Why Vega Ioane is the perfect fit for the Ravens

Last night, Penn State offensive guard Vega Ioane was selected as the 14th pick in the NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens. A lot of pundits had Ioane going to the Ravens as one of the surest bets of Round 1 simply because it was a perfect fit for both player and team. Ioane brings a blend of size and power that will certainly help in protecting Lamar Jackson and opening even bigger running lanes for Derrick Henry.

For Vega Ioane, there are few traits that will need to be improved upon at the NFL level, but in order to protect a more mobile QB in Lamar Jackson, he needs to be more sound in his pass blocking technique. While his frame alone is daunting to face for opposing interior pass rushers, he needs better footwork and pad levels at the NFL level to ensure Jackson stays upright.

The most important aspect of Ioane being picked as a Raven is that he can immediately step in and somewhat fill the void left behind by Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum. While he will be playing at right guard to start the season, his versatility can allow him to fill in certain roles if need be. Ultimately, Ioane is the complete all around pick that the Ravens needed.

While Ioane isn't quite the finished product, for a Ravens team screaming for help at the guard spots, he is someone that can be a plug and play type of guy in the NFL.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Why Vega Ioane is the perfect fit for the Ravens