The Baltimore Ravens entered the 2026 NFL Draft with clear needs and high expectations—and while they didn't hit a home run, they certainly didn't strike out. According to Sports Illustrated analyst Matt Verderame, the Ravens earned a solid B- grade for their draft class, a mark that reflects both smart moves and one glaring miss.

The biggest hole on Baltimore's roster? Center. After losing Tyler Linderbaum to free agency, the Ravens needed a replacement in the worst way. Instead, they used their first-round pick on Penn State's Olaivavega Ioane, widely considered the best interior offensive lineman in the draft. That move shores up the guard spot, but the center position remains a question mark—a fact Verderame didn't overlook.

"While the Ravens didn’t draft a center to replace Tyler Linderbaum, they did a nice job with almost everything else," Verderame wrote. He highlighted the team's savvy later-round picks, including Missouri edge rusher Zion Young, who could add depth to the pass rush, and two wide receivers—Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt—who might develop into contributors down the road.

For a team that missed the playoffs last season, the pressure is on. New head coach Jesse Minter, who took over for John Harbaugh, needs immediate production from his early-round picks. Injuries derailed Baltimore's 2025 campaign, but with a fresh coaching staff and a promising draft class, the Ravens' arrow appears to be pointing back up.

If one of those young wideouts emerges and Young brings juice off the edge, Verderame says those late-round picks could be considered "huge wins." And in a loaded AFC, every win—on the field and in the draft room—matters. For Ravens fans, the foundation is there. Now it's time to build.