The Best Day 2 Draft Picks

The Ravens have long been viewed as one of the league’s best when it comes to the NFL Draft. But like all teams, they’ve had their fair share of misses while on the clock in late April. That said, both Ozzie Newsome and Eric DeCosta have connected on some Day 2 picks – Day 2 in the modern day, being rounds 2 and 3.

Today we’ll look back at the Top 5 cards submitted on Day 2 of draft weekend in team history by Messrs. Newsome and DeCosta.

5. Torrey Smith: Pick No. 58, 2011 NFL Draft

Some players are who they are when they enter the NFL. Others improve while some regress, perhaps overwhelmed by the speed of the game and the cerebral aspects of preparation. Torrey Smith left the University of Maryland and became the player most expected him to be. Here’s a snapshot of a scouting report posted by NFL.com on Torrey back in 2011:

Strengths

Smith possesses outstanding straight-lined speed and good size measurables. Explodes off the line of scrimmage. Flashes the ability to high-point the football. Has the second gear needed to threaten a defense vertically. Eats up cushions and can track the deep ball well. Plays with passion, exhibits great effort while run blocking, and has intangibles.

Weaknesses

Must improve his route-running and ability to consistently separate. Takes too many steps at the top of his stem. Ideals down in and out of his breaks. Still learning to identify and get to soft spots in zone coverage. Hands are adequate but won’t consistently bring down the tough catch. Not overly elusive in space.

It is a bit surprising that Torrey played just 4 seasons in Baltimore where he averaged 880 yards and 8 TD’s per season during his rookie contract. But as we know, such numbers trigger a pay raise and apparently Smith was no longer viewed as the right player, right price. Torrey would never approach the productivity he enjoyed in Baltimore at any of his next three stops, San Francisco, Philadelphia or Carolina.

4. Justin Madubuike: Pick No. 71, 2020 NFL Draft

When Madubuike became EDC’s 2nd pick on Day 2 in 2020 – the Covid draft, there were concerns about his size and consequently he was projected to be not much more than a rotational one-gapping tackle with room to improve. But his floor was a concern for some who thought he might be limited by scheme.

Madubuike flashed during his first training camp. Veterans like Calais Campbell took notice. Players know players and Madubuike’s peers saw star potential. It took a while for Justin to shape his game, but in 2023 he did exactly that and brought potential to reality. A rare interior lineman who possesses pass rushing ability, Madubuike became an All Pro and then an owner of generational wealth. It would surprise no one to see him work his way up this list in a manner that mirrors his career trajectory.

3. Ray Rice: Pick No. 55, 2008 NFL Draft

The former Rutgers star is the best multi-purpose back in team history. Unfortunately, he stained his own legacy following that Patron-fueled elevator incident that ended his career. Rice has redeemed himself to fans, the team and most importantly to his family but like MLB’s Roberto Alomar, Ray’s reputation will forever be sullied by that late night in Atlantic City.

That said, before the infamous video surfaced, Rice was a force in the run game and passing game. During four consecutive seasons Rice cracked the 1,000-yard milestone, averaging 1,267 yards per season. Also, during those same four campaigns, Rice averaged 70 catches for 610 yards. That’s a ton of production – production we hoped that J.K. Dobbins would tally when he too, was the 55th overall pick in 2020.

2. Mark Andrews: Pick No. 86, 2018 NFL Draft

When the Ravens turned in the card for Andrews in 2018, clearly it was a case of best player available on the Ravens board, despite scouting reports that projected him to be nothing more than an eventual, average starter. Baltimore already had Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle on their roster, and they made Hayden Hurst their first pick in the same draft, No. 25 overall. It would mark the third time in team history that Ozzie Newsome doubled down on his Hall of Fame position. In 2010 he turned in cards for tight ends Ed Dickson (No. 70) and Dennis Pitta (No. 114). In 2015 he called the names of Williams (No. 55) and Boyle (No. 171).

Andrews was and is a wide receiver in a tight end’s body. He has a tremendous work ethic and is driven to perfect his craft. Today he’s one of the game’s best – a 3-time Pro Bowler and a 2021 first-team All Pro. Drafted in the same class as Lamar Jackson, Andrews has been Lamar’s go-to guy in much the same way that Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce connect.

If there was a 2018 draft redo, Andrews would not be a Day 2 pick. He’d be a bonafide first-rounder.

“[Andrews is] a great big slot receiver. That’s it. He won’t block at all so what do you have other than a big slot who is an average athlete? I gave him a Day 3 grade.” — AFC regional scout

I wonder where that AFC regional scout is coaching pee wee football these days…

1. Marshal Yanda: Pick No. 86, 2007 NFL Draft

I remember Bart Scott discussing Yanda with me back in 2007 when we did his radio show together, Hot Sauce with Bart Scott during that same year, hosted by Della Rose’s in Canton and broadcasted on 105.7 (before they were The Fan). Bart talked about Yanda’s toughness stemming from his formidable days working on a pig farm. Bart said that Marshal had pig farmer street cred. He also shared a story of how Yanda volunteered to take a taser gun twice in the locker room after a teammate’s dare to earn $600.

Yanda’s toughness was prevalent throughout his career, one during which he was a Raven throughout his 13 years in the NFL. Marshal’s milestones include:

• Super Bowl champion (XLVII)
• 2× First-team All-Pro (2014, 2015)
• 5× Second-team All-Pro (2011, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2019)
• 8× Pro Bowl (2011–2016, 2018–2019)
• NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (2007)
• Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor

And one day, he’ll add Pro Football Hall of Famer to this list.

That’s quite a resume for a pig farmer from Iowa.

Honorable Mention Day 2 Picks (in no particular order)

Brandon Williams: Pick No. 94, 2013 NFL Draft

A prototypical Ravens run-stuffer and leader who played (and danced) in Baltimore for 9 seasons.

Brandon Williams is the dancing dude from one of my favorite videos pic.twitter.com/sUK0vGgHqq

— ⓙⓐⓦⓝ (@jawnes12) October 17, 2020

Lardarius Webb: Pick No. 88, 2009 NFL Draft

Instinctive athlete who possessed plus hands as a corner. He had marginal size and just adequate speed entering the league, something that injuries only worsened. But he played nine seasons in Baltimore and for a stretch was the team’s best tackler pound-for-pound.

Brandon Stephens: Pick No. 104, 2021 NFL Draft

How many of you thought, “Who?” when the Ravens turned in the card for Stephens. I know I did! Now he has become the team’s best corner, a step or two ahead of the team’s 2017 first-round pick, Marlon Humphrey.

Jamie Sharper: Pick No. 34, 1997 NFL Draft

Sharper and Peter Boulware were the Ravens’ top 2 picks in 1997 and together with Ray Lewis the three were instrumental in the team’s defensive resurgence that culminated in a Super Bowl XXXV victory, a win during which Sharper made a bone-crushing hit on Giants WR Ike Hilliard that changed the way NY receivers ran their routes for the game’s balance. In part, Duane Starks can thank Sharper for his pick 6 in the Super Bowl when Amani Toomer ran a rather squeamish crossing route.

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