The 2026 NFL Draft is finally here, and the Ravens will be on the clock in just over an hour with the 14th overall pick. Here are Baltimore Beatdown’s favorite prospects for Baltimore’s first selection:
Offense: Arguably the #1 player the Ravens should draft tonight has been linked to them since the beginning. Penn State guard Vega Ioane might be the best offensive lineman in the draft, even if he’s just a pure guard. He is by far the most NFL-ready linemen and presents an incredibly high, decade-long,
All-Pro ceiling as a pass protector. Unlike the other first round lineman, there are no questions about his game. Just simply how good he will fit in the Ravens run scheme. At worst, he’ll be an average run defender. I’ll take that with a premier pass protector. He may only be a guard, but think Marshall Yanda, anchor the line for years to come.
Defense: There’s really only two options in my head tonight for the Baltimore Ravens. On defense, it’s trading up for or praying Reuben Bain falls to 14. Bain is the quintessential Raven edge defender. He’s physical at contact, a three down player against the run and the pass. He’s a bull in a china shop on run plays, constantly using elite-level power to punch blockers back and crash in. He has a tendency to misread gaps or shoot early, but he makes mistakes at 100 miles an hour, something the Ravens have repeatedly said they love over the year. He could be there at 14 because of his arm length which has scouts question how good of a pass rusher he’ll be at the NFL level. But if Baltimore takes him, he can kick inside with Trey Hendrickson and Mike Green outside on pass downs while he learns counters and secondary moves to escape longer tackles. –– Zach Canter
Offense: While it would be the chalk pick and lack sexiness, Olaivavega Ioane would be an easy home run pick for the Ravens. Offensive Guard may not be a premium position but Ioane is an instant NFL-ready starter with All-Pro upside. He profiles as the type of nasty tone-setter that the Ravens badly need up front. The Penn State product would immediately improve the offensive line and help give Lamar Jackson more protection.
Defense: Rueben Bain Jr. falling to No. 14 is the ultimate dream scenario for the Ravens. Despite his lack of length, Bain has high-level traits as a pass-rusher and will immediately make an impact as a rookie. Bain would be a huge addition to the team’s edge rusher room. The Ravens have not hit on an edge rusher draft pick in quite awhile (Mike Green aside, too early to determine), but it’s hard to envision Bain not becoming a great NFL player. –– Frank Platko
Offense: It may be the boring selection, but I think when you’re picking this high, you have to nail it. Olaivavega Ioane checks the boxes for the Ravens who need to protect Lamar Jackson better. Many will argue replacing last year’s third round pick before he gets a real chance to start is a poor way to use assets, but I think Ioane is too good to pass up on. The true question is whether he’ll make it to 14.
Defense: My unrealistic dream is a trade-up for Caleb Downs if he starts to fall. I know, another safety would be crazy, but downs is incredible and Jesse Minter would be able to find a way to get his best guys on the field together. More conservatively, I think Mansoor Delane would be a great fit for this defense. Humphrey has enough leash for another year in the slot, and Wiggins has one of the boundary spots secured. Chidobe Awuzie played well last season and was a smart re-signing by Eric DeCosta, but that shouldn’t stop him from getting another impact player in that position group. –– Mark Myers
Offense: The Ravens are in dire need of reinforcements on the offensive line. After losing Tyler Linderbaum, they have at best an average unit. Offensively this leaves Vega Ioane as the best pick. Ioane has been frequently mocked to the Ravens and is considered by many to be one of the safer picks in the draft. He would immediately raise the floor for their offensive line and more importantly, give Lamar Jackson an increased sense of comfort after last year’s debacle at guard.
Defense: Defensively, it seems like there are a few players who could drop if the cards fall correctly. Reuben Bain is one to keep an eye on as concerns over arm length and off the field character has called his status as a top pick into question. Bain would, in my opinion, be the best choice for the Ravens defensively because of the versatility he offers. Even if he doesn’t turn into an elite edge rusher in the NFL, it’s hard to imagine him not being a weapon on the defensive line that could move around, be disruptive against the run, and even kick inside on passing downs. The Ravens signed who is more of a pure pass rusher but would still benefit from another disrupter on the defensive line. If Bain is there, he’d be my pick over any offensive player available. –– Stephen Bopst
Offense: I’d be satisfied with selecting Fano, especially if they can net some extra draft capital in getting him. I can talk myself into Sadiq or Tyson if they love the upside and see them having a huge role in the offense (it would need to be a self-fulfilling prophecy by making Sadiq a huge target for it to be worthwhile).
Defense: Defensively it’s tougher, but I can see Mansoor Delane being an option at 14, especially if the team doesn’t think Marlon bounces back from the miserable year he had last season. –– Kevin McNelis
