ESPN offers incredible ceiling for Ravens rookie originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Baltimore Ravens, for most, were always going to look at the interior of the offensive line early in the NFL Draft.
That was largely due to Tyler Linderbaum leaving in free agency, and the Ravens, as expected, did.
They took guard Olaivavega Ioane with the No. 14 overall pick to instantly upgrade Lamar Jackson’s protection. For first-round picks, franchises hope they will become Pro Bowlers and a key asset to their team, and Ioane is no different.
Except ESPN’s Matt Miller thinks he has All-Pro potential.
“Ioane to the Ravens was one of the most popular mock draft matches, and for good reason,” Miller wrote. “He is a powerful, experienced trench player who was a perfect selection for Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta as far as fit and value.
“In a draft in which the Ravens had 11 selections, they did great to walk out of the first round with an instant starter with All-Pro potential at a high-value position of need. That’s expert-level drafting.”
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Ravens do enough for Lamar?
Ioane is a big piece of it, as he immediately upgrades the interior and brings a nasty level of physical play to an offensive line that needs to rediscover its mojo.
USC receiver Ja’Kobi Lane is also a physical beast and could offer something different in the passing game, and looms as a matchup nightmare in the redzone.
Elijah Sarratt, Matthew Hibner, Josh Cuevas, and Adam Randall will all have the chance to stake their roster claim in training camp, but fans shouldn’t expect big things out of the gate.
But the Ravens did add some nice depth pieces and a couple of starters for Lamar. Time will tell if that’s enough.