Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports: “There are two locks in this draft: Mendoza to the Raiders and Ioane to the Ravens. OK, so Ioane isn’t a lock, but it feels like one, seeing as how he’s the pick in every single mock you’ve read.”
Gilberto Manzano, Sports Illustrated: “The Ravens have no issues with taking an interior lineman in the first round. But this might be way too high to take a center at this spot to replace the departed Tyler Linderbaum. Instead, the Ravens can select the best guard in this draft class, one who used his elite strength to dominate opponents during his time at Penn State.”
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “Baltimore moves back and still gets its hands on a mashing guard prospect with excellent size (6-foot-4, 320 pounds) and the ability to help fortify the running game for years to come.”
Bleacher Report: “Penn State’s Vega Ioane won’t directly replace Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, but the guard’s selection helps strengthen an offensive interior that’s been weakened this offseason. Ioane brings a blend of size, strength and play-style that fits perfectly in Baltimore, even if a new coaching staff took the reins this year.”
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: “There will be a lot of teams lining up to draft Ioane if the Ravens don’t grab him here. He’s a Day 1 starter after a stellar Penn State career.”
Ayrton Ostly, USA Today: “Baltimore has plenty of needs on offense and defense but protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson is a major priority. The team takes the best player available here and upgrades the interior with the top interior offensive lineman in the class. Ioane has the mix of size, power and footwork to thrive sooner than later.”
