Ranking the Ravens' first-round picks
Duane Starks, who played cornerback for the Ravens from 1998 to 2001, officially announced his retirement last week. Even though he was never an impact player after leaving the Ravens, Starks was key to the team's Super Bowl championship in January 2001.
Starks’ decision made me think about how the Ravens’ first-round picks stack up against one another (based on their career with the Ravens):
1. Ray Lewis (1996): Could go down as one of the best defensive players in NFL history.
2. Jonathan Ogden (1996): Will be remembered as the most dominant offensive tackle of his generation.
3. Ed Reed (2002): He’s currently the best ball hawk in the game.
4. Jamal Lewis (2000): Carried the Ravens offense for the final two months of the 2000 regular season and for all of 2003.
5. Chris McAlister (1999): Could have been better if he was more committed but still among the best cornerbacks from 2000 to 2006.
6. Terrell Suggs (2003): Has already forged himself as the most feared pass rusher in team history.
7. Peter Boulware (1997): Was the first dominant pass rusher in team history.
8. Todd Heap (2001): The Ravens’ all-time leader in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
9. Haloti Ngata (2006): No one is criticizing the Ravens’ decision to pick Ngata with the 12th overall pick anymore.
10. Duane Starks (1998): He had his bad games (remember Jimmy Smith?), but Starks’ strong play was pivotal in the Ravens’ championship run (remember his interception return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl?).
11. Joe Flacco (2008): Sure, fans will say this is too low. But Flacco’s one solid season can’t push him into the top 10 already. It’ll be interesting to debate where on the list he’ll end his career.
12. Ben Grubbs (2007): Should be a 10-year starter on the offensive line but he may never reach Pro Bowl level.
13. Mark Clayton (2005): The Ravens envisioned him as a No. 1 receiver. He has been an average No. 2 wideout for his career.
14. Kyle Boller (2003): Inconsistency and injuries derailed his career. Boller left the Ravens with the most passing yards in team history (7,846 yards) and the most wins by a starting quarterback (20-22 record).
15. Travis Taylor (2000): He never lived up to expectations as a top-10 pick. In his five-year run with the Ravens, he averaged 40 catches and three touchdowns per season.
Comments
First off, I wouldn't make the list longer than 10 names...
I would have to rank them a little different than you. I would put Boulware ahead of Suggs and McAlister...
1. Ray Ray
2. JO
3. Ed Reed
4. Peter Boulware
5. Ja. Lewis
6. T. Sizzle
7. T. Heap
8. H. Ngata
9. CMac
10. Starks
And leave it at there for now... Boller, Travis Taylor and Grubbs won't ever make the top 10, and Boller and Taylor shouldn't even be on the list. Clayton and Flacco will probably take the place of Starks and CMac or Jamal Lewis before it's all said and done. Overall, I like your analysis.
As a Raven fan since day one, I've seen everyone, I've watched every draft, and most of our "Ravens" come later than round one. Maybe you should do a couple more lists like, "Top 10 First Day Draft Picks" and "Top 10 Second Day Draft Picks".
I enjoyed the report though Mr. Hensley.
Posted by: RJ | May 21, 2009 7:10 AM
Ray Lewis "could" go down as one of the best defensive players in NFL history? Wow, that is a given, Ray could go down as the BEST defensive player in NFL history is more like it.
Duane Starks will always e one of my favorite Ravens of all-time. Yes he had some "bad games" but he was a baller and he and C-Mac were A+ during that unforgettable 2000 Championship run.
Very interesting that you say Ben Grubbs "may never reach Pro Bowl level." If that's the case he wil go down as a very underrated player.
Great article and this time next year you may have to revise it and place Michael Oher in there knocking Travis out.
Posted by: Me, myself and YOU! | May 21, 2009 8:07 AM
That's as good a group as any team has over the same time frame...
Posted by: Keith | May 21, 2009 8:28 AM
What, no love for Sam Koch?
Posted by: Human | May 21, 2009 9:51 AM
Taylor was the only bust in the group but clayton is coming close. I know people think kyle was a bust but I don't think the kid ever had a chance. trade when he came to the ravens with flacco and we'd have tremendously different views of each.
If his career ended tomorrow Ray Lewis WOULD go down as one of the Greatest defensive players in NFL history. I hope he holds up for 3 more years
Posted by: jamaltimore | May 21, 2009 10:19 AM
It'll be interesting to see if Flacco canbecome the Ravens all-time winnigest Qb this season. Ten wins would do it. If it happens I'm sure that will be mentioned in the lead in on Ravens' telecasts for the next few years.
Posted by: Phil | May 21, 2009 12:33 PM
Where do you think Oher will fall on this list when all is said and done?
Posted by: Chris | May 21, 2009 12:42 PM
Wow, the Ravens have drafted well!
Posted by: SB | May 21, 2009 12:58 PM
I think that's a pretty accurate order. I can argue that one person should be higher than they are, but then it's difficult to figure out who may slide.
The only change I may make is to flip flop Jamal and McAllister.
Posted by: Jason | May 21, 2009 1:06 PM
I would push Boulware up to 5. He was a beast. He still got sacks when he was double teamed (unlike Suggs in most cases) and only having one arm for games on end. He was the first "Tweener" and his attitude inspired the team. How could another player slack off if Peter is coming out of the game, getting his shoulder popped into place on the sideline, screaming in pain and then going back in the game and still creating havoc in the backfield.
I would then push Ngata up to 7. With CMac at 6, Suggs at 8 and Heap at 9.
I predict in several seasons Flacco and Ngata will eventually round out the top 5 with Lewis, Ogden and Reed.
Posted by: Big B | May 21, 2009 1:33 PM
no problems with this list though personally, i'd flip Boulware to 5 and McAlister to 7.
Posted by: dwayne | May 21, 2009 1:48 PM
huge dropoff after Grubbs...and I'll take 10 years of 'decent' anytime over these high-profile flameouts (Bosworth).
Posted by: tony savoy | May 21, 2009 2:50 PM
Hey Jamison, Good list, but Haloti Ngata needs to be in the top 5. He is the reason for our defensive ranking in the top 6 from 2005-2008!
Posted by: Wes | May 21, 2009 3:27 PM
What happened to Ben Grubbs? A guard picked that high should be a perennial pro bowl candidate, but now he just seems to be a decent player. Football Outsiders had him ranked really low in DVOA.
Posted by: Brian | May 21, 2009 5:37 PM
The fact that joe flacco is not in the top ten shows how great newsome is and how great the ravens are at drafting I think JO is no1 though and Ngata should bea little higher and jamal is two high because he never did could when it mattered. But that list is pretty good though Jamison.
Posted by: craig | May 22, 2009 1:08 AM
good list. I would put ngata and boulware 6 and 7, suggs 8. we draft pretty well. i d like to rank all the other picks( 2nd rnr and lower. that would be interesting
Posted by: dennis | May 22, 2009 6:41 AM
In reply to where Oher may end up when it's all said and done. Only time will tell, but, I think he has the tools to make the top 10.
Posted by: RJ | May 22, 2009 9:17 AM
Grubbs is pretty good. We ranked 4th in rushing, protected a rookie Qb, and never seemed to lose the short yardage battles and ran the ball right over people to end drives and games. Grubbs threw the key trap blocks a lot last year, protected Gaither's injured right shoulder on inside moves, and picked up RT pass pro on unbalanced line play action passes.
Grubbs did not play many teams that did not have a good front 4, and while he never stood out in a good way, he also never really stood out in a bad way either, and that is very good for a gaurd.
When all we really have to complain about in our 1st round picks are guys that played 5 or 6 years and just never lived up to the hype, that is sickly good scouting and selecting. Boller and Taylor may not be very good, but they are/ were a lot better than many of the players selected higher that washed out faster somewhere else.
Ray
JO
Reed
Boulware
Nagta
Sizzle
Flacco
Jamal
Cmac
Heap
Grubbs a 10 year starter would be good enough, but I think he will be be a multiple pro bowl player as our offense, especially the run game, becomes dominant.
Posted by: Jeremiah W | May 22, 2009 3:36 PM
Grubbs is a monster. He is only entering his 3rd year and some people say he wont make the Pro Bowl? Maybe not, but it'l be politics. Grubbs is already one of the best all around guards in the league. Very few lineman are excellent at run blocking AND pass protection. He is. And he will still improve. Combined with Gaither and Oher they will be the foundation for one of the best o-lines in football. And if Yanda stays healthy and we get a successor for Birk-Flacco will have all DAY to throw for his whole career. Watch out NFL
Posted by: freethoughts | May 22, 2009 5:27 PM
Earth to Human: We have much love for Sam Koch, but the keyword here is "FIRST" round draft picks. But speaking of later round picks, I really think this draft class in 2009 has some VERY interesting and PROMISING prospects!
GO RAVENS!
Posted by: Me, myself and YOU! | May 23, 2009 9:24 AM
Jamison, do you or the other Sun writers realize that there was a Ravens passing camp this week??? Your coverage was awful...
Hopefully Preston will write another lax article..
Posted by: CRZA | May 23, 2009 11:56 AM
ed reed is not the best ball hawk in the nfl. was he even playing in that afc chapionship? big players in big games, man.
Posted by: bill | May 23, 2009 5:54 PM
"HUMAN" did you even bother to read the title of this article? The title of this article makes it very clear by saying 1st round picks and NOT 6th round picks. That is why no mention of Sam Koch. You may want to consider reading the title of the article and the whole article next time before you make a comment.
Posted by: AC | May 23, 2009 9:30 PM
bill, post in the Pittsburgh Gazette. Ed Reed is a dominant safety.
Posted by: CRZA | May 24, 2009 9:27 AM
Ngata is already pro bowl caliber, and Grubbs is close. Right now you can argue that Starks is ahead of Grubbs but not Ngata. Soon Ngata and Grubbs will pass starks for sure, and heap....
Ray
JO
Reed
Jamal
CMac
Boulware
Suggs
Heap
Ngata
Starks
Flacco
Grubbs
Posted by: rayisyourdaddy | May 24, 2009 2:23 PM
Man, why all of the hating on Ben Grubbs? He is just coming into his 3rd session and it takes some of the big guys a little longer to develop like Ngata really started to dominate last year. Also, Grubbs did pretty well last year, the ravens had tons of rushing yards and didn't give up many sacks. Big guys aren't sexy picks but Ngata and Grubbs should end up in the top six with Lewis, Ogden & Flacco in terms of importance to the team. I would also look for Clayton to climb the list since he will be playing with the same QB two years in a row.
Posted by: Peter | May 26, 2009 2:53 PM
What about Kelly Gregg One of the most consistent defensive lineman. He makes Ngata look really good when hes playing, I hopeing that Clayton can live up to his potential, but Gregg is clearly the best player this team has had to come from OU, maybe even the Big 12 period.
Posted by: Sean | May 27, 2009 7:19 AM
This is my list
1. Ray Ray
2 Wacko Flacco
3 Eddie Reed
4 Peter Boulware
5 T-sizzle
6 Jon Og, I remember one play from 2005 and that was when Kyle Boller threw an interception and Jon Og hit the intercepter who funbled it and Jon fell on the ball and recovered it
7 T heap
8Haloti Ngata!
9 Grubbs, he is a beast
10 Mark Clayton, he hasnt lived up to his expectations
Posted by: Teddy | May 27, 2009 7:51 PM
Ogden, #1, Lewis #2. I never remember Ogden, when healthy, making a mistake.
Posted by: Ray | May 28, 2009 11:06 AM
If public opinion gives the kid a chance before the season starts Oher has the talent and tools to become an outstanding lineman. I always felt that Boller was a victime of the Balt media and never really had a chance in Charm City. Let's see what he does tin St Louie...
Posted by: Tom | May 29, 2009 1:35 PM
1. Ray Lewis
2. J.O
3. Ed Reed
4. Chris Mcalister
5. T Suggs
6. Jamal Lewis
7. Haloti Ngata
8. Todd Heap
9. Peter Boulware
10. Duane Starks
Posted by: justin | May 29, 2009 2:12 PM