Ravens Remain One of NFL's Best Drafting Teams

Despite some misses, Baltimore's draft success under GM Eric DeCosta keeps them atop the league

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:10pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the Baltimore Ravens' draft process, with sharp planes of purple, black, and gold overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition.The Baltimore Ravens' meticulous draft process, deconstructed into a cubist masterpiece.Baltimore Today

The Baltimore Ravens have long been regarded as one of the NFL's best drafting teams, and that reputation has continued under general manager Eric DeCosta. While no team is perfect, the Ravens' ability to consistently find impact players in the draft, including two elite selections in the 2022 first round, keeps them at the top of the league in terms of draft value.

Why it matters

The Ravens' consistent draft success is a major reason they have remained one of the NFL's top teams over the past two decades. Their ability to find talent, especially in the later rounds, has allowed them to maintain a competitive roster despite the challenges of the salary cap. As the team looks to build around star quarterback Lamar Jackson, continued strong drafts will be crucial.

The details

The Ravens have landed a pair of Hall of Famers (Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis) in Ozzie Newsome's first draft class, and Newsome's final class featured two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, the franchise's all-time receiving leader Mark Andrews, and more Pro Bowlers. Since Eric DeCosta took over as GM in 2019, the Ravens have continued to excel in the draft, ranking first in the league in approximate value per draft pick over that span. In the 2022 draft alone, they landed safety Kyle Hamilton and center Tyler Linderbaum in the first round, as well as defensive tackle Travis Jones in the third round and tight end Isaiah Likely in the fourth.

  • The Ravens have consistently drafted in the teens or 20s every year.

The players

Ozzie Newsome

The former general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, known for his exceptional drafting ability that helped build the team into a perennial contender.

Eric DeCosta

The current general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, who has continued the team's strong drafting tradition since taking over for Ozzie Newsome in 2019.

Lamar Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens' star quarterback, a two-time MVP who was drafted by the team in the first round in 2018.

Mark Andrews

The Baltimore Ravens' all-time leading receiver, a Pro Bowl tight end drafted by the team.

Kyle Hamilton

A safety selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, considered one of the top prospects in the class.

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What they’re saying

“If the Ravens aren't a good drafting team, who is? They're picking in the twenties every single year or the teens at worst. And so when you consider where they're drafting and expected returns on the players, they're still in the conversation as one of the best drafting teams in the NFL.”

— Robert Mays, Analyst

The takeaway

The Baltimore Ravens' consistent ability to find impact players in the draft, even late in the first round, has been a major factor in their sustained success as one of the NFL's top franchises over the past two decades. As they look to build around Lamar Jackson, their continued excellence in the draft will be crucial to maintaining their status as an elite team.