Ravens urged to select 'safest bet' in NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Baltimore Ravens, for most, have only one position to target in the first-round of the NFL Draft.
Having seen a couple of players move on in free agency, the interior of the offensive line has gaping holes, and for Lamar Jackson, that is less than ideal.
Tyler Linderbaum is the big loss. A three-time Pro Bowl center, Lamar now has to work with a new center this offseason and get on the same page.
But, holding the No. 14 overall pick, could the Ravens address their offensive line issues?
Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski has named Olaivavega Ioane as Baltimore's ideal pick.
"Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees were the Baltimore Ravens' primary interior offensive line starters during the 2025 campaign. The first two signed elsewhere this offseason, while the team can upgrade over Vorhees.
"Enter Vega Ioane. Ioane is a powerfully-built, tailor-made NFL guard. He just may be the safest best of any prospect in the class, because his skill set translates so well."
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Whoever the Ravens draft, they are going to need to be Day 1 starters, and if it is Ioane, he'll have to be a plug-and-play sort of player for the Ravens.
Given that head coach Jesse Minter will be under pressure to get this franchise not only back to the playoffs, but also go on a deep run, they can't afford any setbacks. As in, Ioane can't take the time to get used to NFL football.
He's got to hit the ground running and be a crucial cog in Baltimore's offensive line.
Is he the ideal draft pick? Based on needs and availability, you could easily make that case.
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