Who is Olaivavega Ioane, the Baltimore Ravens' 2026 first-round draft pick?

The Baltimore Ravens selected offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane, from Penn State, with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday.

The last time the Ravens picked 14th, they selected Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton in 2022. Hamilton is a three-time NFL All-Pro for the Ravens.

Baltimore has 11 selections in the draft. On Friday, the Ravens have pick 45 in the second round and No. 80 in the third round.

The NFL Draft began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. It was the fourth year in a row that a quarterback was selected first.

Who is Olaivavega Ioane?

Vega Ioane primarily played guard at Penn State and will likely fill that role for the Baltimore Ravens.

 Ioane is listed at 6 feet, 4 inches and weighs about 320 pounds.

The Washington native started 11 games at left guard at Penn State in 2025 and started 16 at the position in 2024. Ioane was a second-team All-American last year and a first-team All-Big Ten performer.

Last season, Ioane played 311 pass block snaps and didn't allow a sack or a quarterback hit.

According to NFL.com, Ioane is a "prototypical guard for physical run schemes with thick limbs, a broad frame, and core strength. Ioane plays with excellent contact balance and technique on both base blocks and double teams."

His strengths include size and power and his ability to create leverage. NFL.com projects Ioane as an early starter with a high floor.

Ravens' need for offensive line

Offensive line was one of the Baltimore Ravens' glaring needs entering the NFL Draft. 

They lost Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason.

Ravens quarterbacks were sacked 45 times in 2025, including 38 against Lamar Jackson.

Ioane will join guards Andrew Vorhees, Emory Jones, Jared Penning, and Roger Rosengarten.