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Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta chose Vega Ioane over a "great" 2026 NFL draft pick compared to Terrell Suggs.

The Baltimore Ravens landed a gem in the first round of the NFL draft. The team drafted offensive guard Vega Ioane out of Penn State University.

The Ravens came into the draft prepared to address their offensive line and they did just that by drafting Ioane. Ioane allowed zero sacks during his collegiate 2025 season.

Ioane is predominantly a left guard, but he is getting reps at right guard during rookie minicamp.

“Vega Ioane looks every bit the part of a starting NFL guard, but the Ravens’ rookie first-round pick is making an adjustment as his career starts.” Ryan Mink wrote in a Baltimore Ravens article. “After predominantly playing left guard in college at Penn State, Ioane got work at right guard during rookie minicamp.”

New Position Takes Some ‘Getting Used to’ for Ioane

Adapting to a new position can challenging for a player, but if anybody can do it, it’s Vega Ioane.

The Ravens are long way out from announcing their starting offensive line, but it would be surprising if Vega Ioane is not in the lineup. For now, Ioane is trying to adapt to his new position.

“It’s definitely a little bit of work to get used to again, but there isn’t much to it,” Ioane said in the Baltimore Ravens article.

“There’s still a long way in determining the Ravens’ starting offensive line, and Head Coach Jesse Minter and Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle said they’ll figure out which guard plays on which side as the summer rolls on, but it’s clear that the Ravens want to get their rookie acclimated to playing both sides.” Mink wrote.

Considering how mediocre the Ravens were on the offensive line last year; they should be exploring all options right now.

Baltimore Ravens Continue to Sharpen O-Line

“Before drafting Ioane, the Ravens signed veteran John Simpson, who has played exclusively at left guard the past three seasons, including in 2023 with the Ravens.” Mink wrote.

Over the past two seasons, Vega Ioane has allowed zero sacks in over 808 snaps on offense. Last year, he recorded 298 snaps with zero sacks allowed. It’s safe to say whoever goes up against Ioane in 2026 will have their hands full.

“According to Pro Football Focus, Ioane played 135 snaps at right guard during his junior season and 149 in his sophomore year. He also played 17 snaps at center in 2024. But that’s compared to 1,349 snaps at left guard the past two seasons.” Mink wrote.

“While he’ll certainly play guard in the NFL, Ioane’s versatility to line up on either side was a bonus in the Ravens’ assessment. He credited his coach at Penn State for rotating their offensive linemen routinely at practice to get them used to it.”

According to PFF, the Baltimore Ravens offensive line ranked 17th in the NFL. This was at the fault of primarily Daniel Faalele.

Faalele, now a member of the New York Giants, allowed 30 pressures, four sacks, and three quarterback hits in 2025. With Vega Ioane serving as his replacement, he will be breath of fresh air for the Baltimore Ravens for years to come.