Eric DeCosta didn't mince words when asked about the Ravens' failure to draft a center last weekend. "I wish I had gotten a center in the draft," the general manager admitted in his post-draft press conference. "But we didn't see enough value after missing on the top two."
That candid admission sets the stage for what promises to be a critical few weeks in Baltimore's offseason. With the 2026 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror and veteran minicamps looming, the Ravens are still hunting for their starting center. Here's what we know about DeCosta's plan, what went wrong in the draft, and how the team might solve this puzzle.
The Draft That Wasn't
DeCosta's transparency is refreshing, but it also reveals just how close the Ravens came to addressing their biggest offensive line need. According to the general manager, Baltimore had a clear hierarchy at center. The team targeted two prospects as legitimate early-round values, but when both were selected before the Ravens were on the clock, the front office pivoted.
"We had a couple of guys we really liked, but they went off the board earlier than we anticipated," DeCosta said. "After that, the value just wasn't there for us to reach."
This is classic DeCosta philosophy. The Ravens have built a reputation for not forcing picks, even when a position of need is staring them in the face. It's the same discipline that allowed them to stockpile compensatory picks and hit on mid-round gems. But it also means the team now enters May with a glaring hole at the pivot.
The Trade-Back That Didn't Happen
While the center situation dominates headlines, DeCosta also shed light on the Ravens' broader draft-day strategy. Baltimore attempted to trade back from the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, hoping to still land one of three coveted players: Penn State guard Vega Ioane, Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, or Washington edge rusher Rueben Bain.
When a trade partner couldn't be found, the Ravens stayed put and selected Ioane, whom DeCosta described as his "favorite player in the draft."
"Sometimes the board just falls a certain way," DeCosta explained. "We had three guys we would have been thrilled with in the late first or early second. But when we couldn't move back, we took the guy we loved most."
Ioane, a powerful interior lineman from Penn State, is expected to compete for the starting right guard spot immediately. But his selection also confirms that the Ravens view him strictly as a guard -- not a center conversion project. That leaves the center job wide open.
Exploring All Avenues
So what now? DeCosta laid out a clear three-pronged approach: trades, terminated veterans, and remaining free agents.
"There will be options for us," DeCosta said. "Potentially terminated vets, potentially trade options. We're going to be aggressive in finding the right fit."
1. Trade Options
The trade market is always fluid in May and June. As teams finalize their 53-man rosters in training camp, veteran centers often become available. The Ravens have a strong track record of swinging mid-summer trades for offensive linemen, and DeCosta's comments suggest he's already working the phones.
Look for teams with surplus interior linemen, especially those with veteran starters who might be pushed by younger draft picks. A player like the Los Angeles Rams' or New Orleans Saints' center could become available if those teams feel confident in their depth. The Ravens aren't afraid to part with mid-round picks for proven talent, and a starting-caliber center is worth a Day 3 selection.
2. Terminated Veterans
June 1 is the key date here. After that, teams can release players with a more favorable cap hit. Several veterans around the league are on shaky ground, and the center position is no exception. DeCosta specifically mentioned "terminated vets" as a potential source of talent -- a nod to the fact that established players will hit the open market later this summer.
The Ravens have had success with this approach before. They've signed veterans after June 1 cuts and plugged them into starting roles. A battle-tested center with experience in a zone-blocking scheme would be the ideal target.
3. Free Agency
The free agent center market has been picked over, but there are still names available. Veterans like Connor Williams (if healthy) or Ben Jones (if he decides to play another season) could be options. The Ravens also have the cap flexibility to make a competitive offer, especially if they structure the deal to backload money into future years.
DeCosta was careful not to tip his hand on specific targets, but his tone made it clear that the team is casting a wide net.
What This Means for the Roster
As it stands, the Ravens' interior offensive line consists of Tyler Linderbaum at left guard, Ioane at right guard, and a competition between Ben Cleveland, Daniel Faalele, and perhaps a late-round or undrafted free agent at center. None of those options inspire full confidence for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Linderbaum, of course, was a Pro Bowl center in his own right before moving to guard last season. Some fans have wondered if he could slide back to center, but the team appears committed to keeping him at guard -- a move that paid dividends in 2025.
The Ravens' offense relies heavily on a strong interior to pave the way for the running game and protect the quarterback on play-action. Without a reliable center, the entire operation is at risk. That's why DeCosta's urgency is warranted.
The Bigger Picture
This isn't a crisis -- yet. The Ravens have time, cap space, and a front office that has proven adept at finding value in unexpected places. But it also highlights the razor-thin margins of NFL roster building. One or two draft picks going differently, and Baltimore might have its center of the future.
Instead, DeCosta is left to work the margins. For a general manager who prides himself on draft-day efficiency, that has to sting. But if history is any guide, the Ravens will find a solution -- even if it's not the one they originally wanted.
"We're not done building this roster," DeCosta said. "We never are."
For Ravens fans, that's both a promise and a warning. The next move is coming. The only question is who will be snapping the ball on opening day.