As the NFL Combine takes over Indianapolis, the Baltimore Ravens are in the midst of a foundational reset. With the hires of new head coach Jesse Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, they're looking to restore elite success this fall, the focus is squarely on building the trenches.
Baltimore’s guard play was a glaring weakness in 2025, and with a philosophy built on physicality, the front office is hunting for a prototype that can move grown men against their will.
With that, their search for pure, unadulterated power could lead Ravens' scouts to a record-breaking athlete from the ACC: Georgia Tech offensive guard Keylan Rutledge.
Ravens should target Keylan Rutledge in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Target: Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
If you were to build a Ravens guard in a lab, he would look exactly like Keylan Rutledge. At 6'4", over 330 lbs, Rutledge is a bully ball specialist, a philosophy Baltimore needs to get back to. He enters the Combine as one of the most physically imposing interior prospects in the class.
- The Fit: Rutledge is an old-school mauler with a mean streak that fits the script of the AFC North. A former high school basketball standout and state-champion shot-putter, he possesses a rare combination of grip strength and explosive burst. In 2025, he didn't allow a single sack, but his real value is in the run game -- where he was one of the country's most dominant A to B run-blockers. For Doyle’s new-look offense, Rutledge offers the ability to pull, climb to the second level, and bury linebackers, creating the lanes Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson need to thrive.
- The Added Factor: Eric DeCosta has always prioritized "tougher than boot leather" players. Rutledge -- aptly nicknamed "Big Red" -- was a permanent team captain at both Middle Tennessee and Georgia Tech, showcasing the leadership Minter could eye in his rebrand. His versatility has also popped during the pre-draft process as he worked at both center and guard during the Senior Bowl, proving he can be another core piece up front within a rebuilding interior.
Why the Combine Matters
While his phone booth strength is verified, the Ravens will be hyper-focused on Rutledge’s 10-yard split and vertical jump. Because he has a stocky build, scouts want to see if his basketball-background athleticism translates to elite explosion numbers. If he posts a 10-yard split in the 1.7s, it confirms he has the suddenness to reach his spots in Baltimore's gap-scheme runs.
For a team that saw Lamar Jackson go through various injuries in 2025, adding a competitor like Rutledge on Day 2 is the most efficient way to protect the franchise’s biggest investment and win games the way Baltimore always has -- on the ground.
With Jackson's next contract looming, the front office needs to invest in some protection on the interior. Rutledge could be that guy.