Ravens' draft plans easy to predict for ESPN

Ravens' draft plans easy to predict for ESPN originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Baltimore Ravens are under more pressure than most to nail the draft, with Jesse Minter, a first-time head coach, tasked with not only getting this team back to the playoffs but also making a Super Bowl run in 2026.

To do that, Minter and his team must fill several roster holes in the draft and free agency post-draft, with the offensive line a huge need.

The Ravens lost Tyler Linderbaum, which is a big blow, and there has to be more done to fortify the interior of the line as well.

For ESPN's Ben Solak, the path for the Ravens in the draft is rather simple, and in the first-round, all eyes should be on one player.

"Remain flexible at No. 14, but just draft Ioane if he's there," Solak writes. "Look to double-dip on the interior and add a pass catcher to challenge Flowers and Andrews."

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Ravens going offense in NFL Draft?

They could, at least initially.

With picks No. 14, No. 45, and No. 80, the Ravens address the needs Solak lays out with those selections.

After that? Baltimore has eight picks, so the franchise can still do some wheeling and dealing to get back into the meat of the draft in the middle rounds.

But the offensive line has to be a big emphasis, right? Especially in the first round, and maybe the second as well. However, if a receiver like Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson is sitting there, Baltimore might find it has to resist the urge to take them.