Here is the all time 53 man roster of Baltimore Ravens history:
We have seen a ton of all-time Ravens lineups this year, with the 25th anniversary begging for nostalgic pieces and the global pandemic creating a screaming need for anything even slightly resembling entertainment. Well, strap in, ladies and gentlemen, for I present to you something that slightly resembles entertainment.
Today we are building an all-time Ravens 53-man roster. The team has shifted over the years, as teams are wont to do, and we have seen the Ravens line up in 4-3 and 3-4 base defenses, with the offense lining up with three tight ends, three wide receivers and, for some years during their 25-year-run, a competent starting quarterback.
We had to get creative for some of the position assignments here because we didn’t want good players left out due to an imaginary numbers game. So, without further fanfare, I present to you a list that will surely cause many of you to fire expletives at me when you are not sticking pins in a tiny voodoo doll with my name taped to its forehead.
Head coach: John Harbaugh
Brian Billick did a nice job in Baltimore, and combined with Ozzie Newsome to transform the entire culture of the organization. But Harbaugh has built a consistent winner, beating teams with Billick’s players and his own. He has shown maybe too much loyalty to some coaches over the years, and stuck players in his doghouse a bit too long, but the man wins and does so with a scrappy mentality that the people of Baltimore admire.
Offensive coordinator: Greg Roman
The only other one I would even consider is Gary Kubiak, but that was only one season, so I’m giving the edge to Roman for his ability to build around star quarterback Lamar Jackson and the enthusiasm surrounding him going into his second season as the play-caller.
Defensive coordinator: Rex Ryan
Don “Wink” Martindale also gets a ton of consideration here, and they could be flipped without much argument from me. But Ryan created a swagger-filled bully that reflected his personality, and did a great job working with the defensive linemen before getting the promotion. His influence is still seen in the Ravens’ confusing defense today.
Quarterbacks: Joe Flacco, Lamar Jackson
This is probably the easiest position group of all. Flacco gave the Ravens a chance in every single game he started for the team and became a clutch player as he progressed through his career. Jackson is probably the most dynamic offensive player the team has ever had, and his ceiling is seemingly infinite. Who’s next? Steve McNair, who had one good season? Kyle Boller, who had zero? This one was easy.
Running backs: Jamal Lewis, Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, Priest Holmes
These are not only the top-four in rushing yards for the Ravens franchise, but they were clearly the four best backs the team fielded. Lewis was an amazing pure runner and had a toughness that was obvious to all. Rice was the do-it-all physical runner and receiver who had huge moments in huge games. McGahee and Holmes were the two who came before each of the first two, and did great jobs on their own.
More from Ravens All-Time Lists
- Top 15 best draft picks in Baltimore Ravens history
- 4 most disappointing trades in Baltimore Ravens history
- Ravens Poll: 2000 Super Bowl winning team is the best in franchise history
- Ravens: 6 legends who made forgotten stops in Baltimore
- Top 5 seasons from Baltimore Ravens players of All-Time
Fullback: Vonta Leach
This one was hard. Sam Gash, Kyle Juszczyk, Lorenzo Neal, Le’Ron McClain and Alan Ricard all plastered opponents and led the way for strong running attacks, and Pat Ricard is doing the same right now for the most prolific running attack in NFL history. But Leach is the one who stood out to me the most. I’ll accept all arguments on this one, however.
Wide receiver: Derrick Mason, Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Steve Smith, Quadry Ismail, Michael Jackson
To me, Mason is the best receiver the Ravens have ever had in their history. His ability to make a corner look silly on a comeback route and his toughness push him to the top. Boldin played like a beast at all times, and was an amazing blocker, and Torrey Smith is the best homegrown receiver the Ravens have ever produced. Steve Smith was electric in his time with the team, and Ismail was the top receiving option during some tough passing years for the team. Michael Jackson posted 1,201 yards and 14 touchdowns in 1996. That has to put you on our roster.
Tight ends: Todd Heap, Dennis Pitta, Shannon Sharpe
Heap is a no-brainer on this list. His hands and toughness were remarkable, and he was incredibly athletic when he first got to the team. Pitta was a reliable target during a great run in team history and Sharpe was a star for the franchise’s first Super Bowl winner. Mark Andrews barely missed the cut here, and will probably take Sharpe’s position in another year or two.
Offensive line: Jonathan Ogden, Marshal Yanda, Ronnie Stanley, Ben Grubbs, Matt Birk, Orlando Brown, Orlando Brown Jr., Kelechi Osemele
Ogden is in the conversation as best Raven ever, and Yanda is the clear second-best lineman to suit up for the black and purple. Stanley appears to be an absolute stud, and Grubbs and Birk both contributed strong seasons for good Ravens teams. The father-son duo featuring Orlando Browns makes my all-time lineup, and a young, healthy Kelechi Osemele can play guard or tackle, and not miss a beat.
Defensive line: Haloti Ngata, Michel McCrary, Tony Siragusa, Sam Adams, Brandon Williams, Rob Burnett
Ngata was an absolute star with the Ravens, and Michael McCrary was a force of nature who never took a break. Siragusa, Adams and Williams completely dominated the interior line, while Burnett was a pass-rush weapon who shut down the run by staking his claim to a piece of real estate and not backing off without a fight. This is a destructive unit that would win games by itself.
Edge: Terrell Suggs, Peter Boulware, Elvis Dumervil, Adalius Thomas, Matthew Judon
Suggs is a franchise treasure, and is a lock for this list. Boulware was a terror to quarterbacks for the legendary 2000 defense, while Dumervil teamed with Suggs to pinch passing pockets and blow up offenses. Thomas was a weapon from any angle and position, while Judon can cover and get after the quarterback with equal skill.
Linebacker: Ray Lewis, CJ Mosley, Bart Scott, Jarrett Johnson
This one kind of baffled me, to be honest. Not Ray Lewis. That’s obviously a no-brainer. Mosley did a lot of stuff pretty good, and some stuff pretty poorly, but he was active, smart and made big plays. Scott was a great compliment to Lewis and a good leader, while Johnson set a nasty edge and started a ton of games in Baltimore. I really, really, really liked Zach Orr, but his time was just too short to include.
Cornerback: Chris McCalister, Lardarius Webb, Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith, Duane Starks, Samari Rolle
This is another position of strength for the Ravens, as one would expect. McCalister was a Hall-of-Fame talent with the Ravens, and Lardarius Webb had moments of greatness when he was healthy. Humphrey appears well on his way to stardom, and Jimmy Smith has been as good as it gets when he has not been injured. Duane Starks and Samari Rolle were dependable corners who could cover any receiver on their sides, and made big plays.
Safety: Ed Reed, Rod Woodson, Eric Weddle, Dawan Landry
Ed Reed. I think that’s all that needs to be said about the greatest player in Ravens history, in my opinion. Rod Woodson is a Hall-of-Famer who shined in Baltimore and Eric Weddle brought veteran savvy and leadership to the defense. Dawan Landry was my guy. That’s my explanation.
Returner: Jermaine Lewis
This was a toss-up with Jacoby Jones, as they were both tremendous returners who also scored in Super Bowl wins. When there’s a tie, I go for the kid who grew up in Maryland and was a Terrapin. Local boy wins.
Specialists: Justin Tucker, Sam Koch, Morgan Cox
Never break up the Wolfpack. Don’t even try.