Every time the NFL Draft rolls around, the undrafted rookie class tends to get overlooked. Not for the Baltimore Ravens, though. They have a long history of bringing in UDFAs that eventually crack the 53-man roster, and this year might not be much different.
When you bring up Baltimore’s undrafted agreements, everyone is talking about their decision to sign Diego Pavia. But there are a few other intriguing players to land in Charm City after the 2026 NFL Draft. The best of the bunch might be Diego Pounds.
Pounds has been praised as one of the top undrafted free agents in the entire NFL and was believed to be among the top offensive tackles available. Some experts had him pegged as an early Day 3 talent. With the Ravens, who need tackle depth, there may be a clear path for him to make the 53-man roster.
Baltimore Ravens have a top UDFA waiting to stake claim for roster spot
Pounds joins a Ravens roster that lacks much talent after the two starting tackles. Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten obviously have a stranglehold on the starting jobs, but after that, it might be a real competition.
In a recent article for Baltimore Ravens on SI, Josh Reed wrote about which undrafted rookies have the best chance to make the team, and Pounds was one of the eight names listed. Reed wrote:
“At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, Pounds was viewed as one of the best undrafted signings of any team, given that most prominent draft analysts viewed him as a lock to hear his name called on Day 3.”
“He was a career left tackle and could come in and compete with 2025 fifth-rounder Carson Vinson for the primary backup blindside protector spot behind two-time Pro Bowl veteran Ronnie Stanley or just make the team as additional tackle depth.”
As Reed noted, Carson Vinson is the biggest competition to Pounds. Vinson likely has the backup blindside protector role sitting in his lap. He impressed in preseason last year, and he did a steady job in his very few regular-season reps. However, with new head coach Jesse Minter bringing in an almost entirely fresh coaching staff, Vinson could find himself right back at square one. He has to prove himself again, and he may enter a preseason battle with Pounds.
Even if Vinson wins the job, Pounds could still sneak onto the roster come time for the regular season. With Stanley’s injury history, a depth piece like Pounds can be extremely valuable. And with his size, power, and experience at left tackle in college, Pounds could be one of the favorites to win the coaches’ trust this offseason.
Looking at the rest of the depth chart, it may ultimately be smarter for Baltimore to load up on interior line depth since they lack certainty at center. However, the team did keep four tackles last year with Stanley, Rosengarten, Vinson, and Joe Noteboom, and although Noteboom provided versatility across the line, Emery Jones Jr. could be that versatile blocker in 2026. That may actually open another door for Diego Pounds.
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