The Baltimore Ravens approached the 2025 NFL Draft with their usual discipline, loading up on depth and talent without ever forcing the board. But even after 11 picks, they weren’t done finding ways to bolster the trenches. Shortly after the draft wrapped up, the Ravens added another name to the competition, signing Northern Iowa offensive lineman Jared Penning as an undrafted free agent.
Penning, the younger brother of New Orleans Saints tackle Trevor Penning, brings the kind of versatility Baltimore loves to stockpile. Over the course of his college career, Penning played both right guard and left tackle at UNI, earning All-Conference honors and a spot on the Reese’s Senior Bowl watchlist. While he didn’t hear his name called over the weekend, he’ll get a real shot to prove himself in Baltimore’s retooled offensive line room.
It’s a move that fits the Ravens’ long-term plan perfectly. With Ronnie Stanley’s health always a question mark and several young linemen still developing, there’s no harm—and plenty of potential upside—in seeing what a tough, versatile prospect like Penning can offer.
Ravens’ offensive line depth continues to grow after the draft
The Ravens didn’t just invest lightly in their offensive line this offseason—they overhauled it. They re-signed Ronnie Stanley, drafted Emery Jones Jr., Carson Vinson, and Garrett Dellinger, and already have solid contributors like Tyler Linderbaum, Roger Rosengarten, and Daniel Faalele entrenched. But adding Penning signals that Baltimore knows how important depth and competition are, especially in the trenches.
Penning, at 6-foot-5 and over 310 pounds, has the frame to hold up inside or outside. He’ll enter camp fighting for a roster spot, but the pathway is real: the Ravens love multi-positional linemen who can swing between guard and tackle—they just lost their best one when Patrick Mekari left for Jacksonville—and Penning’s background gives him a shot to stick.
His brother, Trevor, came into the NFL as a first-round pick for the Saints, but his career has had its bumps and adjustments. Jared isn’t arriving with any of those same expectations, which could work in his favor. In Baltimore, development is the priority—not immediate stardom.
The Ravens’ offensive line rebuild wasn’t just about finding starters. It was about building a pipeline of talent ready to step in when needed. Signing Penning after the draft shows that approach isn’t changing anytime soon.