Ozzie Newsome: Grading Every Ravens Draft Class

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Ozzie Newsome is one of the most respected general managers in NFL history. He has drafted hall of fame players, built two Super Bowl teams and built many great Baltimore Ravens teams. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for being one of the greatest tight ends of all time. The former Browns tight end has been just as great at being a general manager.

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Newsome has gotten a lot of flack over the years. I’ve learned to trust Newsome because more often than not he is right. How many times have Ravens fans gotten all up in arms about something, only to see it work out exactly how Newsome has planned. Newsome has a very good history but it is not perfect.

Let’s examine the draft history of the long time Ravens general manager. What patterns can we see? Through the ups and the downs, we’re about to go through the entire draft history of Ozzie Newsome and company.

Next: 1996 NFL Draft

1996 NFL Draft

Draft Grade: A

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 1: Jonathan Ogden, OT (UCLA) 4th Overall Pick
2. Round 1: Ray Lewis, LB (Miami) 26th Overall Pick
3. Round 2: De’Ron Jenkins, CB (Tennessee) 55th Overall Pick
4. Round 5: Jermaine Lewis, WR (Maryland) 153rd Overall Pick
5. Round 6: Dexter Daniels, LB (Florida) 172nd Overall Pick
6. Round 6: James Roe, WR (Norfolk State) 186th Overall Pick
7. Round 7: Jon Stark, QB (Trinity International) 238th Overall Pick

This was one of the most historical draft classes in NFL history. The Ravens had two first round picks and they spent them on two Hall of Fame Players. The Ravens got what many believe to be the greatest left tackle of all time in Ogden. Ogden was one of the most consistent players at the left tackle position, he was a truly dominant player. The Ravens also got another all-time great in Ray Lewis.

Newsome drafted the two players that he could build the team around. When you draft two players that end up enshrined in Canton (Ray Lewis will be a first ballot inductee) you’ve done something special in the NFL Draft. Jermaine Lewis was also a very nice pick. His performance as a kick returner would be very valuable to the Ravens,.

Next: 1997 NFL Draft

1997 NFL Draft:

Draft Grade A

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 1: Peter Boulware, LB (FSU) 4th Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Jamie Sharper, LB (Virginia) 34th Overall Pick
3. Round 2: Kim Herring, SS (Penn State) 58th Overall Pick
4. Round 3: Jay Graham, RB (Tennessee) 64th Overall Pick
5. Round 4: Tyrus McCloud, LB (Louisville) 118th Overall Pick
6. Round 5: Jeff Mitchell, C (Florida) 115th Overall Pick
7. Round 6: Steve Lee, FB (Indiana) 167th Overall Pick
8. Round 6: Cornell Brown, LB (VT) 194th Overall Pick
9. Round 7: Chris Ward, DE (Kentucky) 205th Overall Pick
10. Round 7: Wally Richardson, QB (Penn State) 234th Overall Pick
11. Round 7: Ralph Staten, S (Alabama) 236th Overall Pick
12. Round 7: Leland Taylor, DT (Louisville) 238th Overall Pick

Here you can see the Super Bowl XXXV team beginning to form. In the 1997 NFL Draft the Ravens first three draft picks ended up being starters for the legendary 2000 defense. Peter Boulware was the Ravens first great pass rusher. Jamie Sharper was an athletic linebacker that fit perfectly in the Ravens defense. Kim Herring was a physical safety that doesn’t get enough credit for his contribution to the team.

The Ravens had some of these picks fizzle out but that is life in the NFL Draft. At the end of the day the Ravens drafted three starters of a championship defense. They also drafted their starting center during the 2000 Super Bowl run in Jeff Mitchell. The Ravens obviously knew what they were trying to build. In their first two drafts, the Ravens drafted 7 key players to a championship team.

The Ravens quickly became respected as one of the best drafting teams in the NFL. It isn’t hard to see why. Ozzie Newsome started out on fire with the Ravens drafting.

Next: 1998 NFL Draft

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

1999 NFL Draft

Draft Grade: A-

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 1: Chris McAlister, CB (Arizona) 10th Overall Pick
2. Round 4: Brandon Stokely, WR (SW Louisiana) 105th Overall Pick
3. Round 4: Edwin Mulitalo, OL (Arizona) 129th Overall Pick
4. Round 7: Anthony Poindexter, S (Virginia)

The Ravens drafted the sixth starter on the 2000 defense with the 10th overall pick. Chris McAlister in his prime was one of the best shut down cornerbacks ever to play. He had the perfect skill set to be an aggressive cornerback. He was a physical corner that wasn’t afraid to hit running backs like a linebacker.

Brandon Stokely and Edwin Mulitalo were part of the offense that would win a Super Bowl in their second season. Mulitalo paired perfectly with Ogden on the left side of the offensive line. The Ravens knew just what to do with that combination, they ran behind those two powerful offensive linemen. Brandon Stokely was a quick slot receiver who played with a high football IQ and a lot of heart.

Next: 2000 NFL Draft

2000 NFL Draft

Draft Grade B-

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 1: Jamal Lewis, RB (Tennessee) 5th Overall Pick
2. Round 1: Travis Taylor, WR (Florida) 10th Overall Pick
3. Round 3: Chris Redman, QB (Louisville) 75th Overall Pick
4. Round 5: Richard Merer, OL (Miami) 148th Overall Pick
5. Round 6: Adalius Thomas, LB (Southern Miss) 186th Overall Pick
6. Round 6: Cedric Woodard, DT (Texas) 191st Overall Pick

The Ravens 2000 draft class boils down to two very good players and a pile of disappointment. Jamal Lewis was one of the greatest players in the Ravens history. He rushed for over 2,000 yards in the 2003 season. It was one of the greatest years a running back has ever had in the NFL. Jamal Lewis was a Ravens legend and there is no debate about that.

Adalius Thomas was the biggest steal of this draft class. He was a freak athlete who could rush the passer, cover tight ends and stuff the run. For a while he was the Ravens jack of all trades on defense. The rest of the draft class was highly disappointing. The value the Ravens got Thomas for and the impact of Lewis make up for this.

Chris Redman had potential but it never got the chance to pan out. He had one season as the Ravens starting quarterback until Brian Billick forced Kyle Boller under center.

Next: 2001 NFL Draft

2001 NFL Draft

Draft Grade A

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 1: Todd Heap, TE (Arizona State) 31st Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Gary Baxter, CB (Baylor) 62nd Overall Pick
3. Round 3: Casey Rabach, OL (Wisconsin) 92nd Overall Pick
4. Round 4: Edgerton Heartwell, LB (Western Illinois) 126th Overall Pick
5. Round 5: Chris Barnes, RB (New Mexico State) 161st Overall Pick
6. Round 6: Joe Maese, LS (New Mexico) 194th Overall Pick
7. Round 7: Dwayne Missouri, DE (Northwestern) Pick 231

Five of the Ravens seven draft picks ended up being a starter on the team at one point. Any time that happens the general manager deserves a ton of credit. Newsome brought in a Ravens legend, drafting Todd Heap with the 31st overall pick. Heap quickly emerged as one of the Ravens signature players. In his prime he was one of the top tight ends in the game. Heap is now in the Ravens ring of honor and is one of the most cherished players in the team’s history.

Gary Baxter started his career as a nickel cornerback and became a starter for the Ravens dominating defense. Baxter had six interceptions in his tenure with the Ravens. He signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2004 but Baxter had a good run with the Ravens. Casey Rabach eventually earned the starting center position before signing with the Redskins. He was a good player who was just beginning to reach his peak when he left the Ravens.

Edgerton Heartwell was looked at as somebody who may have been the next Ray Lewis. While he didn’t live up to the expectation he was a very good linebacker in the Ravens 3-4 defense. Heartwell was a big play linebacker with speed. This was a very strong draft class by the Ravens.

Next: 2002 NFL Draft

2002 NFL Draft

Draft Grade A

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 1: Ed Reed, FS (Miami) 24th Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Anthony Weaver, DE (Notre Dame) 52nd Overall Pick
3. Round 4: Dave Zastidil, P (Ohio) 112th Overall Pick
4. Round 4: Ron Johnson, WR (Minnesota) 123rd Overall Pick
5. Round 5: Terry Jones, TE (Alabama) 155th Overall Pick
6. Round 6: Lamont Brightful, DB (Eastern Washington) 195th Overall Pick
7. Round 6: Javin Hunter, WR (Notre Dame) 206th Overall Pick
8. Round 6: Chester Taylor, RB (Toledo) 207th Overall Pick
9. Round 6: Chad Williams, S (Southern Miss) 209th Overall Pick
10. Round 7: Wes Pate, QB (Stephen F. Austin) 236th Overall Pick

Obviously the Ravens first choice was a fantastic one in the 2002 draft. Reed is possibly the greatest ball-hawking free safety of all time. Anthony Weaver was a really solid player for the Ravens on the defensive line. Dave Zastidil was a valuable punter for a team that didn’t have a surplus of offensive talent. Chester Taylor was a steal in the sixth round. He added a needed counterpunch to Jamal Lewis in the running game.

The Ravens got four very good players in this draft which means it was a success. Still the Ravens inability to draft wide receivers was on full display in this draft. The Ravens drafted two receivers that didn’t pan out. To be fair however one of them was a sixth round draft pick.

Overall this draft was very good for the Ravens. Reed was beyond good for the Ravens, he was great.

Next: 2003 NFL Draft

2003 NFL Draft

Draft Grade A-

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 1: Terrell Suggs, LB (Arizona State) 10th Overall Pick
2. Round 1: Kyle Boller, QB (Cal) 19th Overall Pick
3. Round 3: Musa Smith, RB (Georgia) 77th Overall Pick
4. Round 4: Jarrett Johnson, OLB (Alabama) 109th Overall Pick
5. Round 4: Olive Mughelli, FB (Wake Forest) 134th Overall Pick
6. Round 5: Aubrayo Franklin, DT (Tennessee) 146th Overall Pick
7. Round 5: Tony Pashos, OT (Illinois) 173rd Overall Pick
8. Round 6: Gerome Sapp, S (Notre Dame) 182nd Overall Pick
9. Round 7: Trent Smith, TE (Oklahoma) 223rd Overall Pick
10. Round 7: Mike Mabry, C (UCF) 250th Overall Pick
11. Round 7: Antwoine Sanders, S (Utah) 258th Overall Pick

Terrell Suggs is one of the best outside linebackers in the history of football. Jarrett Johnson started opposite of Suggs for a long run and he was one of the Ravens most consistent players. Musa Smith was a very exciting running back. If it weren’t for the pick of Kyle Boller, this would have been a nearly perfect draft class.

I would argue that this is one of the most important draft classes the Ravens ever had. Suggs and Johnson were a dynamic duo and were part of great defenses. Suggs is ranked fourth on our list of all time greatest Ravens players. The Ravens got so much value in this draft. You have to respect the work of Newsome here.

Next: 2004 NFL Draft

2004 NFL Draft:

Draft Grade: D

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 2: Dwan Edwards, DT (Oregon State) 54th Overall Pick
2. Round 3: Devard Darling, WR (Washington St.) 82nd Overall Pick
3. Round 5: Rodrick Green, LB (Central Missouri State) 153rd Overall Pick
4. Round 6: Josh Harris, QB (Bowling Green) 187th Overall Pick
5. Round 6: Clarence Moore, WR (Northern Arizona) 199th Overall Pick
6. Round 7: Derrick Abney, WR (Kentucky) 244th Overall Pick
7. Round 7: Brian Rimpf, OL (East Carolina) 246th Overall Pick

Without a first round pick the Ravens didn’t add much to their team in this draft. Dwan Edwards was a decent player up front for the Ravens defense, that being said there were more misses than hits in this draft class. Devard Darling was an awful receiver. Clarence Moore was a disappointing receiver. He had the size and speed to be something special but he never really developed. The Ravens took three receivers in this draft and none of them were any good.

It is hard to knock the Ravens on late round picks that didn’t turn out to be diamonds in the rough. 5 of the Ravens 7 picks in this draft came in rounds 5-7. The Ravens didn’t do anything special in this draft though. The Ravens had little impact from the players drafted here.

Next: 2005 NFL Draft

2005 NFL Draft

Draft Grade: D

Ravens Selections

1. Round 1: Mark Clayton, WR (Oklahoma) 22nd Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Dan Cody, DE (Oklahoma) 53rd Overall Pick
3. Round 2: Adam Terry, OT (Syracuse) 64th Overall Pick
4. Round 4: Jason Brown, C (UNC) 124th Overall Pick
5. Round 5: Justin Green, FB (Montana) 158th Overall Pick
6. Round 6: Derrick Anderson, QB (Oregon State) 213th Overall Pick
7. Round 7: Mike Smith, LB (Texas Tech) 234th Overall Pick

This is one of the draft classes that will go down as one of the most disappointing in Ravens history. Dan Cody looked like he could have been a really good addition to the defense but injuries prevented him from doing anything of note with the Ravens. With bad knees he was released before the 2008 season. The Ravens drafted a good player with bad luck.

The Ravens didn’t add much to their team with this draft class. Mark Clayton gave the Ravens a deep threat. He had mild success with the Ravens. However in 2009 when he dropped a fourth down pass in New England, the Ravens began to lose patience with him. He was traded to the Rams shortly after. Adam Terry got some playing time at offensive tackle. He was nothing special but he wasn’t horrible either. Derrick Anderson went on to be the Cleveland Browns starter but did nothing with the Ravens.

Clayton had potential but the Ravens gave up on him. Cody had potential but he never got to show it. The rest of the draft class is rather unmemorable for the Ravens.

Next: 2006 NFL Draft

2006 NFL Draft

Draft Grade B

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 1: Haloti Ngata, DE (Oregon) 12th Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Chris Chester, OG (Oklahoma) 56th Overall Pick
3. Round 3: David Pittman, DB (NW State LA) 87th Overall Pick
4. Round 4: Demetrius Williams, WR (Oregon) 11th Overall Pick
5. Round 4: P.J. Daniels, RB (GT) 132nd Overall Pick
6. Round 5: Dawan Landry, SS (GT) 146th Overall Pick
7. Round 5: Quinn Sypniewski, TE (Colorado) 166th Overall Pick
8. Round 6: Sam Koch, P (Nebraska) 203rd Overall Pick
9. Round 6: Derrick Martin, DB (Wyoming) 208th Overall Pick
10. Round 7: Ryan LaCasse, LB (Syracuse) 219th Overall Pick

This was a classic Ravens draft. In the first round they grabbed a cornerstone player in Haloti Ngata, Chris Chester was a very good guard and the Ravens got him at a good value. The Ravens got one of the diamonds in the rough drafting Dawan Landry in the fifth round. Landry was with the Ravens from 2006-2010 and quickly became the starting strong safety. Sam Koch just represented the Ravens in the Pro Bowl and has been a capable punter for a long time.

When he was young Ngata was unlike any player in the NFL. He had a combination of size, explosive talent and quickness that offensive linemen just couldn’t deal with. He became one of the core players on the Ravens along side Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs. Ngata was a fan favorite and a hard working football player. He now plays for the Detroit Lions but he will always be a Raven in the eyes of Ravens Nation.

You cannot fault the Ravens for drafting Demetrius Williams. Williams flashed size and speed at Oregon. Yes he never developed into a successful NFL player but in the fourth round there wasn’t much risk. This however is yet another swing and a miss at the wide receiver position for the Ravens.

Next: 2007 NFL Draft

2007 NFL Draft

Draft Grade A

Ravens Selections

1. Round 1: Ben Grubbs, OG (Auburn) 29th Overall Pick
2. Round 3: Yamon Figurs, WR (Kansas State) 74th Overall Pick
3. Round 3: Marshall Yanda, OG (Iowa) 86th Overall Pick
4. Round 4: Antwann Barnes, OLB (FIU) 134th Overall Pick
5. Round 4: LeRon McClain, FB (Alabama) 137th Overall Pick
6. Round 5: Troy Smith, QB (Ohio State) 174th Overall Pick
7. Round 6: Prescott Burgess, LB (Michigan) 207th Overall Pick

The Ravens managed to draft two of the best offensive guards in football in Ben Grubbs and Marshall Yanda. Yanda is still with the team and may end up in the ring of honor someday. The Ravens also added LeRon McClain who added some power to the Ravens running game in 2008. McClain was a good blocker but his heart was set on being a star running back. His most memorable play was a long run against the Cowboys.

The Ravens also got some special teams help in this draft. Prescott Burgess became a strong tackler on the special teams units. The Ravens got a ton of talent in this draft class. Yanda may end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the future. It is definitely hard to have a problem with the work of one Mr. Newsome in this draft.

The Ravens really began to get on a roll in the NFL Draft at this point. 2004 and 2005 were not Newsome’s best work. In 2006 the Ravens turned it back around and began a stretch of dominant drafting that built a constant in the AFC playoffs from 2008-2012.

Next: 2008 NFL Draft

2008 NFL Draft:

Draft Grade: A-

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 1: Joe Flacco, QB (Delaware) 18th Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Ray Rice, RB (Rutgers) 55th Overall Pick
3. Round 3: Tavares Gooden, LB (Miami) 71st Overall Pick
4. Round 3: Tom Zibikowski, SS (Notre Dame 86th Overall Pick
5. Round 3: Oniel Cousins, OG (Texas El-Paso) 99th Overall Pick
6. Round 4: Marcus Smith, WR (New Mexico) 104th Overall Pick
7. Round 4: David Hale, OT, (Weber State) 133rd Overall Pick
8. Round 6: Haruki Nakamura, DB (Cincinnati) 206th Overall Pick
9. Round 7: Justin Harper, WR (VT) 215th Overall Pick
10. Round 7: Allen Patrick, RB (Oklahoma) 240th Overall Pick

When the Ravens drafted Joe Flacco with the 18th overall pick, they finally had their franchise quarterback. The quarterback position had been a disaster for the Ravens since 1996. The Ravens finally found their guy. Until Flacco tore his ACL this season against the Rams, he had started every game of his career. Flacco has won more road playoff games than any quarterback in NFL history and has done some amazing things for the Ravens. Needless to say the overall impact of this draft is astronomical.

The Ravens also drafted Ray Rice in the 2008 draft. Rice was one of the most electrifying players in football from 2008-2012. His production started to decline in 2013 before his off field transgressions cost him his job. We all know what happened so I will spare you the details. The Ravens got two quality special teams players in Tom Zibikowski and Haruki Nakamura. It’s easy to see why the Ravens wanted to draft Tavares Gooden. He was a middle linebacker with sideline to sideline speed from Miami. That formula worked in the past but not with Gooden.

Next: 2009 NFL Draft

2009 NFL Draft

Draft Grade: B

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 1: Michael Oher, OT (Ole Miss) 23rd Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Paul Kruger, DE (Utah) 57th Overall Pick
3. Round 3: Ladarius Webb, CB (Nicholls State) 88th Overall Pick
4. Round 5: Jason Phillips, LB (TCU) 137th Overall Pick
5. Round 5: Davon Drew, TE (East Carolina) 149th Overall Pick
6. Round 6: Cedric Peerman, RB (Virginia) 185th Overall Pick

The Ravens first three draft picks were pretty good. Michael Oher had a strong first season. His performance declined in subsequent years. The 23rd overall pick was a starter on a Super Bowl team and he was with the Ravens through 2013. Paul Kruger was a good player who could get to the quarterback and make some plays. He was nothing special though. Ladarius Webb has been a good cornerback but has been hindered by injuries throughout his career.

The Ravens drafted three players that had a large impact on the team. This means they had a successful draft in the grand scheme of things. It isn’t about every pick being great, it’s about the impact the drafted players have on the field.

Next: 2010 NFL Draft

2010 NFL Draft

Draft Grade: C-

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 2: Sergio Kindle, OLB (Texas) 43rd Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Terrence Cody, DT (Alabama) 57th Overall Pick
3. Round 3: Ed Dickson, TE (Oregon) 70th Overall Pick
4. Round 4: Dennis Pitta, TE (BYU) 114th Overall Pick
5. Round 5: David Reed, WR (Utah) 156th Overall Pick
6. Round 5: Arthur Jones, DE (Syracuse) 157th Overall Pick
7. Round 6: Ramone Harewood, OT (Moorehouse) 194th Overall Pick

This was not a banner year for Newsome and the Ravens in the NFL Draft. Simply put, their first three picks were busts. Dennis Pitta and Arthur Jones  became really good players. Finding value late in the draft helps the Ravens grade. Looking back at this draft its hard to see how Jones fell to the fifth round. He has a ton of talent.

Sergio Kindle was the Ravens first pick. The second round selection was quickly regretted when Kindle fell down a flight of stairs and broke his jaw. Terrence Cody was huge but he was also lazy and not overly athletic. He basically stole money from the Ravens. David Reed showed promise as a return specialist but then got a case of the fumbles.

Next: 2011 NFL Draft

2011 NFL Draft:

Draft Grade A-

Ravens Selections

1. Round 1: Jimmy Smith, CB (Colorado) 27th Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Torrey Smith, WR (Maryland) 58th Overall Pick
3. Round 3: Jah Reid, OT (UCF) 85th Overall Pick
4. Round 4: Tandon Doss, WR (Indiana) 123rd Overall Pick
5. Round 5: Chykie Brown, CB (Texas) 164th Overall Pick
6. Round 5: Pernell McPhee, DE (Miss St.) 165th Overall Pick
7. Round 6: Tyrod Taylor, QB (VT) 180th Overall Pick
8. Round 7: Anthony Allen, RB (GT) 255th Overall Pick

Okay the Ravens had three misses in the middle rounds but this was an important draft class. Jimmy Smith became a very good cornerback. Torrey Smith has some of the most memorable plays in Ravens history, like his game winning touchdown against the Steelers in 2011. Pernell McPhee was a stud who earned a big contract in free agency with the Bears. Tyrod Taylor was a cheap backup for Joe Flacco who is now the Buffalo Bills starter. There was obviously a ton of talent there.

The Ravens have to get some credit for their patience in this draft. It was no secret that the Ravens coveted Jimmy Smith, The Eagles were expected to take the Colorado cornerback. The Ravens waited a long time but their man was there when they were on the clock. Torrey Smith was being mock drafted to the Ravens in the first round. Getting him in the second round was tremendous value. It was also a rare hit for the Ravens at the wide receiver position.

Next: 2012 NFL Draft

2012: NFL Draft:

Draft Grade: C

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 2: Courtney Upshaw, OLB (Alabama) 35th Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Kelechi Osemele, OG (Iowa State) 60th Overall Pick
3. Round 3: Bernard Pierce, RB (Temple) 84th Overall Pick
4. Round 4: Gino Gradkowski, C (Delaware) 98th Overall Pick
5. Round 4: Christian Thompson, DB (South Carolina State) 130th Overall Pick
6. Round 5: Asa Jackson, DB (Cal Poly) 169th Overall Pick
7. Round 6: Tommy Streeter, WR (Miami) 198th Overall Pick
8. Round 7: DeAngelo Tyson, DT (Georgia) 236th Overall Pick

The Ravens once again traded out of the first round of the draft. Courtney Upshaw was the Ravens first pick. He never lived up to the Ravens expectations but he did enough to be a contributor and a situational player. Kelechi Osemele has become a star that the Ravens hope they can retain. His versatility to play left guard great and left tackle well will certainly boost his asking price. The rest of the Ravens draft class disappointed.

Gino Gradkowski may have been the worst center to ever start for the Ravens. He was undersized and he looked like a lost puppy out on the field. It is hard to see what the Ravens saw in him. Asa Jackson showed flashes of talent in the preseason but drug related suspensions derailed his career. Tommy Streeter was someone fans were excited about but the big Miami receiver failed to impress the Ravens. DeAngelo Tyson was actually a good rotational player.

Next: 2013 NFL Draft

2013 NFL Draft:

Draft Grade: C

Ravens Selections

1. Round 1: Matt Elam, S (Florida) 32nd Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Arthur Brown, LB (Kansas State) 56th Overall Pick
3. Round 3: Brandon Williams (Missouri Southern) 94th Overall Pick
4. Round 4: John Simon, DE (Ohio State) 129th Overall Pick
5. Round 4: Kyle Juszczyk, FB (Harvard) 130th Overall Pick
6. Round 5: Ricky Wagner, OT (Wisconsin) 168th Overall Pick
7. Round 6: Kappron Lewis-Moore, DE (Notre Dame) 200th Overall Pick
8. Round 6: Ryan Jensen, OL (CSU-Pueblo) 203rd Overall Pick
9. Round 7: Aaron Mellette, WR (Elon) 238th Overall Pick
10. Round 7: Marc Anthony, DB (Cal) 247th Overall Pick

All signs point to Matt Elam being a bust. Arthur Brown has struggled to get playing time and John Simon is now with the Houston Texans. Brandon Williams has become a star nose tackle. He was a steal in the third round of the draft.

Juszczyk ended up being a really nice find. He is a good blocking fullback who can also be used as a weapon in the offense. Ricky Wagner surprised many by being the starting right tackle for the Ravens. He has done a great job on the right side.

The Ravens found a interesting back up offensive lineman in Ryan Jensen. Aaron Mellette had promise but he didn’t make it with the Ravens. The Ravens draft was more disappointing than good but they got two starters at a great value in rounds four and five.

Next: 2014 NFL Draft

2014 NFL Draft:

Draft Grade: A

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 1: C.J. Mosley, LB (Alabama) 17th Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Timmy Jernigan, DT (FSU) 48th Overall Pick
3. Round 3: Terrence Brooks, S (FSU) 79th Overall Pick
4. Round 3: Crockett Gillmore, TE (Colorado State) 90th Overall Pick
5. Round 4: Brent Urban, DT (Virginia) 104th Overall Pick
6. Round 4: Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB (Coastal Carolina) 138th Overall Pick
7. Round 5: John Urschel, OG (Penn State) 175th Overall Pick
8. Round 7: Keith Wenning, QB (Ball State) 194th Overall Pick
9. Round 7: Michael Campanaro, WR (Wake Forest) 218th Overall Pick

The Ravens had a strong 2014 draft class. C.J. Mosley is a young linebacker with unlimited potential. Timmy Jernigan is a freak athlete that could develop into a superstar. The verdict is still out on Terrence Brooks but there are signs of hope there. Crockett Gillmore is one of the most promising young tight ends in the NFL. When you go down the list the Ravens hit on almost every pick.

Brent Urban finally got on the field this past season. He blocked the field goal that Will Hill took to the house for the game winning score against Cleveland. Lorenzo Taliaferro is a bowling ball kind of running back that could be tough to stop if he stays healthy. John Urschel is a capable guard with off the charts intelligence. Campanaro makes plays on the field, his problem is staying on the field. Injuries haven’t been kind to him.

Overall this is one of the better draft classes in Ravens history. Take out Keith Wenning and each player has made an impact on the Ravens.

Next: 2015 NFL Draft

2015 NFL Draft

Draft Grade B-

Ravens Selections:

1. Round 1: Breshad Perriman, WR (UCF) 26th Overall Pick
2. Round 2: Maxx Williams, TE (Minnesota) 55th Overall Pick
3. Round 3: Carl Davis, DT (Iowa) 90th Overall Pick
4. Round 4: Za’Darius Smith, OLB (Kentucky) 122nd Overall Pick
5. Round 4: Javorius Allen, RB (USC) 125th Overall Pick
6. Round 4: Tray Walker, CB (Texas Southern) 136th Overall Pick
7. Round 5: Nick Boyle, TE (Delaware) 171st Overall Pick
8. Round 5: Robert Myers, OL (Tenn St,) 176th Overall Pick
9. Round 7: Darren Waller, WR (GT) 204th Overall Pick

I’m not penalizing the Ravens for Breshad Perriman. Injuries aren’t predictable and he could still turn out to be something special. The Ravens clearly didn’t draft based on need in this draft. The Ravens drafted two tight ends when they already had Crockett Gillmore. Carl Davis joined a very crowded group of Ravens defensive linemen. But it is hard to argue with the talent they brought in.

Davis and “Buck” Allen may have been the biggest steals in the draft. Davis is a colossal space eater who shows amazing potential. Davis reminds me a little of Tony Siragusa, he could develop into that kind of player for the Ravens. Allen has a skill set very comparable to that of Ray Rice. He could prove to be the Ravens next star.

Next: Top 5 2017 NFL Draft Prospects For Ravens

There you have it. That is a synopsis of the Ravens draft history. I think it is easy to look at Newsome’s success and call him a genius. I also think its easy to look at his misses and slip into criticizing him. He has been a strong decision maker. He isn’t perfect but he has done much more right than he has done wrong.