Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens strong draft class is responsible for late season surge

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 21: Tight End Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after catching a touchdown in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 21: Tight End Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after catching a touchdown in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Baltimore Ravens had a great 2018 NFL Draft. The draft class is helping the Ravens win games down the stretch:

Before I get into the praise of the Baltimore Ravens and Ozzie Newsome for their strong 2018 NFL Draft class, I have to address the elephant in the room. Yes, the Ravens should have taken Derwin James with their first selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. That doesn’t mean that the draft class isn’t fantastic. The Ravens rookies are one of the best elements to their playoff push.

Lamar Jackson has taken the starting quarterback job from Joe Flacco, and it looks like the Ravens are moving on from Flacco after this season. Orlando Brown Jr. is the starting right tackle, and he looks like the first round talent he was originally thought to be. Mark Andrews is a play-making tight end. The Ravens linebacking corps got greatly improved with Kenny Young and Anthony Averett is a decent defensive back.

Jackson and Brown Jr. are borderline stars for the franchise. Jackson, whether you think he should have taken Flacco’s job or not, has been the most exciting player to watch this season. While he hasn’t become a great passer to this point, he contributes as a dual threat quarterback. He’s also shown promise for the future as he clearly is talented and he obviously isn’t a done growing into the position. Brown Jr. is a good right tackle and a huge piece for the offensive line.

More from Ebony Bird

Jackson has a 4-1 record as a starting quarterback and the team has found their identity. This Ravens team can all of the sudden run the football as well as any team in the NFL. The Ravens are playing their best football of the season, and they are doing it at the right time. Jackson changed everything for this team, and he has instilled hope into the fanbase.

A good draft is comprised of either one or two superstars or a few players that contribute to winning football games. The Ravens drafted five rookies that are making a contribution to this team. Jackson and Brown Jr. look like big pieces of the Ravens future. Andrews looks like a star in the making. That alone makes the 2018 draft class a very worthy one.

Newsome gets bashed left and right for his drafting record over the past several years. He made some big mistakes. Derwin James and Stefon Diggs should have been Ravens. Breshad Perriman was a bust and Matt Elam was a disaster. Newsome is far from infallible, but he is also still very deserving of praise.

In 2016 the Ravens drafted Ronnie Stanley, Matt Judon Alex Lewis and Chris Moore. The only thing bad you can say about Stanley is that he is injury prone, but he’s been a great left tackle. Matt Judon is a very solid outside linebacker and one of the most important players on a good defense. Lewis and Moore may not be stars yet they are key players on the roster. Somehow role players always get discounted when general managers get evaluated by fans.

Next. Ravens beat Tampa Bay: 3 game balls. dark

In 2017 the Ravens selected Marlon Humphrey with their first round pick. That has absolutely worked out. Humphrey is one of the best cornerbacks in football and he may just be the best Ravens player. The Ravens may or may not be a postseason participant this year. If the Ravens do make it, be sure to credit Ozzie Newsome for patiently building this team and delivering a strong 2018 draft class.

Home/Ravens News