Baltimore Ravens: Top 5 Draft Classes of all Time
By Remy Cabache
![May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws a pass during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws a pass during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/EbonyBird-cover-26f08e406c1eceaed0d88cf61a5e986722ab33080b1012fd62e5b9e501c7ac84.jpg)
#5 – 2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 NFL Draft is my fifth rated Ravens draft because it featured 4 players that can be considered good or better players for their entire careers.
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In the 1st round the Ravens drafted Haloti Ngata. Ngata was a staple of the Ravens defense for 9 years and was a key cog in the 2012 Super Bowl winning roster. Not only was he a force on the field, he was a leader on and off the field. When he was eventually traded to the Lions in the 2014 offseason his absence was noticeable. He made 5 straight Pro Bowls and was twice named a First-Team All-Pro.
Chris Chester was drafted in the 2nd round and was with the Ravens for 5 seasons. In the final three years with the Ravens he was a consistent starter. Though he wasn’t a great player he was a good starter, and since leaving the Ravens he has started all 16 games every year for the Washington Redskins and the Atlanta Falcons.
A Draft Class Filled With Value:
The Ravens 5th round pick in 2006 was Dawan Landry. Landry played with the Ravens for 5 years and next to Ed Reed formed a very good safety tandem. He was never the dominant player Reed was but as a fifth round pick he represented great value. What’s more, he spent 4 more years in the NFL as a consistent starter, though his Ravens days’ were his best.
The final notable pick of this draft for the Ravens was Sam Koch in the 6th round. Though punters don’t get a lot of attention, the fact that Koch has been the Ravens punter since he was drafted says it all. Not only has he been a staple of the Ravens special teams unit, he is part of the group of punters that have revolutionized punting.