Ebony Bird
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Ozzie Newsome: Grading Every Ravens Draft Class

By Chris Schisler

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Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; A Baltimore Ravens fan with a bird on his helmet during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; A Baltimore Ravens fan with a bird on his helmet during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi /

1998 NFL Draft

Draft Grade: C-

Ravens Selections

  1. Round 1: Duane Starks, CB (Miami) 10th Overall Pick
  2. Round 2: Patrick Johnson, WR (Oregon) 42nd Overall Pick
  3. Round 5: Martin Chase, DT (Oklahoma) 124th Overall Pick
  4. Round 5: Ryan Sutter, S (Colorado) 133 Overall Pick
  5. Round 6: Ron Rogers, LB (Georgia Tech) 154th Overall Pick
  6. Round 6: Sammy Williams, OT (Oklahoma) 164th Overall Pick
  7. Round 7: Sam Quayle, TE (Weber State) 241st Overall Pick

This was the first average draft haul for Newsome. With the first round pick of Duane Starks the Ravens drafted the fifth starter of the 2000 defense. Other than that the Ravens didn’t get a whole lot out of this draft class. Patrick Johnson was the first warning sign that the Ravens couldn’t evaluate the wide receiver position well. You will see that the Ravens will take a chance on many receivers throughout the years and most of them have a minimal impact on the team.

The addition of Starks salvages an otherwise forgetful draft class. Starks was a great cornerback in his prime who had the ball skills to make quarterbacks pay for bad throws. Starks was undoubtedly a key player to the Ravens defense for years to come.

Next: 1999 NFL Draft

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