Going into the 2026 season, the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line situation looks miles better than it did last year…for the most part.
The organization has flipped its horrendous offensive guard duo into one that could be one of the better groups in the NFL this year. Going from Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees to John Simpson and Vega Ioane is a drastic improvement that cannot be understated. For Ioane, specifically, fans should be amped to watch the first-round pick in action in 2026.
However, now the biggest question turns to the center spot. After losing Tyler Linderbaum in free agency, general manager Eric DeCosta made the very polarizing decision to skip over that need in the NFL Draft. To fill that void, though, Baltimore could turn to an undrafted free agent, and it’s a player who could be the dream running mate for Ioane. Enter Nick Dawkins.
Baltimore Ravens could give Vega Ioane a very familiar pairing on the offensive line
Nick Dawkins is part of Baltimore’s undrafted free agent class that is 19 strong. He comes from Penn State, where he was a two-year starter at center, playing alongside Vega Ioane in both of those seasons. Now, he’ll have the opportunity to continue that in Baltimore. It’ll be a tough battle, but the center spot is open for business.
In an article highlighting Dawkins’ journey to the league on baltimoreravens.com, Clifton Brown noted the 24-year-old is attacking this opportunity head-on. Brown wrote:
“The younger Dawkins joins the Ravens determined to shatter any perception that he's not good enough to make the roster or compete for a starting job. He wasn't heavily recruited out of Parkland High School in Allentown, Pa., but he became a starter his final two seasons with the Nittany Lions. That experience gives Dawkins confidence. He doesn't view himself as a long shot to make the roster, but as someone who will prove that he belongs.”
“‘I'm used to being the low man on the totem pole," Dawkins said. "When I came to Penn State, I was the lowest-rated recruit in the class. People were insinuating that I should go somewhere smaller because I wasn't going to make it at a big-time school like that.’”
That’s the type of grit and determination it’s going to take to not only win a roster spot, but also to challenge for the starting center spot. By the sounds of it, Dawkins has what it takes. And he might have the talent, too.
Currently, Dawkins is going up against Corey Bullock, Jovaugh Gwyn, and Danny Pinter for the job. There’s some experience scattered around that trio, but none truly has legit starter experience. That’s something Dawkins could take advantage of if he impresses early.
It also helps that he’ll be working alongside a fellow Penn State product in Ioane. Obviously, Ioane will be a shoo-in on the starting offensive line, and Dawkins would be lucky just to even make the 53-man roster. The chemistry between the two could pay off in each of their early season developments, though.
Regardless, it may not matter who is playing next to Ioane; he seems like a future star. And it may even be better for him if a veteran like Pinter is holding it down from the middle. However, the two Nittany Lions playing next to each other would likely be a dream scenario. It worked well at Penn State, and maybe it does in the NFL.
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