After revamping the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff and investing heavily in the secondary, there’s hope that work is done to strengthen this talented roster in the trenches. Doing so is certainly among the team’s top needs.
In 2022, this team drafted Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. They haven’t taken a lineman in Round 1 since then. Before 2022, the last time this team selected a lineman in Round 1 was 2016. That was Ronnie Stanley.
This April would be a nice time to revisit that strategy. No one knows what the future holds for Linderbaum, except that he will reset the market for NFL centers. Joe Notebloom and Daniel Faalele‘s time in Baltimore may be ending, but no one would argue with you if you wagered that they are both staying in town.
Sure, Notebloom is a tackle, but it’s no surprise that the Ravens need reinforcements along the offensive line’s interior. If the plan is to explore potential targets in the NFL Draft, here are a half-dozen (three guards and three centers) who make sense for this football team.
Sam Hecht, center, Kansas State Wildcats
Corey Bullock is Tyler Linderbaum’s backup. He has played 13 offensive snaps and another 55 on special teams. That isn’t quite what we would define as ‘experience.’
That’s still 68 more snaps than any rookie would have, but no one would complain if the Ravens took a center in the draft if Linderbaum left. After all, that’s how Baltimore found its three-time Pro Bowler.
Many view Hecht as the best center in this draft class, but the reviews are mixed. Some say he has below-average power. Some marvel at the job he did at Kansas State.
All agree he’s a good kid who is smart and has a solid work ethic, and honestly, with positives like that, most coaches are going to be willing to deal with the weaknesses
Olaivavega Ioane, guard, Penn State Nittany Lions
Vega Ioane earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2024. He was named a First-Team All-Big Ten mention this past season. He was also named a First-team All-American. Signs point to him being an immediate contributor once an NFL team drafts him.
Jake Slaughter, center, Florida Gators
Jake Slaughter’s start in 2024 was shaky at best, but he improved as the season progressed. This past season was very solid for the most part. A First-Team All-American in 2024. He was also named First-Team All-SEC and repeated the latter feat this season.
Chase Bisontis, guard, Texas A&M Aggies
Chase Bisontis learned at the school of hard knocks, a.k.a. the SEC. They may not dominate the college football landscape as they did in years past, but each program’s schedule is already a gauntlet.
Bisontis landed a First-Team All-SEC Freshman nod in 2023. Last season, he ended his NCAA career with Third-Team All-SEC honors.
Logan Jones, center, Iowa Hawkeyes
The last time the Ravens selected a center from Iowa, it was Linderbaum. Here’s a bold prediction. Logan Jones will be the second prospect playing that position to be drafted in April (behind Slaughter).
Like Linderbaum, Jones won the Rimington Trophy and was named a Unanimous All-American. Both honors, along with a Joe Moore Award and a First-Team All-Big Ten mention, came in 2025. A Third-Team All-Big Ten nod was awarded in 2023. His First-Team All-Big Ten mention came in 2024. Keep an eye on him as we move through the draft process.
Keylan Rutledge, guard, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Here’s one from the ACC. After transferring from the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, where he won First-team All-Conference USA honors in 2023, Keylan Rutledge enjoyed a solid two seasons with Georgia Tech.
He earned First-Team All-ACC honors in 2024 and 2025. He was also named a First-Team All-American in 2025. All of these guys would help upgrade the Ravens’ O-line. Time will tell if Baltimore shows interest in anyone.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Top interior offensive linemen for the Ravens to watch
