Ravens Look to Draft Next Standout Center

Baltimore has a history of finding quality centers late in the draft, but they could target one earlier this year.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 1:35am

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The Baltimore Ravens are in the market for a new starting center after Tyler Linderbaum left in free agency. While the team has added some veteran depth, they could look to the draft to find their next long-term solution at the position. The Ravens have a strong track record of developing centers, with several late-round and undrafted players becoming starters and even Pro Bowlers for the franchise.

Why it matters

The center position is crucial for the Ravens' offense, which has relied on strong offensive line play to power their running game. Finding the right replacement for Linderbaum will be key to maintaining that success. The Ravens have shown they can uncover gems at the position, but they may need to invest an earlier pick this year to ensure they land their next long-term starter.

The details

The Ravens have already signed veterans Danny Pinter and Jovaughn Gwyn to add depth at center, but they could still look to the draft to find their next long-term starter. Some of the top center prospects include Spencer Fano from Utah, Logan Jones from Iowa, Sam Hecht from Kansas State, Connor Lew from Auburn, and Jake Slaughter from Florida. Each brings a different skill set, with Fano and Jones potentially being the most pro-ready options.

  • The Ravens lost Tyler Linderbaum to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency this offseason.

The players

Tyler Linderbaum

A first-round pick by the Ravens in 2022, Linderbaum went to three Pro Bowls in four seasons before leaving in free agency.

Danny Pinter

A veteran center signed by the Ravens this offseason to add depth and competition at the position.

Jovaughn Gwyn

Another veteran center signed by the Ravens this offseason to add depth and competition at the position.

Corey Bullock

Returned to the Ravens after backing up Linderbaum last season.

Eric DeCosta

The Ravens' general manager, who expressed confidence in the team's ability to draft and develop quality centers.

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What they’re saying

“I think we have a pretty good history of drafting centers. I could go back and probably give you four or five guys that we've drafted over the years that have ended up being some of the very best centers in the league. So, I'm confident we can do that.”

— Eric DeCosta, General Manager

The takeaway

The Ravens have a strong track record of finding quality centers, often in the later rounds of the draft. While they have added some veteran depth, the team may need to invest an earlier pick this year to ensure they land their next long-term starter at the position to anchor their offensive line.