The Baltimore Ravens have been known since their existence to be able to draft. In their first-ever draft in 1996, they drafted Jonathan Ogden fourth overall, a hall of famer, Ray Lewis 26th overall who’s also a hall of famer, Peter Boulware the year after fourth overall, Chris McAllister in 1999, and Jamal Lewis in 2000, all key reasons why the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2001, destroying the New York Giants, 34-7.
That 2000 Ravens defense is considered one of if not the best defense of all time. Not as good but the 2023 Ravens Defense was also one of the best defenses of this era, which has been built off draft picks like Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, and also Roquan Smith who was acquired from the Chicago Bears in 2022.
With the ability to draft very well, the Ravens are constantly bringing in young talent, especially highly regarded young talent.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz raked the Baltimore Ravens #3 of 32 teams in his list.
Baltimore Ravens Rich in Young Talent According to ESPN’s Aaron Schatz
The Methodology behind it he says is the following.
- Number of starts made by players under 25 years old
- Number of snaps played by players under 25 years old
- Quality of play of players under 25 years old, age-adjusted to capture the fact that a 21-year-old player of X ability will likely improve more than a 23-year-old player of X ability — and with extra consideration given to Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections
- Value and length of player contracts
- Relative importance of positions, in particular with quarterbacks being more important and running backs, off-ball linebackers and specialists being less important than other positions
- Draft value added in the 2024 draft
- Expected key starters and reserves under 25 years old for teams in 2024
- Significant injuries or suspensions that will affect the 2024 availability of players under 25 years old
And here’s his reasoning for putting the Ravens #3.
First-team All-Pro Hamilton leads the Ravens’ young talent as one of the most valuable defensive players in the NFL. He ranked first in success rate and fifth in coverage DVOA among safeties last season and is just 23 years old. Linderbaum made his first Pro Bowl last season after his second NFL season. He posted the fifth-best pass block win rate (96.4%) and is 24. The Ravens’ receiving corp is also youthful. Flowers, who led the team with 858 receiving yards, is 23; Rashod Bateman, who had 367 yards, is 24 years old.
Rookies Nate Wiggins (cornerback, Round 1) and Roger Rosengarten (right tackle, Round 2) will be starters. Tight end Isaiah Likely has started off strong with 784 receiving yards in his first two seasons and is 24. The Ravens will get even more value from young talent if certain young players can step into major roles this season. Coach John Harbaugh is high on 24-year-old edge rusher David Ojabo, who is finally healthy after battling ankle and knee injuries last season. Trenton Simpson will move into the starting lineup at linebacker next to Roquan Smith and is 23. And running back Keaton Mitchell had one of the best run DVOA ratings ever in limited time last season. He’s 22 and should return from a torn ACL at midseason.
