Ebony Bird
FanSided

Ranking Baltimore Ravens first round picks 2010-2019

By Richard Bradshaw

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 27: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Revens from the AFC Team rolls out on a pass play during the NFL Pro Bowl Game at Camping World Stadium on January 26, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. The AFC defeated the NFC 38 to 33. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 27: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Revens from the AFC Team rolls out on a pass play during the NFL Pro Bowl Game at Camping World Stadium on January 26, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. The AFC defeated the NFC 38 to 33. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 5: A team member embraces Matt Elam #26 of the Baltimore Ravens before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 5, 2014, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 5: A team member embraces Matt Elam #26 of the Baltimore Ravens before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 5, 2014, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Matt Elam (2013):

What a bust Matt Elam was for the Baltimore Ravens. Coming off a Super Bowl XLVII title, the Ravens went into the offseason needing replacements for Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Baltimore thought they were getting the latter with the Florida product, but instead, he became one of the biggest busts in franchise history.

Elam looked like he could take over the strong safety role for the team and set a precedent early on as a hard-hitting defender. Elam was no slouch in coverage, either, as evidenced by his six career interceptions with the Gators. With the 32nd overall pick, Elam seemed like a slam dunk.

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Things didn’t go the way the Ravens hoped, as Elam struggled to see the field for one reason or another. When he did, to say he underwhelmed would be an understatement. Elam often looked lost in coverage and whiffed on tackles more than he made them. Following the 2016 season, which saw Elam get arrested during the offseason, Elam was cut from the team.

The 2013 draft class for the Baltimore Ravens was underwhelming entirely, save for Brandon Williams, but Matt Elam emphasizes just how badly the team missed on their picks. Elam is arguably the biggest bust on defense in the franchise’s history.

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