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Ravens Turn to Draft to Reinforce Interior Line and Target Receiver

Baltimore is banking on a deep lineman class to better protect Lamar Jackson.

Overview

  • After losing three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders, the Ravens labeled the interior offensive line their top need and signed veteran Danny Pinter as short-term depth.
  • General manager Eric DeCosta said he expects to find a starting center in the draft, and evaluators describe this year’s class as unusually deep on interior linemen.
  • The arrival of offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford, praised for outside-zone expertise, has boosted confidence that a rookie or tackle-to-guard convert can be developed quickly.
  • Pundits urge Baltimore to add an impact wide receiver behind Pro Bowler Zay Flowers, noting that tight end Isaiah Likely’s exit leaves fewer proven pass targets.
  • On defense, Baltimore signed edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and hosted veteran tackle D.J. Reader for a visit while shaping personnel to Jesse Minter and Anthony Weaver’s zone-leaning approach, and they still have 11 picks to address center, receiver and defensive tackle.