NFL Draft 2026: How Penn State guard Vega Ioane fits with the Baltimore Ravens
Penn State had one player come off the board Thursday night on the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft. Offensive guard Vega Ioane heard his name called by commissioner Roger Goodell when the Baltimore Ravens selected him with the No. 14 overall pick of the draft.
How will Ioane fit with his new NFL team to begin his career? Let’s take a look.
Vega Ioane to the Baltimore Ravens
Ioane was widely regarded as one of the highest-floor players and the draft, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a high ceiling. The 6-foot-4, 323-pound guard is one of the strongest offensive linemen in the class, but isn’t exactly lacking athleticism or foot speed. The Nittany Lions trusted him to come in motion from outside to block, and he frequently was able to get to the second level of the defense and finish blocks against athletic linebackers. He’s going to be a mauler in the running game and should immediately upgrade an already elite rushing attack that features Lamar Jackson at quarterback and Derrick Henry at running back.
While he isn’t as good of a pass blocker as he is a run blocker, he’s still very good in the passing game. His wide frame makes it difficult for interior pass rushers to get by him, and his strength makes it nearly impossible to get through him. That being said, if a rusher can get him off balance, he can be beat. He’s not great at recovering when his feet aren’t underneath him and that’s something he’ll need to work on moving forward.
Ioane also carries his size very well and should be able to continue carrying the weight he played at while at Penn State. The mental side of the game is also not a concern with him. He’s aggressive until the final whistle and should be a tone-setter for the Ravens under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who will likely lean into heavy personnel and a power running game.
The newest Ravens guard was Penn State’s best offensive lineman this year and was one of the few players who didn’t see his play drop off when the season went sideways early. He’s poised to be a long-term starter in the NFL, who has a chance to be an All-Pro level player. He is highly likely to not just start, but excel right away for Baltimore.
