Full Breakdown
Ravens Pass on Center in 2026 Draft, Prioritize Depth
4/28/2026, 10:16:44 AM
Background: Linderbaum’s Exit and Offensive Line Challenges
The Ravens lost center Tyler Linderbaum to the Las Vegas Raiders after the 2025 season, leaving a vacancy at the position. The 2025 offense ranked 27th in red-zone efficiency (47% conversion) and fell from the league’s top offense in 2024 to 16th, prompting a reassessment of interior line depth.
Draft Strategy: Depth Over a Dedicated Center
The Ravens used the No. 14 pick to select Penn State guard Vega Ioane, the first guard taken in the draft and the highest-selected guard in franchise history. The second round added edge rusher Zion Jones (some reports list Zion Young), and the seventh round brought guard Evan Beerntsen. Additional picks include wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, running back Elijah Sarratt, and defensive end Matt Hibner, reflecting a roster-wide depth approach.
GM Eric DeCosta’s Rationale
DeCosta said the team evaluated several centers but found none that justified trading up, which would have cost the second-, third-, and fourth-round picks. He noted that interior linemen Corey Bullock, Jovaughn Gwyn, and Danny Pinter already compete for the center role.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ It’s a classic Ravens approach: trust the board, trust the value.” — Eric DeCosta, General Manager
- “So, [it’s] unfortunate, but I’m ecstatic with the players that we were able to get. Honestly, like looking at this list of players, I probably wouldn’t do anything differently.” — Eric DeCosta
- “There were a couple centers that we really liked… could we have traded up? Potentially… but for us to do that would have cost our second-round pick, our third-round pick and our fourth-round pick… Would I rather have Ja’Kobi [Lane], [Elijah] Sarratt and [Matt] Hibner? I probably would than one player at that point… there’s nobody that we looked at that we thought… is going to necessarily be an impact player for us this year.” — Eric DeCosta
- “He was the best offensive lineman in this class. Landing him at No. 14 will prove to be a major steal.” — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Impact
Securing a stable interior line is essential for improving red-zone efficiency and protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson. Depth at guard and tackle aims to offset the center vacancy and help the Ravens regain offensive ranking.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Two sources name the second-round edge rusher as Zion Jones, while a third lists him as Zion Young, creating a naming discrepancy. Additionally, the seventh-round guard Beerntsen’s projected role is not detailed.
What’s Next
Ravens will evaluate rookie performance in training camp, with Bullock, Gwyn, and Pinter competing for the center job. Final roster decisions will shape the offensive line for the 2026 season.
