Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens: Top 10 draft picks in franchise history

By Ian Schultz

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 02: Ed Reed (L) and Ray Lewis arrive at the Fanatics Super Bowl Party at College Football Hall of Fame on January 5, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Fanatics)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 02: Ed Reed (L) and Ray Lewis arrive at the Fanatics Super Bowl Party at College Football Hall of Fame on January 5, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Fanatics) /
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7 Jan 2001: Jamal Lewis #31 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball during the AFC Divisional Playoffs Game against the Tennessee Titans at the Adelphia Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee. The Ravens defeated the Titans 24-10.Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
7 Jan 2001: Jamal Lewis #31 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball during the AFC Divisional Playoffs Game against the Tennessee Titans at the Adelphia Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee. The Ravens defeated the Titans 24-10.Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /

7. RB Jamal Lewis- Fifth overall selection in 2000

When Jamal Lewis arrived on the scene in 2000, the Ravens couldn’t have predicted that he would be the only real bright spot in an offense that went five straight games without a touchdown.

Despite losing out on the 2000 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award to Mike Anderson, Lewis delivered the mail that season totaling 1660 yards from scrimmage including six touchdowns. Lewis continued to deliver in the playoffs that season rumbling 338 yards and four touchdowns as the Ravens would win their first Lombardi Trophy.

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In his most memorable season in Baltimore, Lewis rushed for 2,066 and 14 touchdowns during the 2003 season, on his way to winning 2003 AP Offensive Player of the Year. He tallied five 1,000+ yard seasons during his six healthy years in Baltimore.

Lewis remains the Ravens all-time leading rusher with 7,801 yards and is the Ravens all-time leader in points scored for position players with 284.

6. QB Lamar Jackson– 32nd overall selection in 2018

Whether you think Lamar Jackson should be higher or lower, I have a feeling that this selection is going to draw the ire of many in the Ravens Flock so I will do the best I can to justify it.

Since this list is based solely on events that have already happened, it is hard for me to rank Jackson any higher (closer to one) than sixth. The 2019 unanimous NFL MVP has all the potential in the world to potentially top this list (WOW) by the time his tenure in Baltimore is over. Jackson led the NFL in touchdown passes last season with 36 and also broke the single season NFL record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

The Ravens are 19-3 in the regular season while Jackson has been at the helm. Unfortunately, they are 0-2 in the playoffs including last season’s embarrassing defeat to the Tennessee Titans. Had the Ravens put together a playoff run in either of Jackson’s first two performances in “the dance”, he’d rank higher.

For those of you arguing he should be ranked lower (closer to 10) or not at all ranked, I offer this retort. In one season a starting NFL QB, he became just the second player in the history of the league to be voted the unanimous MVP. If that’s not enough to land you this high on this list, I am not sure what is.

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