The Baltimore Ravens approached the 2025 NFL Draft with their trademark efficiency, strengthening their roster with depth and talent without overreaching. However, even after making 11 picks, they weren’t done reinforcing their trenches. Shortly after the draft concluded, the Ravens continued to add to their lineup by signing Northern Iowa offensive lineman as an undrafted free agent.
The younger brother of New Orleans Saints tackle, brings the kind of versatility that the Ravens value. Throughout his college career, he played both right guard and left tackle at UNI, earning All-Conference honors and a spot on the Reese’s Senior Bowl watchlist. Though he went undrafted, he’ll have a chance to prove his worth in Baltimore’s revamped offensive line room.
This signing aligns well with the Ravens’ long-term strategy. Given the uncertainty surrounding Ronnie Stanley’s health and the development of several younger linemen, adding a tough, versatile player like Penning presents no risk and plenty of upside. He’ll have the opportunity to show what he can bring to the table in Baltimore’s offensive line competition.
Ravens’ offensive line depth continues to grow after the draft
The Ravens didn’t just invest lightly in their offensive line this offseason—they overhauled it. They re-signed Ronnie Stanley, drafted Emery Jones Jr., Carson Vinson, and Garrett Dellinger, and already have solid contributors like Tyler Linderbaum, Roger Rosengarten, and Daniel Faalele entrenched. But adding Penning signals that Baltimore knows how important depth and competition are, especially in the trenches.
Penning, at 6-foot-5 and over 310 pounds, has the frame to hold up inside or outside. He’ll enter camp fighting for a roster spot, but the pathway is real: the Ravens love multi-positional linemen who can swing between guard and tackle—they just lost their best one when Patrick Mekari left for Jacksonville—and Penning’s background gives him a shot to stick.
His brother, Trevor, came into the NFL as a first-round pick for the Saints, but his career has had its bumps and adjustments. Jared isn’t arriving with any of those same expectations, which could work in his favor. In Baltimore, development is the priority—not immediate stardom.
The Ravens’ offensive line rebuild wasn’t just about finding starters. It was about building a pipeline of talent ready to step in when needed. Signing Penning after the draft shows that approach isn’t changing anytime soon.