Ravens Center Made An Immediate Impact In Week 1

Sep 13, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Ravens Center Made An Immediate Impact In Week 1

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Wesley Dixon | Last updated Sep 17, 2026 8:30 AM ET

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According to Ravens editor Ryan Mink, Jovaughn Gwyn’s 88.2 PFF run-blocking grade was tied for the highest among NFL centers in Week 1. That is close to a dream scenario for Baltimore, which signed him to a one-year deal worth roughly $1.2 million and is already receiving bargain-level production. Gwyn is making the most of an opportunity he earned after winning the starting center job and making the first regular-season start of his NFL career.

This sort of production was especially important after Baltimore lost Tyler Linderbaum. Gwyn entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick and spent most of his first few seasons seeing limited offensive snaps. He eventually followed offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford to Baltimore, and given how effectively he helped open running lanes for Derrick Henry in Week 1, Gwyn appears to be executing his position coach’s vision well.

Creating Rushing Lanes

One of Gwyn’s better run-blocking reps came with 7:32 left in the first quarter. Henry took the handoff on an inside-zone run, with Gwyn quickly working to his right to engage Colts linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither. Henry ran between Gwyn and rookie Olaivavega Ioane for seven yards. Gwyn’s mobility stood out on the play, as his ability to reach Davis-Gaither helped keep the linebacker from meeting Henry in the gap and potentially limiting the run.

A third-quarter run with 7:07 remaining showed Gwyn’s strength as well. Henry took the handoff, avoided a tackle attempt from defensive end Jaylahn Tuimoloau after he shed his block, and burst through the lane created by Gwyn and left guard John Simpson. Gwyn’s assignment was more straightforward on this rep, but he executed it cleanly, getting his hands on linebacker Jaylon Carlies and sustaining the block long enough for Henry to reach the second level and gain 22 yards.

By the end of the night, Henry had rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. That was not all thanks to Gwyn, of course, but Baltimore repeatedly found success running through the interior when its center created space for Henry to get downhill. With the Saints’ defense ranking 22nd against the run according to NFL Pro, Henry could be in line for another heavy workload this week, which means Gwyn will once again be relied on to create movement up front.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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