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The Baltimore Ravens drafted a punter.
It's not a common move, but it's what the Ravens did in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 212th pick: It's Ryan Eckley out of Michigan State.
Eckley was the Big Ten's best punter in 2025, and he's the first punter off the board in this draft.
A year after picking Tyler Loop to be their kicker with a draft pick, the Ravens do it with punter here.
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Why did the Ravens draft punter Ryan Eckley?
To put it simply: They needed one.
The Ravens have Luke Elzinga on the depth chart for competition with Jordan Stout gone, but you don't make this pick for anything but a starter.
Eckley should start in 2026.
BEST DRAFT NAMES: Ephesians Prysock | R Mason Thomas | DeVonta Smith | Zxavian Harris
In 2025, he was a third-team All-American.
He averaged 48.5 yards per punt a year after averaging 47.9 yards per punt. Both those totals led the Big Ten.
Eckley can boom it, and the right-footer should start from day one. That's not a bad thing to get in the sixth round.
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