Why Ravens drafted punter Ryan Eckley with NFL Draft pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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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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.

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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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