Ravens Best Mid-Round Draft Picks

Who are the Baltimore Ravens best mid-round draft picks? In the 29 seasons of the Baltimore Ravens, they have consistently been one of the best drafting teams in the NFL. Whether it be a high first round pick or a 7^th round pick, this organization has found pro bowl caliber players everywhere.

With this mind, I am going to present my list of top Ravens draft picks that were mid-to-late round picks(3^rd-7^th round).  With this list, I am also focusing the list on guys that made big impacts for the Ravens. In other words, players like Derek Anderson, Tyrod Taylor, Zach Sieler and Darren Waller (all 6^th round or later picks) will not appear on this list because their impact came while playing for other organizations.  This isn’t to say the Ravens don’t deserve credit for recognizing the talent helping in their respective development. I am just focusing the list on impact for the Ravens.

I am also stopping the list as of the 2021 draft class because we haven’t had enough time to evaluate the 2022 and 2023 players.

I went through every draft and wrote down 30 names that at least deserve consideration, although there is definitely a clear separation. In terms of paring the list down to 10 names, there are obvious guys and then the last half of the list is where some arguments could come in. A guy like Ryan Jensen did start with the Ravens for one season and played well but his best years were in Tampa. So, while he made more impact for the Ravens than a guy like Sieler, he still had a lesser impact in Baltimore than those who made my top 10.

There are definitely guys in this list that you can argue should be higher or lower. I was ultimately able to whittle my list down to about 15 names, so I do think an argument exists for other guys.

But here’s my list of the Ravens’ best mid-to-late round draft picks.

10. Jermaine Lewis

Jermaine Lewis was a 5^th round pick in 1996.  In his time with the Ravens, he started 30 games and played in 88. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and a First-Team All-Pro selection in 1998. His largest impact was in the return game. For an organization that traditionally has excellent special teams, Lewis is arguably the greatest returner in team history. He is second in Ravens history in kickoff return yards (eight yards behind B.J. Sams) and has more than double the punt return yards of the next closest player (also Sams).  He returned six punts for a TD and, of course, had the memorable return in the Ravens first Super Bowl victory.

On a team that valued field position, Lewis was a big part of the Ravens success.

9. Edwin Mulitalo

This one was tough for me. I almost went Kelechi Osemele over Edwin Mulitalo. Osemele, a starter from day 1, was probably the better player and he could play tackle or guard, but his best season was with the Raiders.  A tiebreaker for me was that Mulitalo played in and started double the amount of games as Osemele. Both were 4^th round picks. Mulitalo was a leader on the great Ravens teams and was a key cog on the offensive line during the Super Bowl XXXV run.

8. Justin Madubuike

You could argue that it’s a little premature for this third-rounder to appear on this list, especially since its really based off of one season…but that one season was one of the best defensive seasons this organization has ever seen. Justin Madubuike is a very talented player who is just coming into his own and he definitely belongs on this list when talking pure talent. He is 12^th on the Ravens all-time sack list, 8^th in QB hits and is top 20 in TFL. His big year in 2023 was rewarded with a long term contract, so he will continue to add to these numbers.

7. Jarret Johnson

Jarret Johnson, a 4^th round pick, is one of the longest tenured Ravens. He ranks 5^th in franchise history in games played among defenders and tackles for loss, 13^th in sacks and 7^th in forced fumbles. In his nine years with the Ravens, he missed just one game, during his rookie year. He was a leader, extremely durable and a solid and dependable complement to Terrell Suggs on the opposite edge.

6. Matt Judon

Matt Judon was a 5^th round pick in 2016. He came from a small school, Grand Valley State, and he developed into a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the best pass rushers this team has ever had. Judon started 49 games and played in 76 games during his five years with Baltimore.  Even though his time here was not long, he ranks 7^th  in sacks, 6^th in tackles for loss, and second in QB hits. He struggled at setting the edge at times but the pass rushing was very good and it’s been even better in New England.

5. Brandon Williams

Third-rounder Brandon Williams, was a mainstay in the middle of the Ravens defensive line for nine years, appearing in 123 games, starting 114 of those. He was an elite run stopper and often drew double teams, which freed up teammates to wreak havoc.

He was honestly a tough guy for me to rank on this list, as he didn’t make a ton of splash plays, but so much of what the team did defensively revolved around him and his ability to control the line of scrimmage. He is definitely a top 10 guy but I do think there is an argument for him to be lower. For me, his longevity and importance to the defense land him here. He played very poorly in his first season, leading many to question his selection, making his inclusion a testament to his outstanding work ethic and consistent development.

[Related Article: Ravens 5 Worst Draft Picks]

4. Adalius Thomas

Adalius Thomas, who was a 6^th round pick, is probably one of the most underrated players in Ravens history. For me, the top two players on this list are clear, but Adalius and the player at three are interchangeable. I really went back and forth with that decision.

Thomas is 5^th in team history in forced fumbles and sacks, and 4^th in tackles for loss. He was a versatile player who started 74 games for the Ravens and played in 96 total. His coaches could use him in a variety of ways and he was an excellent chess piece for many of the great defenses he played on, earning a Pro Bowl and First-Team All Pro nod once each.

3. Lardarius Webb

Lardarius Webb, a 3^rd round pick, is one of the best cornerbacks in team history and if not for some injuries, may have been right there with Chris McAlister, Marlon Humphrey, and Jimmy Smith (whichever order you want to put them in).

Webb was probably the best tackling corner in team history, ranking 4^th in tackles and 6^th in interceptions. He played his whole career in Baltimore, starting 86 of his 127 games. He was also a good returner but the return career was cut short because of his injuries and importance to the secondary.

2. Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews, a 3^rd round pick, was the second tight end the Ravens selected in the 2018 draft. Since coming in, he has been the team’s best skill position player and is one of the top 3 tight ends in football. Among Ravens, he is currently 3^rd all time in receiving yards, 3^rd in receptions, 2^nd in TDs and 3^rd in targets.  He will end this season with all the Ravens TE records and will trail only Derrick Mason in receiving yards at any position.

By the time his Ravens career ends, he will own every Ravens receiving record and is on a Hall of Fame path depending on health and how much longer he continues to play at an elite level. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler and has a First-Team All-Pro selection on his resume’.

1. Marshal Yanda

We finish up with another  3^rd round pick, this one out of Iowa and the easy #1 on this list.  Maybe someday Andrews will pass him but Marshal Yanda’s longevity and greatness will be tough to top. Yanda, who will be in Canton one day, was an eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro. He is regarded as not only one of the best guards of his generation but one of the best in NFL history.

Give us your list of the Ravens best mid-round draft picks in the comments!

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