Baltimore's Vega Ioane is having an unbelievable season
Grade: B+
The Baltimore Ravens selected Vega Ioane with the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite playing guard, Ioane was probably the most universally beloved offensive lineman in the class.
Ioane is stout in pass protection and can cause havoc in the run game with his pulling ability and strength.
But Ioane still found a way to shock even his biggest fans at the start of the season.
Baltimore was starting Jovaughn Gwyn, its third-string center, to start the season. But when Gwyn fractured his fibula in Week 3, Ioane stepped up to man the pivot.
At guard in the first three games, Ioane showed everything you expected. He was balanced and stout in the passing game, with strong hands and a good anchor. In the run game, he was able to create lanes by turning defenders. He's also used as a puller which he does with good athleticism and makes a block on the edge.
Ioane hasn't turned the power he generates into actually moving defenders yet, but that time will come.
Then, in Weeks 4 through 6, Ioane was playing center full time. He had good snaps, was firing off the line, and keeping his head on a swivel - pre- and post-snap. In addition to all of the positives at guard.
Ioane was set to return to guard in Week 7 after the Ravens traded for Cam Jurgens, but an MCL sprain knocked him out of the game early. Fortunately, the injury isn't expected to be a long-term setback, and there's a chance he could return soon.
Final verdict: Ioane gets the highest grade in the division because of the abilities he's shown since college, along with his unexpected versatility and success playing center. The Ravens may have found more than a starting guard. They may have landed one of the most complete young offensive linemen in the NFL.
The AFC North division has the highest number of rookie starting offensive linemen so far this season. Already seven weeks into the year, each one of those picks is looking like it will pay off.
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