Why Ravens drafted punter Ryan Eckley with NFL Draft pick

Why Ravens drafted punter Ryan Eckley with NFL Draft pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Baltimore Ravens drafted a punter.

It's not a common move, but it's what the Ravens did in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 212th pick: It's Ryan Eckley out of Michigan State.

Eckley was the Big Ten's best punter in 2025, and he's the first punter off the board in this draft.

A year after picking Tyler Loop to be their kicker with a draft pick, the Ravens do it with punter here.

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Why did the Ravens draft punter Ryan Eckley?

To put it simply: They needed one.

The Ravens have Luke Elzinga on the depth chart for competition with Jordan Stout gone, but you don't make this pick for anything but a starter.

Eckley should start in 2026.

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