The Baltimore Ravens spent years enjoying one of the NFL's premier centers in Tyler Linderbaum. Now they're searching for the next answer. The three-time Pro Bowler's departure in free agency forced a reshaping of the interior offensive line.
Veterans Ethan Pocic and Jovaughn Gwyn were added, but neither arrived with long-term certainty attached. Veteran Danny Pinter was also in the mix before suffering a preseason injury that landed him on injured reserve.
Perhaps the clearest indication of Baltimore's situation came during training camp when rookiefirst-round pick Vega Ioane began taking snaps at center. Ioane was drafted primarily as a guard, but the Ravens clearly wanted another emergency option available if needed.
The 2027 NFL Draft is more
than seven months away. Scouting is a year-round process, though, and with players enjoying a little time off, college football takes center stage. Week 1 allows a look at some future and microwavable NFL stars. Here are a handful that may intrigue the Ravens as potential anchors for their offensive line.
Kade Pieper, Iowa Hawkeyes
Few programs produce NFL offensive linemen as consistently as Iowa, which immediately makes Pieper worth watching. The 6-foot-5, 314-pound lineman earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2025. He spent last season at right guard but is expected to move to center following Logan Jones' departure to the NFL.
That versatility should immediately appeal to Baltimore. Pieper has experience at guard, possesses ideal size for the position, and projects as a potential starter at either spot on the interior. If he handles the transition to center smoothly, he could quickly emerge as one of the top prospects in the class.
Gregory Johnson, Minnesota Golden Gophers
Johnson enters the season with one of the more intriguing résumés among interior offensive linemen. The Minnesota standout started all 13 games at center in 2024 before moving to left guard in 2025. He even logged starts at both tackle spots, showcasing the type of positional flexibility NFL teams covet.
At 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds, Johnson brings impressive size and power to the position. He has already demonstrated the ability to anchor in pass protection while remaining effective in the run game. Baltimore has long valued offensive linemen capable of handling multiple roles, making Johnson a prospect worth monitoring throughout the season.
Braelin Moore, LSU Tigers
If the Ravens are searching for toughness and experience, Moore checks both boxes. The LSU center began his career with the Virginia Tech Hokies, starting at left guard before moving to center and eventually transferring to Baton Rouge. Despite dealing with injuries, Moore impressed scouts during his first season with the Tigers.
His size may limit him strictly to center at the next level, but Baltimore has never been afraid of slightly undersized interior linemen who win with technique, intelligence, and athleticism. Another productive season in the SEC could significantly elevate Moore's stock.
Drew Bobo, Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia's offensive line pipeline has become one of the NFL's most reliable talent sources, and Bobo could be among the next crop of future stars. The 6-foot-5 center was putting together an outstanding 2025 campaign before an injury interrupted his season.
His absence was noticeable, a testament to how important he had become to the Bulldogs' offense. He possesses the frame and strength teams look for on the interior and could ultimately offer guard-center flexibility at the next level. Given Baltimore's preference for versatile offensive linemen, he feels like a natural fit for this list.
Carson Hinzman, Ohio State Buckeyes
It's difficult to build an offensive line watchlist without including an Ohio State blocker. Hinzman has been a fixture for the Buckeyes since his redshirt freshman season, starting games at both center and guard while helping Ohio State capture a national championship.
He followed that success with a First-Team All-American season in 2025. The 6-foot-3, 306-pound lineman projects best at center in the NFL, where his experience, football intelligence, and technical refinement stand out. Players with extensive starting experience in major programs tend to attract plenty of NFL attention, and Hinzman appears positioned to do exactly that.
It's early, but center deserves attention.
The Ravens may eventually discover that one of their current options is the long-term answer. Pocic could stabilize the position. Gwyn could develop. Ioane could prove capable of handling center duties if needed.
Still, Baltimore's actions throughout the offseason revealed an organization searching for solutions rather than operating from a position of certainty. That's why center will be one of the more fascinating positions to monitor throughout the 2026 college football season.
The Ravens have built championship-caliber teams by identifying future needs before they become urgent. If history is any indication, DeCosta and Baltimore's scouting department will spend plenty of Saturdays evaluating the next generation of centers long before anyone else starts talking about the position.
Replacing a player like Linderbaum was never going to be easy. The Ravens may already have his successor somewhere on the roster. Still, until that answer reveals itself, every Saturday becomes another opportunity to evaluate who might eventually inherit one of the most important jobs in Baltimore's offense.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 2027 NFL Draft: 6 centers for the Ravens to watch
