Five Ravens Named Best Pick Ever at Their Draft Slot, Including Three First-Rounders
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame named the best pick ever at each slot of the draft, from No. 1 to No. 224, dating back to 1967. Five of the Ravens' selections received the distinction.
Here's a look at the three Ravens first-rounders who took the top spot at their draft position:
No. 24 S Ed Reed (2002)
"Reed was a standout at the University of Miami and transformed into arguably the greatest free safety of all time. Reed was the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year, a five-time first-team All-Pro, a nine-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion. He also posted 64 interceptions and 1,590 return yards off them, an all-time record."
No. 26 LB Ray Lewis (1996)
"Lewis is on the Mount Rushmore of middle linebackers, alongside greats such as Dick Butkus, Derrick Brooks and Mike Singletary. Lewis played 17 seasons and was named a Pro Bowler on 12 occasions, was a seven-time first-team All-Pro, earned two Defensive Player of the Year awards and was named Super Bowl XXXV MVP. A first-ballot Hall of Famer, the two-time Super Bowl champ finished up with 1,568 solo tackles, an all-time record."
No. 32 QB Lamar Jackson (2018)
"Jackson is the biggest dual-threat quarterback in NFL history. Taken out of Louisville with the last pick in the first round, Jackson has helped redefine what is possible at the position, becoming a two-time MVP. He's also the best rushing quarterback ever, enjoying multiple 1,000-yard rushing campaigns including a record 1,206 rushing yards in 2019, on the way to his first MVP trophy."
Offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (No. 83) and tight end Isaiah Likely (No. 139) were the other Ravens selections who were deemed the best at their slot.
Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, the Ravens' first-ever selection in 1996, received honorable mention at No. 4, behind Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton.
Additionally, Executive Vice President and former General Manager Ozzie Newsome got the nod at No. 23, where the Hall of Fame tight end was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1978.
Current Ravens running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins also made the list. Henry was named the best pick at No. 45, where he was selected by the Tennessee Titans in 2016. Hopkins, who was drafted by the Houston Texans at No. 27 in 2013, received honorable mention behind Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino.
Jeff Zrebiec Grades Ravens' Offseason, Looks at 'Ideal' Draft Scenario
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec assessed the Ravens' offseason to this point and gave them a B grade.
"This has been a pretty routine offseason for [General Manager] Eric DeCosta and company," Zrebiec wrote. "The Ravens kept the free agents they prioritized (Ronnie Stanley, Patrick Ricard), filled a few holes with outside free agents (DeAndre Hopkins, Chidobe Awuzie) and mostly maintained what's been one of the better rosters in the NFL. Re-signing Stanley at a sensible rate just before he was set to hit the open market, where tackle-needy teams were waiting with blank checks, was a big win for Baltimore."
Zrebiec contended that DeCosta still has some work to do.
"Extensions with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry would be especially timely," Zrebiec wrote.
Turning to the draft, Zrebiec wrote: "To me, an ideal draft for the Ravens would mean checking off three of these boxes: a potential starting guard, a pass-rush threat (whether it's interior or edge), a potential starting inside linebacker and a defensive back who's at least ready to play rotational snaps from the jump. It's probably too much to ask to get all four of those, but getting three and then adding depth at other spots would be a solid draft on paper."
What Would Success in Year 2 Look Like for Ravens' Top 2024 Picks?
As the NFL world continues to look ahead to next week's draft, Press Box’s Bo Smolka revisited the Ravens' 2024 draft class and looked at what success in Year 2 might look like for them.
Here's a look at what Smolka had to say about the Ravens' top three picks from last year regarding their roles in 2025:
CB Nate Wiggins (Round 1, No. 30)
"Year 2 progress would mean: Wiggins is a 17-game starter who plays 80 to 90 percent of the defensive snaps, as he did during the final month of his rookie season. He reaches 45 tackles — Marlon Humphrey had 37 in Year 2 — 15 passes defensed and three interceptions and scores his second career touchdown. Wiggins will need to clean up his tendency to get grabby — he was flagged eight times in 2024 for pass interference, defensive holding or illegal contact — but his physicality, instincts and speed, plus a dose of Year Two confidence, should lead to a few more so-called 'splash plays' and Pro Bowl consideration."
OT Roger Rosengarten (Round 2, No. 62)
"Year 2 progress would mean: Rosengarten doesn't need to say he's 'a nobody' anymore, which is what he told Cleveland's Myles Garrett in a viral moment caught on video. (Garrett complimented Rosengarten at the time and later sent him a signed jersey.) Rosengarten again starts every game at right tackle and shows improvement as both a pass blocker and run blocker for a Ravens offense that again ranks among the best in the league."
OLB Adisa Isaac (Round 3, No. 93)
"Year 2 progress would mean: Hamstring injuries behind him, Issac becomes a situational impact edge presence with his former Penn State teammate, Odafe Oweh. The Ravens didn't make a splashy edge signing in free agency, so they continue to bank on players such as Isaac stepping forward. Tavius Robinson did that last season with 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his second season. The Ravens hope Isaac's career arc trends more like Robinson's and less like that of David Ojabo, whose career has been defined by injuries."
Draft Analyst Dane Brugler Mocks Texas Offensive Lineman to Ravens in First Round
The Athletic’s draft analyst Dane Brugler released his seven-round mock draft. He had the Ravens selecting Texas offensive tackle/guard Kelvin Banks Jr. in the first round at No. 27.
"Ronnie Stanley returning to Baltimore lessens the need here, but Banks would compete with Andrew Vorhees for the starting left guard spot in Year 1, while giving the Ravens much needed tackle depth behind Stanley and Roger Rosengarten," Brugler wrote. "Adding Banks would help turn the offensive line into a strength for Baltimore."
Brugler mocked Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts to Baltimore in the second round (No. 59) and Louisville edge rusher Ashton Gillotte in the third (No. 91).
"Persistent, fast and physical, Gillotte screams 'Ravens-like pass rusher,'" Brugler wrote. "He might not check every box (which is why he is expected to be drafted in this range), but he was constantly in the backfield on each tape studied."
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: Three Potential Draft Picks the Ravens Might Gladly Catch if They Fall
- Veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell confirmed on NFL Network’s “The Insiders” that the Ravens were among the teams interested in him this offseason before he signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
- Press Box’s Glenn Clark sings the praises of recently retired defensive tackle Michael Pierce.
