The Baltimore Ravens have been a dominant NFL franchise ever since they were introduced to the NFL in 1996. They’ve set a high standard both on and off the field, winning two Super Bowl championships in their first 16 years (2000-2001, 2012-2013) and showing that they have what it takes to be competitive almost every single year.
It’s a major credit to the players that the team has been able to be so successful. However, those players have to get to Baltimore somehow, and that’s a credit to the Ravens’ front office and decision makers. Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta and more have shown that they have a keen eye for identifying talent, something that Newsome put on display during his first draft.
On April 20, 1996, Newsome selected both Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis with his first two selections, some of the best players (if not the best two players) in Ravens history so far.
25 years ago today, the Ravens made their first draft choices, selecting Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis
Both would turn out to be Hall of Famers
pic.twitter.com/oPdg2MVkZ1— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) April 20, 2021
Newsome took Ogden with the No. 4 overall pick, while Lewis was drafted shortly after at pick No. 25. The two went on to have illustrious careers with Baltimore, as Lewis put up over 2,000 career tackles while Ogden started in 176 of the 177 games he played in for the Ravens.
The Ravens probably wish every draft began on April 20th, as 19 years ago today on April 20, 2002, the team selected Ed Reed with the 24th overall selection, who had 61 interceptions during his time with Baltimore. The three of Ogden, Lewis, and Reed are all Hall of Fame inductees.
The first two draft selections for the Ravens paved the way for where the franchise is today. A strong on-field product, a fabulous culture, and a winning attitude all grace over the organization, and those things all were built thanks to fabulous decisions like Newsome made 25 years ago today, and the phenominal play of players like Ogden, Lewis and Reed.
