Ravens' Biggest Need Centered Around Lamar Jackson

ESPN analyst highlights Baltimore's need to fortify offensive line for star QB.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:23pm

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The Baltimore Ravens are facing a major offseason challenge in replacing center Tyler Linderbaum, who was a key part of their offensive line that protected star quarterback Lamar Jackson. With Linderbaum's departure and the loss of other key offensive players, ESPN's Jamison Hensley believes the Ravens' biggest need is to prioritize fortifying the interior offensive line to support Jackson.

Why it matters

The Ravens' success is heavily dependent on Lamar Jackson's ability to thrive, and having a strong offensive line in front of him is crucial. Replacing a key piece like Linderbaum is no easy task, and the Ravens will need to address this need effectively through the draft or trades in order to give Jackson the protection he needs to lead the team to a potential Super Bowl run.

The details

The Ravens lost starting center Tyler Linderbaum and tight end Isaiah Likely in the offseason, leaving two major holes on the offensive side of the ball. While the team signed longtime backup center Danny Pinter, ESPN's Jamison Hensley believes the Ravens should target a center early in the draft, either in the first or second round, to ensure they have a quality starter to anchor the interior line for Lamar Jackson.

  • The Ravens are coming off a disappointing 2025 season, leading them to have a high draft pick in 2026.

The players

Lamar Jackson

The Ravens' star quarterback whose success is heavily dependent on the strength of the offensive line in front of him.

Tyler Linderbaum

The Ravens' former starting center who was a key part of the offensive line protecting Lamar Jackson.

Danny Pinter

A longtime backup center who the Ravens signed in free agency to potentially replace Linderbaum.

Jamison Hensley

An ESPN analyst who highlighted the Ravens' need to prioritize the offensive line in the offseason to support Lamar Jackson.

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What they’re saying

“The Ravens' biggest need is clearly fortifying the interior offensive line for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Baltimore has the major challenge of replacing Tyler Linderbaum.”

— Jamison Hensley, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Ravens will likely target a center in the early rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft to replace Tyler Linderbaum and provide Lamar Jackson with a reliable anchor on the offensive line.

The takeaway

The Ravens' success in 2026 and beyond will hinge on their ability to effectively replace key offensive pieces like Tyler Linderbaum and build an offensive line that can protect their star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Addressing this need through the draft or trades will be crucial for the team's Super Bowl aspirations.