Why Ravens might 'regret' using 14th overall pick in NFL Draft on unusual position

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Apr 24, 2026 - 14:36

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Why Ravens might 'regret' using 14th overall pick in NFL Draft on unusual position originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Baltimore Ravens entered the draft needing to improve the interior of their offensive line.

That's not often something teams do in the first half of the first round, though.

The Ravens had the No. 14 pick, and they did it anyway, taking offensive guard Vega Ioane out of Penn State.

He's a high-quality player, but he doesn't play one of the premium positions usually taken that high.

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Did Ravens make a mistake with 14th pick?

Only time will really tell, but there's risk here.

ESPN's Jamison Hensley called it almost immediately into question in some analysis after the selection.

"Will Baltimore regret using such a high pick on a non-premium position?" Hensley writes. "Teams are typically taking quarterbacks, wide receivers, offensive tackles, cornerbacks and edge rushers in the top half of the first round -- not interior offensive linemen. Over the past decade, only five guards have been selected in the top half of the first round: Quenton Nelson (sixth), Chris Lindstrom (14th), Alijah Vera-Tucker (14th), Kenyon Green (15th) and Tyler Booker (12th). There have been mixed results with as many Pro Bowl players (Nelson and Lindstrom) as players no longer with their original teams (Vera-Tucker and Green)."

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The reality is that a run-happy team like the Ravens certainly wants to have quality players at the guard spots.

But it's also true that Baltimore could've aimed for a higher-octane position at No. 14, too.

Vega will just have to prove that he is worth it.