The Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line situation is horrific. Last year, the unit put Lamar Jackson in harm’s way far too often, leading to countless injuries and constant issues on offense.
The front office has done a better job of paying attention to trenches this offseason. They signed John Simpson, which places a more reliable guard on the interior, but they may need another piece there. They also lost Tyler Linderbaum, which makes them unquestionably worse up front.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be the answer to those problems. While a center selection should come in the later rounds, a guard addition, if one does come, has been mocked to come within the first two rounds.
Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor is a tackle who could kick inside to guard at the next level. He’s said that he has met with the Ravens during the draft process. If Baltimore’s interest is real, he could be a second-round target.
Baltimore Ravens could fix glaring offensive issue with Max Iheanachor
Iheanachor has actually gotten some first-round buzz lately. In a tackle class where some of the top guys lack above-average measurables and athleticism, Iheanachor brings both of those. That could push him out of the Ravens’ reach. He wouldn’t make sense at pick 14, but if he does fall to 45, general manager Eric DeCosta should be all over him.
The Arizona State product is new to the game. He started playing in 2021, but already has some intriguing traits that make him a coveted prospect. The 22-year-old has tremendous size, athleticism, and body control. He flashes an ability to mirror defenders well, can wipe out edge benders in pass protection, and moves well laterally to get out in front in the run game.
Taking Iheanachor might be a bit of a risk. The ceiling is enticing, but the floor is also concerning. As a result of having little experience, he’s very raw. His technique is a bit underdeveloped, as his hands can miss the target, and his recognition is a tick behind.
If Simpson ends up at left guard, Iheanachor could stay on the right side, kicking over to right guard. In that role, he’d have the opportunity to become a devastating lead blocker for Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry on the run, while also holding up when facing power against interior defensive linemen. He’d be a breath of fresh air for Jackson, who hasn’t had a whole lot of consistency at guard in recent years.
The Ravens could honestly fix two problems with one pick by selecting a tackle with potential guard versatility. They need tackle depth, especially with Ronnie Stanley’s injury history, and their lack of starting talent at guard cannot be understated. It makes Iheanachor all the more of a fit.