Which of the Ravens’ Previous Ten First-Round Selections Were Successful?
The Baltimore Ravens are widely regarded as one of the NFL’s most consistently successful franchises. Over the years, their ability to build through the draft has been a hallmark of their sustained success. The team has developed a strong reputation for selecting high-quality players in the draft, particularly in the first round, which is often seen as critical to the foundation of any successful team.
In this article, we’ll dive into the Ravens’ previous ten first-round draft picks to assess which selections were successful. We will evaluate each player based on their performance, impact, and legacy with the Ravens, considering both the short- and long-term contributions each player made to the team.
1. 2024: Zay Flowers (Wide Receiver, Boston College)
The Ravens’ most recent first-round pick, Zay Flowers, was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Flowers comes with a reputation for his speed, agility, and playmaking ability at Boston College. The Ravens, who have had inconsistent production from their wide receivers in recent years, are banking on Flowers to provide Lamar Jackson with a reliable weapon in the passing game.
As of the 2024 season, it’s too early to fully evaluate the success of Flowers’ selection. However, his skill set has impressed during his rookie training camp, and his potential to be a dynamic playmaker in the Ravens’ offense is undeniable. If Flowers can quickly adapt to the NFL, he could be a crucial piece in elevating the Ravens’ aerial attack, making him a potential success story for the Ravens’ front office.
2. 2023: Trenton Simpson (Linebacker, Clemson)
In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Ravens selected Trenton Simpson, a linebacker from Clemson, with the 22nd overall pick. Simpson was known for his speed, versatility, and ability to cover in both the passing and running game. The Ravens’ defense, historically one of the NFL’s best, aimed to further bolster their linebacker corps with this pick.
Simpson’s performance in his rookie season is still in progress, but early indications suggest that he could become a key contributor. His potential to be a sideline-to-sideline linebacker and provide a boost to the Ravens’ defense, particularly against mobile quarterbacks and in pass coverage, means that he could be a long-term fixture for the defense. If he lives up to expectations, Simpson could be one of the Ravens’ successful picks from the last ten years.
3. 2022: Kyle Hamilton (Safety, Notre Dame)
In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Ravens selected Kyle Hamilton with the 14th overall pick. Hamilton, a safety out of Notre Dame, was one of the top defensive players in the draft, known for his intelligence, size (6’4”), and versatility. He was considered one of the best talents in the draft, and the Ravens were thrilled to land him at 14.
Hamilton had an immediate impact in his rookie season, quickly earning a starting spot and showcasing his ability to impact both the passing and running games. His range and ability to read the quarterback made him a standout in the Ravens’ secondary, and he quickly became one of the team’s most reliable players on defense. His combination of instincts, physicality, and versatility makes him a cornerstone for the defense, and it’s clear that Hamilton has already become a key part of the team’s future.
Evaluation: Successful Pick
Hamilton has the makings of a long-term, game-changing player for the Ravens. His rookie season was impressive, and his continued development could solidify him as one of the Ravens’ top first-round selections.
4. 2021: Rashod Bateman (Wide Receiver, Minnesota)
The 2021 NFL Draft saw the Ravens take Rashod Bateman from Minnesota with the 27th overall pick. Bateman was regarded as one of the top wide receiver prospects in that draft class, bringing elite route-running, good hands, and solid size. Given the Ravens’ struggles with wide receiver depth, Bateman was seen as a potential No. 1 target for quarterback Lamar Jackson.
While Bateman has shown flashes of potential, his career has been marred by injuries. A core muscle injury limited him in his rookie season, and he has faced other setbacks since then. Despite his injuries, when on the field, Bateman has displayed the ability to make contested catches and contribute as a reliable target for Jackson. However, his career has not yet reached its full potential, and the Ravens are hoping that he can stay healthy to fulfill his promise.
Evaluation: Incomplete
Bateman’s career is still in progress, and his ultimate success is contingent on his ability to stay healthy and develop further as a top receiver. For now, it’s too early to determine if the pick will be considered a success, but his potential is clear.
5. 2020: Patrick Queen (Linebacker, LSU)
The 2020 NFL Draft saw the Ravens select Patrick Queen, a linebacker from LSU, with the 28th overall pick. Queen was considered one of the top linebacker prospects in that draft and was expected to help solidify the Ravens’ defense. His ability to cover, blitz, and tackle was highly valued by Baltimore.
Queen had a solid rookie season, but his development has been uneven over the years. He has shown the ability to be an impactful player, but his consistency has been questioned at times. Queen has flashed elite ability in certain games, including his pass-rushing and coverage skills, but at times he has struggled with missed tackles or poor positioning.
Despite these inconsistencies, Queen has remained a key part of the Ravens’ linebacker corps, and the team continues to rely on him to make plays. Whether or not Queen becomes a long-term success for the team remains to be seen, but his potential still makes him an important piece for the Ravens’ defense.
Evaluation: In Progress
Queen’s development has been a mixed bag, and while he has shown promise, his inconsistency has raised questions about his long-term success. As of now, it’s too early to fully label him a success or failure, but he is still a key player for the Ravens.
6. 2019: Marquise Brown (Wide Receiver, Oklahoma)
In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Ravens selected Marquise “Hollywood” Brown from Oklahoma with the 25th overall pick. Brown was one of the top wide receivers in his class, and the Ravens hoped his speed and deep-threat ability would complement Lamar Jackson’s style of play. Over his first two seasons, Brown had a solid impact, especially in the deep passing game, where his speed allowed him to stretch defenses.
However, in 2021, Brown was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, a move that surprised many. Despite his early success with the Ravens, he was inconsistent at times, and the Ravens chose to move on from him after three seasons. His trade marked the end of his tenure with Baltimore, and it can be seen as a somewhat mixed outcome for the Ravens’ first-round pick.
Evaluation: Mixed Success
While Brown showed flashes of brilliance and had several big plays for the Ravens, his departure and the trade for a later draft pick suggest that the Ravens didn’t fully believe he would be their long-term solution at wide receiver. As a result, this pick could be seen as a mixed success.
7. 2018: Hayden Hurst (Tight End, South Carolina)
In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Ravens selected Hayden Hurst, a tight end from South Carolina, with the 25th overall pick. Hurst was seen as a reliable pass-catching tight end who could complement Nick Boyle in the Ravens’ offense. However, Hurst’s tenure with the Ravens was short-lived, as he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons after two seasons.
While Hurst had a solid rookie season, he was overshadowed by Mark Andrews in the tight end room. Andrews became a go-to target for Lamar Jackson, and Hurst was ultimately traded away to Atlanta for a second-round pick. Hurst’s career has been productive in Atlanta, but his time in Baltimore didn’t meet the expectations for a first-round pick.
Evaluation: Mixed Success
While Hurst had some solid moments with the Ravens, his limited role and subsequent trade mark this pick as less than successful. His success in Atlanta adds a layer of ambiguity to this selection, making it a mixed result for the Ravens.
8. 2017: Marlon Humphrey (Cornerback, Alabama)
The 2017 NFL Draft saw the Ravens select Marlon Humphrey, a cornerback from Alabama, with the 16th overall pick. Humphrey has become one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks, known for his physicality, ball skills, and ability to shut down wide receivers. His development into a top-tier cornerback has been one of the Ravens’ most successful first-round picks in recent memory.
Humphrey has consistently been a shutdown corner for the Ravens, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and solidifying himself as one of the best at his position. His ability to lock down opposing wide receivers and create turnovers has been a huge asset for the Ravens’ defense, and he remains a cornerstone of their secondary.
Evaluation: Successful Pick
Humphrey has been an excellent pick for the Ravens, and he is undoubtedly one of the most successful first-round selections in recent history.
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