Top 15 best draft picks in Baltimore Ravens history

2. Ed Reed, S, Ravens (24th overall – 2002)

The debate will always rage on about who was the better player between Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. This discussion isn’t really about that, and you could probably flip these two and still have a very acceptable list.

In this case, we went with Lewis over Reed, just be a smidge. The 24th overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, Reed is one of the best safeties to ever play the game and a name that will always be synonymous with the Ravens organization.

He’s a former Defensive Player of the Year, a nine-time Pro Bowler, an eight-time All-Pro, a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame, and one of the NFL’s all-time leaders in interceptions.

None of that even includes his value on and off the field as a leader. Ed Reed is a legend, but a legend who just misses out on the top spot on this list.

1. Ray Lewis, LB, Ravens (26th overall – 1996)

Ray Lewis is the greatest draft pick in Ravens history, and many would agree he’s the greatest Ravens player of all time. Much like Reed, Lewis wasn’t a high draft pick as teams were concerned about his size at the time.

All Lewis did was become maybe the best linebacker in NFL history, one of the best defensive players to ever live, and one of the most iconic players of his generation.

A 13-time Pro Bowler, 10-time All-Pro, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and a Super Bowl champion, Lewis is one of the most decorated players in recent memory.

Is he the greatest Ravens player of all time? That much is still up for debate. But it’s hard to argue that the 26th overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft isn’t the best draft pick in Ravens history.