OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The third and final day of the 2026 NFL draft is underway in Pittsburgh.
The Baltimore Ravens nabbed Guard Olaivavega Ioane at No. 14 in the first round.
A full list of Ravens’ selections are below, in addition to positional needs.
Baltimore Ravens 2026 draft picks
Round 1, No. 14 overall: Olaivavega Ioane, Guard, Penn State
My take: There’s a reason why Ioane is the first interior lineman ever to be drafted in the top half of the first round by the Ravens. Baltimore’s theme this offseason is: Protect quarterback Lamar Jackson. After making guard John Simpson their first free-agent signing on the offensive side of the ball, the Ravens used their first pick in the draft on Ioane, who is considered the top guard in this draft. Baltimore took Ioane over Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. It’s hard to question the Ravens when they are positioned this high in the draft. Baltimore has picked 11 times previously in the top half of the first round, and nine of them have turned into Pro Bowl players, including safety Kyle Hamilton in 2022.
Will he start as a rookie: Undoubtedly. One of the biggest factors in Jackson being pressured on 37.1% of his dropbacks last season — the worst rate of his eight-year career — was the play of Ravens guards Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees. Baltimore will make a significant upgrade by plugging Ioane at left or right guard. The last three offensive linemen drafted by the Ravens in the first round — Michael Oher, Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum — all started immediately.
Key stat: Ioane allowed two sacks in 1,106 pass-blocking plays in his Penn State career. Even though Ioane’s strength is creating holes in the run game, he will give more time for Jackson to throw. Pass protection has been the area where Ioane has grown the most. In 2023 and 2024, Ioane allowed 15 quarterback pressures and totaled 27 blown blocks. In 2025, he allowed two quarterback pressures and had seven blown blocks. Last season, Faalele and Vorhees combined to give up 58 quarterback pressures.
What’s next: The Ravens need to find a starting center on Day 2, when they have one pick in the second round (No. 45 overall) and one pick in the third round (No. 80). After losing Linderbaum to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, the top prospects to replace him are: Florida’s Jake Slaughter, Kansas State’s Sam Hecht, Iowa’s Logan Jones and Kentucky’s Jager Burton. The other needs for Baltimore are: wide receiver, defensive tackle, cornerback and inside linebacker.
Round 2, No. 45 overall: Zion Young, OLB, Missouri
My take: It’s not a surprise that Young is the first defensive player drafted under new Ravens coach Jesse Minter, who will call the defensive plays in Baltimore. At 6-foot-5, 262 pounds, Young is a powerful tone-setter who is one of the most complete outside linebackers in this draft. Even though Baltimore added Trey Hendrickson in free agency and drafted Mike Green in the second round last season, Young should get on the field quickly — he excels at setting the edge against the run as much as he puts pressure on the quarterback with speed rushes.
One of his best friends is Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins.
“As a youngin’, I was taught smash-mouth football,” Young said. “I’m looking forward to bringing the Super Bowl back to Baltimore. Whatever it takes, I’ll be the kicker.”
Key stat: Young led the SEC with 18 tackles for loss last season. A self-described “hellraiser” on his social media bio, Young is a much-needed disruptive force for the Ravens. Last season, Baltimore struggled to get to the quarterback and finished with 30 sacks, which were tied for the second-fewest in franchise history. Young produced a career-high 6.5 sacks last season and ranked fifth in the SEC with a 15.4% pressure rate. His 26 tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage in 2025 were the second-most in the SEC.
Round 3, No. 80 overall: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
My take: The Ravens passed on drafting a potential starting center — which is the team’s biggest need — because they couldn’t pass up selecting Lane, who has special measurables for the wide receiver position. Lane had the largest hands (10 1/2 inches) and the second-largest wingspan (80 3/4 inches) among all the wide receivers at the NFL combine, which makes him a valuable weapon in the red zone and on contested catches.
The Ravens are looking for a young playmaker to take some pressure off Zay Flowers, who set career highs last season with 86 catches and 1,211 yards receiving. The other Baltimore wide receivers combined for just 51 receptions for 735 yards. Lane is the type of big-bodied receiver who replaces DeAndre Hopkins and can also compete with Rashod Bateman, who is currently the Ravens’ No. 2 wide receiver.
Key stat: Lane has produced 16 touchdown catches since 2024, which ranks as the fifth-most in the Big Ten over that span. This will help the Ravens, whose wide receivers have totaled 60 touchdown receptions over the last five seasons (26th in the NFL). The biggest concern is Lane’s consistency. He has had 11 dropped passes since 2024, which are tied for the most in the Big Ten.
What’s next: The Ravens will have a busy final day with eight picks, including four selections in the fifth round. Baltimore’s biggest priority is a starting center after losing Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. The Ravens’ other needs are: tight end, defensive tackle, cornerback, inside linebacker and punter.
Round 4, No. 115 overall: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
My take: For the second straight pick, the Ravens get another big-bodied target for Lamar Jackson. The 6-2, 209-pound Sarratt lacks speed, but he excels in the red zone and at contested catches. His father nicknamed him “Waffle House” because he’s always open.
Sarratt led the FBS with 15 touchdown catches last season. Baltimore prioritized adding pass-catchers after Ravens wide receivers combined for 137 receptions last season, which ranked 30th in the NFL. It’s the first time the Ravens have selected multiple wide receivers in the same draft since 2021, when they took Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace. This is a homecoming for Sarratt, who played at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore.
Round 4, No. 133 overall: Matthew Hibner, TE, SMU
My take: The Ravens wanted Hibner so much that they traded up to get him. Baltimore sent its fifth-round pick (No. 154) and a sixth-round selection in 2027 to get back into the fourth round for Hibner, who recorded eight touchdowns over the last two seasons (which ranked second among ACC tight ends). The Ravens needed to add depth at tight end after losing Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in free agency. At SMU, Hibner was used all over the field. He’s one of two FBS players since 2024 with at least 250 snaps as running back, slot receiver and tight end. Hibner is the 10th tight end selected in this year’s draft.
Remaining picks:
Round 5: No. 162
Round 5: No. 173
Round 5: No. 174
Round 7: No. 250
Round 7: No. 253
