Ozzie Newsome went out with a bang when it comes to the final draft class that he selected for the Baltimore Ravens and as years go by that 2018 class may be getting even better.

In a recent list by ESPN, that Baltimore draft class was ranked as the sixth-best in the NFL since the year 2000. That draft for the Ravens gave them their franchise quarterback, as well as a couple of other Pro Bowlers.

“This was an interesting draft because it had so many valuable players despite the Ravens whiffing on their first selection. Nine players selected by the Ravens in 2018 have accumulated at least 10 career Approximate Value points. Tight end Hayden Hurst was chosen at No. 25 but has only one season with at least 10 games started — and that was for Cincinnati in 2022. The Ravens traded back into the first round and selected quarterback Lamar Jackson with the 32nd pick. He has only won two MVP awards for them. The Ravens didn't have a second-round pick but had two in the third round, and those picks became offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who has made four Pro Bowls so far, and tight end Mark Andrews, who has made three.” – Aaron Schatz, ESPN

Ravens’ 2018 NFL Draft class

1 (25): TE Hayden Hurst

1(32): QB Lamar Jackson

3(83): OT Orlando Brown Jr. 

3(86): TE Mark Andrews

4(118): CB Anthony Averett

4(122): LB Kenny Young

4(132): WR Jaleel Scott

5(162): WR Jordan Lasley

6(190): S DeShon Elliott

6(212): OT Greg Senat

6(215): OC Bradley Bozeman

7(238): DT Zac Sieler

An interesting draft for the Ravens where their first-round pick of a tight end doesn’t really work out, but they find a Pro Bowler at the position a couple of rounds later. Andrews has nearly 5,000 yards in six seasons and 40 touchdowns to go along with it.

The second pick of the first round for the Ravens has worked out just fine. Jackson has two MVP awards to his name and has been named to the Pro Bowl three times. The dual-threat quarterback had crossed 1,000 yards rushing in two seasons.

Brown made two of his four Pro Bowls with the Ravens before landing with the Kansas City Chiefs. Bozeman started 48 straight games for Baltimore before signing with the Panthers in free agency a couple of years ago.

Since then, the Ravens have had some interesting draft classes that have a chance to be great. You can put the 2022 draft class as one that may end up being pretty special.

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