If the Baltimore Ravens don’t trade out of the first round of the 2019 NFL draft tonight, Eric DeCosta will make his first ever draft pick as general manager. Regardless of the name on the card and the pick number DeCosta’s first selection, as well as the entire 2019 Ravens draft class, will be compared to former general manager Ozzie Newsome’s first draft in 1996.
Newsome’s legendary 1996 draft class was the first ever for the franchise and his first as a general manager. It brought in tackle Jonathan Ogden and linebacker Ray Lewis, two cornerstone players for the Ravens who would go on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after playing their entire careers in Baltimore. It also brought in wide receiver Jermaine Lewis, who became an excellent kick returner for the Ravens.
Newsome’s legend began with this draft, putting quite a bit of pressure on DeCosta to find even a fraction of that success himself.
It’s certainly unrealistic to expect DeCosta to draft one Hall of Famer with his first ever draft pick, let alone two in his entire class. But it is fair to expect DeCosta to get this draft right, especially since it is coming in an offseason where the team just made a huge change at quarterback and let several notable players walk in free agency.
After spending years rebuffing offers from other teams to be their general manager and remaining at Newsome’s side, DeCosta has become the general manager of the Ravens. His first ever draft will begin shortly and now it’s his time to make a legacy of his own as the general manager.
