If the Steelers want Vega Ioane, it sounds like they’ll have to make a big jump ahead of the Ravens. On the eve of the first round of the draft, everybody and their mother is predicting Baltimore will draft him. Pittsburgh’s AFC North rival is in just as dire need of a guard of his caliber, so it’s hardly a surprise.
Some prominent final mock drafts landing today:
Peter Schrager: G Vega Ioane
Matt Miller: G Vega Ioane
Lance Zierlein: G Vega Ioane
ESPN beat writers (@jamisonhensley): G Vega Ioane
The Athletic beat writers (@jeffzrebiec): G Vega Ioane— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) April 22, 2026
Ioane is widely regarded as the top pure guard in this draft, and the Steelers lost Isaac Seumalo during free agency. Perhaps they expected to, counting on their ability to draft a replacement. They currently have Spencer Anderson and free agent signee Brock Hoffman as their top options.
While the Ravens, like the Steelers, have some in-house options at guard, Vega Ioane is in a class of his own. They have Andrew Vorhees and brought back John Simpson, the latter taking over one starting spot. But Vorhees would have to earn a job, while Ioane would step right in.
The Steelers have invested heavily in their offensive line in recent drafts, though they didn’t add to the group last year. In 2023, they drafted Broderick Jones and Spencer Anderson. In 2024, they added Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick. If the season started today that quintet might be their starting lineup. Vega Ioane would immediately change the Steelers’ plans, but is it more likely they’ll see him in a Ravens uniform?
While the Ravens have Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten, with Simpson as a third starter, they lost Tyler Linderbaum and Daniel Faalele in free agency. While Vorhees started all 17 games for the Ravens last year, Vega Ioane would be a major upgrade. And they were already unhappy with the state of their offensive line, specifically at guard. They drafted Emery Jones Jr. in the third round last year, and he willl compete with Vorhees if no other competition is added. The center position is just as big of a concern, the Ravens adding Danny Pinter and Jovaughn Gwyn in Linderbaum’s stead.
The Steelers have been trying to “complete” their offensive line for years, with Seumalo the lone starter they didn’t add from the draft, but the Ravens will be major competition for Vega’s services. There is a fair chance if Baltimore addresses another need, however, he could fall that far. Dave Bryan has the Steelers drafting Ioane in his mock, and it’s certainly a possibility.
But it would require the Ravens passing on Ioane first, which they could if another highly valued prospect falls to them. It’s worth noting that GM Eric DeCosta said he believes there’s a hard fall-off in talent in the middle of the first round. They don’t have too many elite grades on prospects, and surely Ioane is one. And at least one beat writer doesn’t think the Steelers would trade up for him.
