The Work is Not Done!

But This Ravens Team is Taking Shape

The Center of Attention

As visions of electric wide receivers, fear-provoking edge rushers and sticky cornerbacks danced in the heads of many of the Flock faithful, there was seemingly one overriding mission for Eric DeCosta and the rest of the talent-gathering team in Owings Mills for this year’s draft — get a center. To be more precise, a starting center who could help spring holes for Derrick Henry, help build a pocket for Lamar Jackson and be so perfectly consistent with his snaps that it truly becomes routine.

It didn’t happen. At least, not in the form of a no-brainer day-one starter who would come in and man the pivot for the next four years, à la his predecessor, Tyler Linderbaum. Yes, they selected Evan Beerntsen in the seventh-round, and there is speculation his future might end up at center, but that doesn’t exactly put to rest any concerns for the position.

But here’s the thing: The Ravens didn’t have to come out of the draft with a center, did they? The draft is a way for teams to compile young, relatively-cheap labor to improve the overall talent. And the Ravens didn’t do that.

Is center still a question that needs an answer? Yes. It’s a big one. But some problems were seemingly fixed, and some important depth was added. Plus, the Ravens got tougher. And tougher is good.

Let’s see what the Ravens actually did with their 11 picks, and how those picks will impact the team in both the short- and long-term.

Holes plugged

Last year’s Ravens largely underperformed because of two specific issues on the field, in my opinion — their inability to rush the passer, and an interior offensive line that didn’t consistently do their part against opposing fronts.

On the pass-rush front, free agent signee Trey Hendrickson was a huge splash, but also expect second-rounder Zion Young to play an important role from the start. Young is a brute who looks like someone who can handle those tight end/tackle combo blocks and set a hard edge against the run in the process. The team now has an interesting mix of talents for the edge, and there is added optimism from new schemes coming in from a new coaching staff.

As for the interior offensive line, the guard spots appear to be in much better hands with veteran John Simpson and first-round pick, Vega Ioane, now manning those spots. Simpson is a smart, tough player who doesn’t miss starts, and Ioane was considered one of the few All-Pro-type talents in this draft. As for center… well, we’re not there yet.

Tough

Ioane, Young, defensive back Chandler Rivers, defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny and Beerntsen were all commended for their physicality and toughness throughout the draft process, and both new tight ends, Matthew Hibner and Josh Cuevas, are known as willing and effective blockers.

The Ravens have long been regarded as a physical team that was going to be a difficult “out” even during down seasons, because of their toughness. It feels like they’ve lost a bit of that edge in recent years, but this draft was a good step in the right direction.

Different Kinds of Weapons

Besides the tight ends, the Ravens added two big receivers to the team in the forms of Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt.

Lane is intriguing and something the Ravens just didn’t have. He’s 6’4” and jumps out of the gym, filling the highlight reels with acrobatic and one-handed catches. He’s terrific in the red zone, an area the Ravens struggled with in 2025.

Sarratt was, at times, the best player on Indiana’s national championship team, and they had the Heisman winner at quarterback, so that says a lot. Sarratt scored 44 touchdowns in his career, using physicality, size and tremendous hands to beat opponents.

How about adding a 6’3” running back who once played receiver and runs through arm tackles like a swerving force of nature who was picked by owner Steve Bisciotti? Clemson’s Adam Randall is certainly the type of weapon you could see the team wanting to find a use for as he develops.

The Leg

The Ravens need a punter, following the loss of All Pro Jordan Stout, and they drafted one in Michigan State’s Ryan Eckley. I’m going to go ahead and trust the Ravens on this one.

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/04/27/street-talk/center-of-attention-2/