In a move that's been mocked and expected for weeks, the Baltimore Ravens selected Penn State All-American guard Olaivavega Ioane with the No. 14 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Ravens GM Eric DeCosta was precise and relaxed, allowing the draft to come to them and then capitalizing on top-tier talent that unexpectedly slid down the board with a best-player-available approach.

The board settled in, and after Spencer Fano and Kadyn Proctor came off the board, Ioane landed with the team that badly needs his physicality and dominant traits inside at offensive guard. Ioane addressed Ravens Flock on Thursday night, and we're handing out a grade ahead of Round 2.

The Ravens are built to contend now, and Ioane is an immediate Day 1 starter at left guard opposite John Simpson, bringing elite physicality and explosive traits to an offense that's centered around Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Ioane didn't allow a sack in his two years as a starter at Penn State, and unlike the previous regime, he didn't draw a single penalty flag either. Ioane is a welcome addition, as quarterback Lamar Jackson was sacked 36 times last season, with a great amount of pressure coming up the middle. The move is an immediate response to the Bengals trading the No. 10 pick to the Giants for Dexter Lawrence.  The former Nittany Lion gives Baltimore a potential ten-year starter at offensive guard, while ensuring physicality and elite traits at the position.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Grading the Ravens' first-round selection of Olaivavega Ioane