.9 per carry) and 10 TDs last year.
Team captain who also returned kicks.
Certified big boy (6-3, 232) with 4.5 speed. pic.twitter.com/JShwxGdOfK
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) April 25, 2026
He’s the fourth player in Clemson history to record at least 750 rushing and 750 receiving yards in the same season, joining C.J. Spiller and Travis Etienne Jr.
For a Ravens offense that loves to run the ball, going from Derrick Henry to facing a running back that can be just as much of a punisher with the ball in their hand is a match made in heaven.
Grade: A
Round Six: Ryan Eckley, P – Michigan State
Baltimore takes the first punter off the board at 211th overall, and Ryan Eckley now looks like the player to fill the space left from the departure of former All-Pro Jordan Stout.
Ryan Eckley first special teams player off the board pic.twitter.com/R6ZfsnmFb1
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) April 25, 2026
Eckley has a cannon of a leg, averaging 48.5 yards per punt and placed 20 punts inside the 20-yard line last season.
He joins an exclusive group as the fourth punter ever selected by the Ravens in the NFL Draft. Following in the footsteps of Dave Zastudil (2002), Sam Koch (2006), and Jordan Stout (2022), the latter two went on to earn Pro Bowl honors.
Round Seven: Rayshaun Benny, DT – Michigan; Evan Beerntsen, OG – Northwestern
At pick 250, the Ravens selected Michigan defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny. He’s powerful at the point of attack, uses strong hand placement to shed blocks, and posted a career missed‑tackle rate of just 4.6 percent. His 14 run stops ranked fifth on Michigan’s defense.
Welcome to Baltimore, Rayshaun Benny! pic.twitter.com/I4nBcAMpSz
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) April 25, 2026
Though listed at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, Benny plays bigger and should contribute as a rotational piece alongside Aeneas Peebles and potentially Nnamdi Madubike.
Grade: C+
Rayshaun Benny NFL Draft Profile
With their final pick at 253, the Ravens selected Northwestern guard Evan Beerntsen. He allowed zero sacks last season — matching first‑round pick Ioane — and earned the seventh‑best run‑blocking grade among all guards (81.3), per PFF.
Beerntsen’s strength, technique, and experience (54 career games) make him a valuable depth piece. His versatility to play center could be crucial given Baltimore’s need at the position.
This final pick reinforces the theme established on Thursday night: build the trenches and give Lamar Jackson as much support as possible.
Grade: B-
