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Baltimore Ravens: Top 10 wide receivers in franchise history

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Torrey Smith #82 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after he scored a 25-yard touchdown recpetion in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Torrey Smith #82 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after he scored a 25-yard touchdown recpetion in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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31 Aug 1997: Wide receiver Michael Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens moves the ball during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Jaguars won the game, 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
31 Aug 1997: Wide receiver Michael Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens moves the ball during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Jaguars won the game, 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport /

6. Michael Jackson

I listed Michael Jackson as the most underrated wide receiver in Ravens history. Jackson was the original star at the wide receiver position for the Ravens. If I asked the average Ravens fan to name the top 10 franchise leaders in receiving yards, I am willing to bet they wouldn’t name Jackson. Jackson has the ninth most receiving yards in franchise history and was one of the top players of the early Ravens days.

The Ravens teams from 1996-1999 aren’t well remembered. The Ravens didn’t become consistent winners until they won the Super Bowl in the 2000 season. You have to remember though, how much players like Jackson meant to the city of Baltimore and the state of Maryland. Baltimore was without a team for way too long after the Colts moved to Indianapolis. Jackson was one of the most popular players at a time when Baltimore was just glad to have football back.

Jackson was a big play weapon for the purple and black. He had a career average of 15.3 yards per reception. In 1996 he scored 14 touchdowns and racked up 1,201 yards on 76 receptions. A fun fact about Jackson is that he was tied for the most touchdown receptions in the 1996 season. When Vinny Testerverde dropped back to pass Jackson was the player he felt most comfortable with in the passing attack. Jackson was the original go to guy in the history of the Baltimore Ravens. He was one of the players that moved to Baltimore when the Cleveland Browns relocated and became a whole new team.

One of the good things about ranking the top 10 players of each position group is that it shows you all of the history of the purple and black. Jackson is not the most recognizable player on this list. He’s not even close to the most famous Michael Jackson. He does deserve some recognition though, so this walk down memory lane is purposeful.

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