NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger is bullish on massive Penn State guard Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane . In fact, he's his favorite player in the 2026 NFL Draft.
"We got five weeks until the draft, I found my favorite player. I found my favorite player in the draft. I can't stop watching him. Ioane from Penn State, the left guard," Baldinger told Anthony Gargano of ALLCITY Network . "We had Tyler Booker come out last year, Grey Zabel came out, they were great players…this kid is better than both of them."
Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko also gave Ioane a ringing endorsement.
"Ioane is the best pure guard prospect since Quentin Nelson. I'd very much spend a top 10 pick on him." Fehoko wrote on X.
With Isaac Seumalo signing with the Arizona Caridnals in free agency, the Steelers have a glaring need at left guard. That's why Ioanne has been linked to the Steelers in several mock drafts. But it seems very unlikely that he would be available at No. 21. The Steelers would have to trade up to get him, and they have a ton of draft capital to do so with having 12 picks.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. had the Steelers selecting Ioane at No. 21 overall in his latest mock draft.
"Pittsburgh can try to replace Isaac Seumalo, who signed with the Cardinals," Kiper wrote Tuesday. "Ioane is the top pure guard in the class, with the power to physically move pass rushers out of the way and the light feet to erase second-level defenders. He didn't give up any sacks last season."
Kiper believes Ioane would be much more useful to McCarthy's team than reaching for a quarterback at that pick.
Unsurprisingly, Kiper had the Las Vegas Raiders taking Indiana signal-caller Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, a move that feels as if it can be written down in Sharpie at this point. The New York Jets plucked Alabama's Ty Simpson at No. 16.
"The Steelers' quarterback situation is still a big question," Kiper said. "Will Aaron Rodgers return? Will another veteran step in — such as Kirk Cousins ? Or will Pittsburgh target a signal-caller in the draft? No matter what the Steelers plan to do, the top two quarterbacks are off the board here, and there isn't a third one worthy of a Day 1 selection."
Ioane, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 320 pounds, played in 44 games for the Nittany Lions over four seasons.
"Prototypical guard for physical run schemes with thick limbs, a broad frame and plus core strength," NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in a scouting report. Ioane plays with excellent contact balance and technique on both base blocks and double teams. He uses his hips and hands for leverage and displacement when drive blocking. However, he lacks athleticism and foot quickness to operate effectively as a move blocker. He pass sets with good posture and a firm punch and can anchor against power. Though quicker at a lighter weight in 2025, he will struggle with twitchy interior defenders who cross his face in the run game and attack his edges in protection. Despite scheme dependence, Ioane projects as an early starter with a high floor."
Brendan Howe contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Brian Baldinger's Favorite Player in the Draft Could Be a Steeler
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