OTL: As Draft Approaches, Where do Roster Holes Remain?

There’s been plenty of changeover in the NFL this offseason, and with the draft slowly approaching, there’s a chance for even more change as time unfolds. We’ve seen teams change the entire outlook on their upcoming seasons through the draft and free agency, as well as pick up those last remaining pieces to build a contender. For the Ravens, the 2026 NFL Draft will give them an opportunity to fill their holes, as well as round out their remaining positional depth. Baltimore lost a plethora of homegrown free agents during the opening of free agency this year, leaving the roster with some clear holes ahead of Jesse Minter’s first season as head coach.

With the first wave of free agency complete and the draft right around the corner, what positions could the Ravens look to address with their 11 upcoming picks?

Interior Offensive Line

Offensive line is, without a doubt, the biggest question mark for the Ravens entering the 2026 draft. The Ravens are set to enter the 2026 season down two starters from their offensive line a year ago, with Tyler Linderbaum signing with Vegas, and Daniel Faalele still on the open market. With former Jets guard John Simpson returning on a three-year deal, it gives the Ravens some freedom with their 14th overall pick.

Should the offensive line be their target, Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane could find himself blocking for Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in Week 1. Ioane didn’t test during Penn State’s pro day, but participated in multiple on-field drills, while Ravens offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford stayed close to Ioane throughout the day. It’s always a gamble to take a guard early in the first round, but at the end of the day, every draft pick is essentially a gamble. Seattle is the most recent example of a first-round guard becoming a home run pick, as they grabbed Grey Zable a year ago before their run to a Super Bowl.

Ioane could piece in as an immediate starter, leaving just the center position to be addressed in the potential later rounds. Andrew Voorhees remains on the roster, but after a lackluster season, his starting spot is far from secure. Ronnie Stanley, John Simpson, and Roger Rosengarten are the apparent starters at the moment, giving Baltimore a solid group to build with.

Defensive Line/Edge Rusher

It’s time to move on from the Maxx Crosby drama, whether you’re happy about the decision or not. The Ravens were still able to address the edge rusher position, bringing in Trey Hendrickson on a four-year contract. However, with just three edge rushers currently under contract and questions still swirling around Nnamdi Madubukie’s future, the defensive line has to be a position Baltimore will look to address in the draft.

It’s a draft class that offers a plethora of edge rushers, with many mock drafts predicting 3-5 first-round selections at the position, with another 2-3 defensive interior selections. The Ravens are in desperate need of a game-wrecking pass rusher after managing just 30 sacks as a team a year ago. They’ve got young talent on the outside, with Tavius Robinson and Mike Green looking to take a larger role in 2026. Getting a complementary piece next to Travis Jones, however, could be the move for a team without their All-Pro DT Madubuike.

Nnamdi’s absence was clear last season in Baltimore, limiting the Ravens’ ability to get a free pass rusher on double teams, a key to their success with Madubuike on the field in 2024. There aren’t many household names remaining on the defensive line free agent market, putting the Ravens in a bit of a predicament.

Address the offensive line early, or solidify the front seven with a game-changing pass rusher?

Wide Receiver

Wide receiver seems like a yearly positional need for the Ravens, who have done a solid job of constructing a solid room of receivers for Lamar Jackson since 2023. Selecting Zay Flowers in 2023 was a great start, but 2026 seems like an opportunity to reset the outlook of the position group for the roster’s future. With Tylan Wallace heading to Cleveland and DeAndre Hopkins still on the open market, the Ravens have just four returning receivers from a season ago, including Rashod Bateman, who’s coming off an underwhelming 2025.

Despite a bigger need for other positions, many pundits have the Ravens selecting one of the top receivers in the draft with their 14th-overall pick. Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, and Jordyn Tyson are some of the top receivers in the class, with all three expected to go in the first round. It’d be the fourth time since 2019 and the seventh time in franchise history the Ravens selected a receiver in the first round, with just one receiving a second contract (Bateman) and just one reaching a Pro Bowl (Flowers). It’s a position the franchise has historically failed on in the draft, and entering the later years of Jackson’s career, one they need to hit on quickly.

Losing Wallace and both tight ends, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, puts the Ravens behind the 8-ball entering the draft.

However, with 11 picks in the draft and some solid veterans remaining in free agency, hitting on a star receiver early might not be priority number one for DeCosta and company.

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/03/26/out-to-lunch/otl-as-draft-approaches-where-do-roster-holes-remain/