Pulling out of Cleveland in November 1995, Browns owner Art Modell ripped the heart and soul out of East Ohio. Relocating to Baltimore were the beloved Browns, perennial underachievers but the embodiment of the blue-collar class associated with the city.
While the NFL brought the Browns back for the diehard fans just three years later, one could argue that Cleveland lost its most underrated budding star since Rick Vaughn: 38-year-old, first-year director of player personnel Ozzie Newsome.
In bringing Newsome to Baltimore and eventually handing him the keys to roster management, Modell arguably created the AFC’s most successful franchise over the past 25 years outside of New England (insert gripes from Pittsburgh here). Baltimore’s ascension also indirectly catapulted Cleveland to NFL’s basement over the same span.
With only two separate head coaches this century, the stability of an organization with just five losing seasons since Y2K traces directly to the Baltimore front office and, more specifically, Newsome. His first nine first-round selections with the Ravens include Jonathan Ogden, Ray Lewis, Peter Boulware, Chris McAlister, and Todd Heap –arguably the greatest draft run in the history of the sport.
Evaluating Baltimore’s draft classes over the past 20 seasons, it’s easy to point out the success of Newsome and coach John Harbaugh. Only twice since 2003 has Baltimore been slated to pick in the top 10 of the NFL Draft. Which modern class, though, would be considered Baltimore’s best?
Sports Illustrated lauded the franchise with an “A+” for its most recent draft, and after just one season, it looks as if the front office produced multiple long-time starters for the team; however, to put that class amongst the best of the past 20 years would be rash.
Without further ado…
#3 2008
Ravens quarterback (#5) Joe Flacco – Matt Slocum/AP
The Ravens front office traded down and then back up to secure Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco with the 18th pick in the first round. Flacco, who played the second half of his career at the traditional FCS power, led the Blue Hens to the National Title game during his senior season. Despite the late-season run, which included torching the Naval Academy for 434 yards and four touchdowns on the road, many pundits projected Flacco as a second or even third-round pick.
The gamble on Flacco’s talent ceiling paid off, as he started for the Ravens for 11 straight seasons. While Flacco earned only one Pro Bowl invite during his time in Baltimore, most consider the 6-foot-6 gunslinger the best quarterback in the Super Bowl era for both the Ravens and the Browns.
Known for its physical defense built on the backs of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, Baltimore’s identity shifted solely on Flacco’s shoulders in January of 2013. Versus the likes of Andrew Luck, Colin Kaepernick, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady, Flacco had one of the great runs in the history of the NFL playoffs, throwing for 1140 yards, 11 touchdowns, and zero interceptions in the 2013 playoffs en route to Baltimore’s second Lombardi Trophy.
In the second round, Baltimore selected Rutgers running back Ray Rice with the 55th pick. Despite off-field trouble that shortened his career, the 5-foot-9 bruiser started 80 games for Baltimore and earned three pro bowl appearances in the five seasons he was the full-time starter.
In addition to leading the Ravens’ offense on the ground, Rice averaged nearly 70 catches a season, making him one of the most versatile stalwarts in the league. That production is an excellent return on investment for the 7th running back selected in the 2008 draft.
#2 2003
Ravens OLB Terell Suggs (55) – Nick Wass / AP
Despite selecting Kyle Boller with the 19th pick in the 2003 draft, a pick that failed to ultimately produce despite the franchise being armed with arguably the strongest defensive infrastructure in the league, Newsome and company selected Arizona State pass rusher Terrell Suggs nine picks earlier.
Suggs, possessing an incredible combination of size and speed, quickly developed into a juggernaut off the edge in Baltimore. The surefire, soon-to-be-Hall of Fame edge rusher spent 15 seasons starting in Baltimore, finishing his career with 139 sacks, strong enough for 12th on the all-time list. Aside from Patrick Mahomes (2017) and possibly Rod Woodson (1987), Suggs is the greatest No.10 draft pick in the history of the NFL draft.
While Suggs earned annual accolades during his time in Baltimore, including the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year, the Ravens also nabbed Jarret Johnson in the 2003 draft at pick 109. The 4th round selection ultimately started for nine seasons opposite Suggs, giving the Ravens one of the strongest edge duos for nearly a decade. Johnson’s toughness and grit personified the franchise’s identity, as he once played in 129 consecutive career games.
Baltimore Ravens Greatest Draft Class: 2018
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) – ESPN
Upon closer examination, the 2018 draft class easily transcends the rest. After drafting tight end Hayden Hurst with the 25th pick, Baltimore traded back into the first round, giving up two 2nd-round selections to acquire Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson. The move turned into an absolute home run of a gamble for Baltimore because while four quarterbacks were selected in the top 10 of the 2018 draft, Jackson has not only had the best career of the bunch, he is the only AFC player outside of Patrick Mahomes to win the NFL MVP award since 2018.
At just the age of 25, Jackson, who has won 45 of his 61 career starts, already has twice as many 1,000-yard rushing seasons as Michael Vick had in his entire career. Even if Jackson and Ravens separate this offseason after struggling to come to a long-term agreement, Baltimore would surely receive two future first-round draft picks in compensation.
With the 83rd pick in round three, Baltimore selected offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Brown started for three seasons and earned two Pro Bowl appearances before being traded to Kansas City in 2021. Not only did Brown outplay his draft position by leaps and bounds during his time with the Ravens, but the draft picks the Ravens received in return for his services led to likely long-time starters Odefe Oweh and Ben Cleveland.
Three picks later, in the third round, the Ravens selected Mark Andrews, who quickly became Jackson’s favorite target while blossoming into one of the top three tight ends in the NFL. Later in round 6, Baltimore nabbed Alabama center Bradley Bozeman with pick 215. Bozeman started for Baltimore for three seasons, which is certainly much more productive than the average NFL 6th rounder.
Lastly, some will point out the miss atop the draft –Hurst, who the Ravens selected with their original first-rounder at pick 25. Hurst caught 43 passes during his two years in Baltimore before losing favor to Andrews. The Ravens, however, were able to turn around and trade Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons for a second-round draft. That pick turned into current starting running back J.K. Dobbins, who, if he can remain healthy, looks like he could be a team leader for years to come.
AFC North Greatest Draft Classes
Pittsburgh Steelers: Greatest Draft Class Of The Last 20 Years – Matthew Brown
