
#3 – 2008 NFL Draft
If not for the events of a few offseasons ago this Draft Class would be ranked higher. And if 8 of the 10 draft picks had not been just below average at best.
The first two choices of the draft were huge pieces for the Ravens for the next 5+ years. They were Joe Flacco and Ray Rice.
In the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft the Ravens picked Joe Flacco. He he has been their franchise QB since. Since he was drafted he was played in all but the final 6 games of the 2015 NFL season (he tore his ACL in Week 10). In that time he has led the Ravens to an 83-55 record. He has won 2 division titles and 1 Super Bowl.
Must Read: Joe Flacco Has Been Put Through Tough Spots Since Super Bowl
Flacco is also 10-5 in Playoff Games and has won at least one playoff game every time he has gotten there. He has solidified the most important position on the team for the Ravens and likely will for several more years. Flacco is the franchise leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, games played and wins and makes up for a lot of the 8 missed draft picks from this draft class.
Two Key Pieces To A Super Bowl XLVII Run Makes A Great Draft
Ray Rice was the Ravens 2nd round pick and was a big, valuable asset to the team from that moment on. His rookie year wasn’t that big in terms of production but from his sophomore season on he took off and became one of the premier players on the team. In his 6 seasons with the team he amassed 6180 rushing yards, 37 rushing touchdowns, 369 receptions for 3034 yards and 6 touchdowns. Those stats meant he left the Ravens as the franchise all-time leader in yards from scrimmage. He made 3 Pro Bowls and was twice a Second-Team All-Pro.
8 out of 10 misses is bad for any draft, but the fact the Ravens got a two franchise greats with their first two selections, both of whom were key in the Ravens second Super Bowl run, trumps those 8 misses.