The Baltimore Ravens won the 2018 NFL Draft. Ozzie Newsome managed to get every goal of the draft crossed off in his final draft as the Ravens’ general manager.
Newsome found the next franchise quarterback in Lamar Jackson, which should give Eric DeCosta a head start to the new era in Baltimore. Newsome found two play-making tight ends and he grabbed an offensive tackle with a high ceiling off the board. The draft ended with the purple and black filling just about every need and making 12 selections.
When the draft started Newsome and DeCosta had just eight picks. The Ravens managed to make six trades along the way to Newsome’s last pick. Baltimore was able to add value in the middle of the draft. The Ravens had two third round picks and three fourth round selections. It was a dream scenario, where everything the Ravens could hope for lined up. Before the draft the Pittsburgh Steelers looked like the only sure thing in the AFC North. Now it looks like the Baltimore Ravens will have a chance to fight for the division title. The Ravens are a much better team than they were on April 25th.
Newsome managed to get steals as the board oddly dropped in the favor of the purple and black. Lamar Jackson was a steal. At the end of the 1st round Baltimore got what could be the most talented quarterback in the NFL Draft. Orlando Brown had a bad combine but he was truly a dominant offensive tackle. The upside for Brown is through the roof and getting him in the third round is a steal. The Ravens worked the draft unlike any other team. There were some great draft classes, but the Ravens got building blocks for the present and for a bright future. Let’s break down three reasons why the Ravens are the team that shined the most in the 2018 NFL Draft.