ESPN’s Ben Solak compiled a list of the best draft picks at each slot early Thursday morning, featuring 7 Ravens – including 1 active player – among the 262 players listed. While 2025 will be just the 30th season in franchise history, the Ravens have found great draft value for several of their stars.
The Ravens are top contenders to take home the Lombardi for the third time in franchise history in 2025. Their front office’s ability to find and draft talented players has a lot to do with that.
Solak acknowledged several factors that influenced his list, writing the following disclaimers:
- I took “best” to mean some combination of “most talented” and “most successful.”
- In order to be the best draft pick, you kind of have to play for the team that drafted you.
- There isn’t a bump for QB value (unless it was inescapable).
- I am 28 years old.
With those disclaimers in mind, let’s jump right into which Ravens Solak included on his list of the best draft picks at each slot.
Reed, Lewis and Henry Only Ravens on Best Draft Pick List With All-Pro Honors
While it may seem like a no-brainer to select Ed Reed for the No. 24 spot, Solak notes that his decision to include Reed and not Aaron Rodgers is likely his “most controversial selection.” But, Solak justified his choice of the 8-time All-Pro (5 First-Team).
“I think the best safety ever clears a quarterback who wasn’t ever the best of his era, despite his four MVPs,” Solak wrote.
On the other hand, Ray Lewis seems to have been one of the easiest selections on the list at pick No. 26. Lewis’ 13 Pro Bowls and 10 All-Pros (7 First-Team) make him “arguably the best off-ball linebacker in NFL history,” according to Solak.
Hall-of-Famer Lawrence Taylor is the only LB with more First-Team All-Pro selections than Lewis, and he’s only got the advantage by 1.
When you hear NFL legends like Bill Belichick and Peyton Manning speak with so much reverence and appreciation for players like Reed and Lewis, it’s easy to see why they’re considered one of the best defensive duos of all-time.
Derrick Henry is one of 15 active players in the top 100 on the best draft picks list. While he’s only earned 1 First-Team All-Pro selection so far, Solak notes that Henry already “has an Offensive Player of the Year award, is one of nine backs to produce a 2,000-yard season and will likely break into the top 10 of career rushing yards this season.”
“It takes a lot for me to select an active player over a Hall of Famer (Dave Casper, a tight end selected by the Raiders in 1974),” writes Solak. “But Henry is a truly unique player.”
Derrick Henry the Only Raven on the List without a Super Bowl Ring, for Now
Speaking of Derrick Henry, as it stands right now, he is the only Raven of the 7 included on the best draft picks list without a Super Bowl.
But, if he can stay healthy in 2025, Baltimore looks primed for another deep playoff run.
Lamar Jackson earned what is essentially an honorable mention on the list of best draft picks. Solak opted to avoid “prognostication” and choose Hall-of-Fame QB Drew Brees at No. 32. But, he notes that his pick “might flip by next season.”
If Jackson can overcome the label as a playoff underperformer, he could match Brees’ 1 Super Bowl and 1 Super Bowl MVP in just his 8th season as a starter. Jackson already has the advantage over Brees with 2 MVPs, but as Solak wrote, “I imagine Jackson would trade his two MVPs for Lombardi hardware right about now.”
Will Jackson and Henry cement their place among the all-time great Ravens with a Super Bowl this season? Only time will tell.
