Ebony Bird
FanSided

A look at Ozzie Newsome’s top 5 draft classes

By Connor Brooks

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 3: Baltimore Ravens General Manager/Executive Vice President and Hall of Fame tight end, Ozzie Newsome (L), presents former offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden of the Baltimore Ravens with his Hall of Fame bust during the NFL Class of 2013 Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on Aug. 3, 2013 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 3: Baltimore Ravens General Manager/Executive Vice President and Hall of Fame tight end, Ozzie Newsome (L), presents former offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden of the Baltimore Ravens with his Hall of Fame bust during the NFL Class of 2013 Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on Aug. 3, 2013 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Ravens, Running Back, Jamal Lewis, during the game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday January 1, 2006 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns beat the Ravens 20-16. (Photo by Jamie Mullen/NFLPhotoLibrary)
Baltimore Ravens, Running Back, Jamal Lewis, during the game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday January 1, 2006 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns beat the Ravens 20-16. (Photo by Jamie Mullen/NFLPhotoLibrary) /

4. 2000 Draft Class

Notables: Jamal Lewis (1st round), Adalius Thomas (6th round), Travis Taylor (1st round)

Travis Taylor as a notable player may not excite some but he was a quality starter despite poor quarterback play for many years. He definitely didn’t give the team what a 10th overall pick should, but that isn’t my logic here. Jamal Lewis, however, gave you exactly what you want from a 5th overall pick. Lewis was a force in the league for many years, rushing for more than 10,000 yards. Adalius Thomas brought great value in the sixth round. He was a two-time first-team All-Pro and was an excellent special teams player.

3. 2008 Draft Class

Notables: Joe Flacco (1st round), Ray Rice (2nd round)

Overall, this draft wasn’t that great. However, it brought the Ravens their franchise quarterback and one of the best running backs in the game for many years. The Baltimore Ravens had been missing something since they first started and that was a quarterback. From Trent Dilfer, to Kyle Boller, to Steve McNair, none of them stuck.

Finally, Joe Flacco came in and instantly made a formidable offense to go along with a top-ranked defense. He’s brought stability to the position for years, even though it hasn’t always been pretty. Ray Rice added to that offense and became the team’s biggest playmaker for a number of years.

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