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The best first-round pick at every position in Ravens history
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- The best first-round pick at every position in Ravens history
The best first-round pick at every position in Ravens history
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the strongest first-round draft records in modern NFL history, and the franchise's identity was shaped from the start by two first-round picks who became all-time greats. Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis arrived in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft, giving Baltimore a Hall of Fame left tackle and a Hall of Fame linebacker before the franchise had ever played a regular-season game.
That standard has carried through much of the Ravens' history. Baltimore has found Defensive Player of the Year winners, Super Bowl champions, All-Pro defenders, franchise quarterbacks, Pro Bowl offensive linemen, and long-term starters in the first round. The Ravens have had misses, like every franchise, but their best first-round selections explain why Baltimore has been one of the NFL's most stable organizations since its arrival.
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With training camp fast approaching, we're looking at the best first-round pick at each position. This list focuses only on players drafted by the Ravens in the first round. That means franchise standouts such as Marshal Yanda, Ray Rice, Mark Andrews, Adalius Thomas, Pernell McPhee, Sam Koch, Justin Tucker, and several other key players do not qualify. It also means the rankings are based on the player's value to Baltimore, not what he did elsewhere.
Here is a position-by-position look at the best first-round picks in Ravens history.
Quarterback: Lamar Jackson, 2018
Jackson is the clear choice at quarterback and one of the most important players in franchise history. The Ravens selected him with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft after trading back into the first round, and the move changed the direction of the organization.
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Jackson became the NFL MVP in 2019, transformed Baltimore's offense, and forced the franchise to build around one of the most dynamic skill sets the position has ever seen. His running ability, arm strength, and playmaking turned the Ravens into one of the league's most difficult weekly matchups, while his regular-season production placed him among the most decorated quarterbacks of his generation.
Joe Flacco deserves a significant mention after being selected in the first round in 2008 and leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII victory with one of the greatest postseason runs by a quarterback in NFL history. Flacco's championship résumé is secure, but Jackson's peak, league-wide impact, and MVP-level production make him the top first-round quarterback in Ravens history.
Running back: Jamal Lewis, 2000
Lewis was selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft and became the most accomplished running back in Ravens history. As a rookie, he helped power Baltimore's offense during the franchise's first Super Bowl season, giving the Ravens a physical identity that matched their historic defense.
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His best season came in 2003, when he rushed for 2,066 yards and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Lewis had rare size, speed, and durability, and his ability to control games helped Baltimore win with defense, field position, and a punishing ground attack during an era when the passing game often lacked consistency.
The Ravens have had other productive backs, but Lewis stands alone among first-round selections. He was a workhorse, a record-setting runner, and one of the most important offensive players the franchise has drafted.
Wide receiver: Zay Flowers, 2023
Zay Flowers is the obvious choice at wide receiver because Baltimore's first-round history at the position is limited. The Ravens selected Hollywood Brown with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, and he gave the offense a needed vertical element during the early portion of Jackson's tenure as the starter. Brown produced 195 catches, 2,361 yards, and 21 touchdowns over three seasons with Baltimore before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals. Still, Flowers is the best ever at the position. Flowers had a breakout season in 2025 with 86 catches for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns to secure a second straight Pro Bowl selection. Flowers is the only wide receiver in franchise history to earn that distinction.
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Tight end: Todd Heap, 2001
Heap was selected with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft and became one of the most reliable offensive players in franchise history. He spent 10 seasons with Baltimore, earned two Pro Bowl selections, and set the standard at tight end before Mark Andrews later became one of the NFL's best players at the position.
Heap played during an era when the Ravens were rarely built around explosive passing offenses. He worked through the Kyle Boller years, the transition from Brian Billick to John Harbaugh, and the early portion of Flacco's career. Baltimore leaned heavily on defense, special teams, field position, and the running game, which made Heap's production even more valuable.
He became a trusted target in the middle, a red-zone threat, and one of the best offensive players the Ravens had before the franchise found more modern passing-game stability. Among first-round tight ends, Heap is the obvious choice.
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Offensive tackle: Jonathan Ogden, 1996
Ogden was the first draft pick in Ravens history, selected No. 4 overall in 1996, and he became one of the greatest offensive tackles in NFL history. He was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection, a multiple-time All-Pro, and a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee whose career helped set the standard for the franchise.
Ogden's value went beyond résumé. He gave Baltimore instant credibility, anchored the left side of the offensive line for more than a decade, and played a central role in the Ravens' first Super Bowl championship. His size, athleticism, and technique made him one of the most dominant linemen of his era.
Ronnie Stanley, selected in the first round in 2016, deserves major respect after developing into an All-Pro left tackle when healthy. Michael Oher also became a useful starter and Super Bowl champion after being selected in the first round in 2009. Ogden, however, is not only the best first-round tackle the Ravens have drafted. He is one of the best draft picks the franchise has ever made.
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Guard: Ben Grubbs, 2007
Grubbs was selected with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft and became a strong starter during an important transition period for the Ravens. Interior offensive linemen rarely become the most celebrated members of a draft class, but Grubbs gave Baltimore toughness, reliability, and quality play near the end of the first round.
He started 70 games over five seasons with the Ravens and helped stabilize the offensive line as the franchise moved from the final years before Harbaugh into the early Flacco era. His work helped support a physical running game and protect a young quarterback on teams that were regularly in the playoff mix.
Marshal Yanda is the greatest guard in Ravens history, but he was a third-round pick and does not qualify for this list. Among first-round guards selected by Baltimore, Grubbs is the clear choice.
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Center: Tyler Linderbaum, 2022
Linderbaum was selected with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft and quickly became one of the best young centers in football. His athleticism, leverage, intelligence, and fit in Baltimore's run game made him an immediate long-term piece for an offense built around Jackson's unique skill set.
The Ravens have had excellent centers in franchise history, including Matt Birk and Ryan Jensen, but this list is restricted to first-round picks drafted by Baltimore. Linderbaum fits that requirement and already looks like one of the better first-round offensive linemen the franchise has selected outside of Ogden and Stanley.
His résumé is still growing, but the position is not crowded among Ravens first-round picks. Linderbaum's early impact and long-term value make him the choice.
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Defensive end/edge rusher: Terrell Suggs, 2003
Suggs was selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft and became one of the defining players in Ravens history. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, later won NFL Defensive Player of the Year, earned seven Pro Bowl selections, and became the franchise's all-time leader in sacks.
Suggs gave Baltimore a rare combination of pass rush, edge-setting toughness, versatility, and personality. He played with the force and edge that matched the Ravens' defensive identity, and he remained a central figure from the final years of the Ray Lewis era into the team's second Super Bowl championship run.
Peter Boulware, selected in the first round in 1997, deserves a strong mention after becoming one of the franchise's first great pass rushers. Suggs gets the edge because of longevity, production, championship impact, and his place among the best defenders Baltimore has ever had.
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Defensive tackle: Haloti Ngata, 2006
Ngata was selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft and became one of the most dominant defensive linemen in Ravens history. He had the strength to control gaps, the athleticism to disrupt passing lanes, and the versatility to play across the defensive front.
Ngata earned five Pro Bowl selections with Baltimore and was a cornerstone of the defense that helped the Ravens remain one of the AFC's most physical teams. He was also part of the Super Bowl XLVII championship roster, giving Baltimore a rare interior defender who could affect the game without needing traditional sack production.
The Ravens have drafted other talented first-round defensive linemen, including Travis Jones outside of Round 1 and Nnamdi Madubuike outside of Round 1, but they do not qualify for this list. Among Baltimore's first-round defensive tackles, Ngata stands alone.
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Linebacker: Ray Lewis, 1996
Lewis was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft and became the face of the franchise. He was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl XXXV MVP, 13-time Pro Bowl selection, and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee whose impact on the Ravens is almost inseparable from the team's identity.
Lewis was the emotional and tactical center of Baltimore's defense for 17 seasons. He controlled the middle of the field, made calls, delivered game-changing plays, and became one of the most influential defensive players in NFL history. The Ravens' defensive standard begins with him.
C.J. Mosley, selected in the first round in 2014, was an excellent linebacker for Baltimore and deserves mention. Patrick Queen also developed into a productive starter after being selected in the first round in 2020. Neither comes close to Lewis, who remains the greatest first-round pick in Ravens history.
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Cornerback: Chris McAlister, 1999
McAlister was selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft and became one of the best cornerbacks in franchise history. His size, strength, and physical style fit perfectly in a defense that challenged receivers, pressured quarterbacks, and forced offenses to play under constant stress.
McAlister earned three Pro Bowl selections, was a first-team All-Pro in 2003, and was a starter on Baltimore's 2000 Super Bowl championship team. He gave the Ravens a true No. 1 cornerback and allowed the defense to stay aggressive by matching up outside.
Duane Starks, another first-round cornerback, made major contributions to the 2000 championship team and delivered an interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXV. Jimmy Smith, selected in 2011, also became a long-term starter and key contributor on the Super Bowl XLVII team. McAlister's peak, longevity, and status as one of the best defensive backs in Ravens history make him the choice.
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Safety: Ed Reed, 2002
Reed was selected with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft and became one of the greatest safeties in NFL history. His instincts, range, ball skills, and return ability made him one of the most dangerous defensive players of his generation, and his presence changed how quarterbacks attacked Baltimore's defense.
Reed was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, a multiple-time first-team All-Pro, the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. He helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII and remains one of the most iconic players the franchise has drafted.
Kyle Hamilton, selected in the first round in 2022, is already one of the NFL's most versatile defensive backs and could become one of the greatest Ravens defenders of the post-Reed era. Reed, however, remains the standard at safety and one of the easiest choices on the list.
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Special teams: None
The first-round-only rule leaves special teams without a selection. Justin Tucker is the greatest kicker in NFL history and the best special teams player the Ravens have ever had, but he was undrafted. Sam Koch was a sixth-round pick, and Morgan Cox was undrafted. None qualifies for a list limited to Ravens first-round picks.
Final analysis
The Ravens' best first-round selections form the foundation of one of the NFL's most successful modern franchises. Jackson and Lewis give the Baltimore franchise-changing offensive stars. Ogden, Grubbs, and Linderbaum provide the offensive line base. Heap gives the passing game a reliable tight end, while Jamal Lewis brings a historic rushing presence. On defense, Suggs, Ngata, Ray Lewis, McAlister, and Reed represent the physical, disruptive, and intelligent style that has defined the organization.
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That is what makes Baltimore's first-round history so impressive. The Ravens have found Hall of Famers, MVPs, Defensive Player of the Year winners, Super Bowl champions, and long-term starters in the opening round. For a franchise that began in 1996, the depth of that group is remarkable, and it explains why the Ravens have rarely drifted far from contention.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ranking Ravens' top first-round picks at each position
