Ravens Draft Penn State Guard with 14th Overall Pick in 2026 NFL Draft

Picking from the 14th position in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Ravens had their fair share of options. After Baltimore failed to re-sign a handful of players like Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Ar’Darius Washington, Kyle Van Noy, and many more, the Ravens turned to the draft to find the next big star. In the first 13 picks, there has been no shortage of talent, and it didn’t stop there. With the 14th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Olaivavega Iaone, guard, out of Penn State.

Born in American Samoa, Vega started playing football in high school at Graham-Kapowsin High School in Graham, Washington. He made varsity as a freshman, becoming a starter his sophomore year. By the end of his high school career, the three-star recruit was a second-team All-American by MaxPreps after helping his team to a 15–0 record and the state championship. After originally committing to play football for the Washington Huskies, Ioane de-committed and chose to play for the Penn State Nittany Lions. In four years with Penn State, the six-foot-five offensive lineman played in 44 games. In his redshirt sophomore year of 2024, Ioane became a full-time starter, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. In 2025, Ioane was a wrecking ball on the interior, earning first-team All-Big Ten and first-team All-American accolades.

Now joining the Baltimore Ravens, Ioane will have his plate full with opening holes for future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry and protecting two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. Ravens fans love this pick because it is a direct replacement for offensive guard Daniel Faalele, who was heavily criticized for the entire season. The offensive line as a whole will look different as 2022 first-round pick and Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum signed a three-year deal with the Raiders, and Faalele signed with the Giants, joining former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, players Isaiah Likely, Ar’Darius Washington, Jordan Stout, and Patrick Ricard. The Ravens still have 2016 first-round pick Ronnie Stanley and 2024 second-round pick Roger Rosengarten holding down the outside. John Simpson has returned to the Ravens through free agency, presumably to take over the LG position from either Emery Jones Jr. or Andrew Vorhees, leaving the incumbent guards to battle Vega for the starting RG position. The last question that remains on the offensive line is at center, which may be filled by Jones, Vorhees, Vega, or maybe a Day Two or Day Three selection.