Baltimore Ravens: Top 6 players we wish stuck around longer

5. Ben Grubbs:

The Ravens actually drafted Ben Grubbs the same year that they drafted Marshal Yanda. Grubbs was a first round pick. Yanda was a third round pick. The story of Grubbs will always be tied to the story of Yanda. The Ravens easily could have decided to keep Grubbs around instead of Yanda. The fact that the Ravens even had to think about that, shows you the quality of Grubbs as a player. Yanda will be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s a matter of when and not a matter of if at all.

While the Ravens ultimately couldn’t keep two premium talent guards, that’s exactly what they had. Grubbs was a great pass blocker who just took away any momentum a defensive lineman had. Grubbs would have been worth a big money extension from the Ravens. He made his first Pro Bowl in his contract year and it was the New Orleans Saints who rewarded him with a huge pay day.

One thing about Grubbs was how dependable and consistent he was as a player. He started 125 in his career, a fun fact worth applauding. Grubbs is easily a top five offensive lineman in Ravens history. Jonathan Ogden and Marshal Yanda take first two spots. I’d probably put Ronnie Stanley next however Grubbs probably picks up the fourth ranking. Grubbs was good and a really valued member of the team.

If the Ravens could have afforded the luxury of spending at will along the offensive line they would have. You know that Ozzie Newsome wanted to. Losing a player like Grubbs is part of the business. It still couldn’t have been easy for the Ravens front office to see him take such a big pay day from the New Orleans Saints, especially because he was a first round pick.