The Baltimore Ravens entered the offseason with major changes, starting with the firing of longtime head coach John Harbaugh. The team has since seen several departures in free agency, with three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum emerging as the most significant loss.
Linderbaum, a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, developed into one of the league’s top centers during his four years in Baltimore. He earned Pro Bowl honors in each of the past three seasons and ranked among the best at his position, finishing tied for second in PFF Wins Above Replacement (1.15) and fourth in overall grade (87.0) among qualifying centers over that span.
However, with Linderbaum entering the final year of his contract in 2025, the Ravens were unable to reach an extension. He ultimately signed a three-year, $87 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, making him the highest-paid center in the league.
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Baltimore has yet to fully address the loss, adding only veteran center Danny Pinter on a one-year deal. However, just as they found Linderbaum in the first round in 2022, they may look to the 2026 NFL Draft for his replacement.
In Athlon’s latest mock draft, analysts Luke Easterling and Doug Farrar project the Ravens to select Spencer Fano, an offensive lineman from Utah, with the No. 14 overall pick.
"Fano is perhaps the cleanest offensive tackle prospect in this class, but he also has the ability to play all five positions along the line, and one reason I’m mocking him to the Ravens is the number of people in and around the league who believe that he could be a top-tier center over time. This is obviously valuable to the franchise after losing Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders in free agency," Farar wrote.
While selecting a center in the first round is uncommon, protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson remains a top priority. Baltimore struggled with interior pressure in 2025, making offensive line reinforcements essential, and Fano could be a strong fit.
Though he starred at right tackle for the Utah Utes, concerns about his arm length may push him inside at the next level. His versatility aligns with the Ravens' needs, and general manager Eric DeCosta has expressed confidence in his ability to play multiple positions along the line.
At 6-foot-5 and 304 pounds, Fano combines size with impressive athleticism. While there were earlier concerns about his pass protection, he showed clear improvement in 2025, refining his footwork and anchoring ability. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked sixth among tackles with at least 800 snaps, allowing just five pressures and no sacks.
Over three seasons as a starter at Utah, Fano has surrendered only three sacks, positioning him as a potential day-one starter who could step in and help fill the void left by Linderbaum on the Ravens’ offensive line.
