The Ravens Best Day 3 Draft Picks

So much attention is placed on Day 1 of the NFL Draft but oftentimes, it’s Day 2 and Day 3 of draft weekend that tells the true story of the success of any team’s rookie class. Yesterday I covered the very best of Day 2 in the Ravens 28-year history. Today we will do the same for Day 3.

GM Eric DeCosta is on record saying that the 2024 NFL Draft doesn’t have as many draftable players as in previous drafts, per their evaluations. If the players that they deem “draftable” are all taken late on Day 3, they could trade one of their 9 picks for a better spot in next year’s draft – implementing “The Bisciotti Reign of Terror”.

“If you trade a fifth-round pick this year, you’d get a fourth-round pick, hypothetically, next year. That discount is actually, if you think about it, it only makes sense because the pick is a year away, but a pick is a pick, so it’s hard to wrap your [mind] around the idea that you get more for next year’s pick even though the pick is worth whatever it’s worth…I think [owner] Steve [Bisciotti] would love us to do that. He’s excited about that. His idea would be – not to give anything away – but he has what he calls ‘The Bisciotti Reign of Terror,’ and that would basically be that you trade a seventh-round pick in any given year for a sixth-round pick next year, and then take that sixth-round pick and trade it for a five, and then trade that five for a four, and so, in seven or eight years, you’d have a first-round pick.” ~ Eric DeCosta

So, we’ll find out soon enough if the Ravens unleash the owner’s terror by Saturday. Until then, let’s look back at some savvy picks they’ve made during Day 3 of past years. Here are my Top 5:

5. Sam Koch: Pick No. 203, 2006 NFL Draft

A career-long Raven, Koch was extremely reliable for 16 seasons in Baltimore and was flawless as the holder in the placekicking operation for the same duration. Koch’s passer rating (7 of 8 of fake punt passing attempts) was 109.4. He regularly ranked among the league’s best killing punts inside the 20-yard line and was instrumental in the team’s effectiveness in managing and at times flipping field position. Sam averaged 45.3 yards on his 1,168 career regular season punts. If 2022 4th-round pick Jordan Stout has such a distinguished career, the Ravens should consider themselves quite fortunate.

4. Dennis Pitta: Pick No. 114, 2010 NFL Draft

Pitta had amazing chemistry with Joe Flacco. He was sure-handed, smart, efficiently found soft spots in opposing defenses and he was capable of making big plays in clutch situations. If not for hip issues, he could have played another 2 or 3 seasons in Baltimore. But injuries forced him to miss all but 7 games during a 3-season window. Yet it’s hard not to view this as a great pick by Ozzie Newsome, particularly when you consider the pivotal plays he made during the 2012 AFC Championship Game and in Super Bowl 47. Perhaps the most underrated play in team history is the 24-yard Flacco-to-Pitta connection thrown from the Ravens end zone to give them a first down at their own 27. The drive eventually stalled but had the Ravens been forced to punt from their own back line, it would have given the Broncos great field position and a clear path to hosting the AFC title game.

3. Matthew Judon: Pick No. 146, 2016 NFL Draft

It isn’t a regular occurrence in the NFL that a 5th round pick gets the franchise tag but that’s exactly what happened with Judon prior to the 2020 season. The former Grand Valley State Laker had 34 ½ sacks for the Ravens over 5 seasons and developed into a complete and versatile defender while in Baltimore where he earned two Pro Bowl nods and later two more under the watchful eye of Bill Belichick in New England.

2. Jarret Johnson: Pick No. 109, 2003 NFL Draft

Johnson is one of those guys you might call “country strong” or “oak strong”. Drafted as a DE/DT, Jarret, much like Kelly Gregg, was one of those lunch pail kind of guys who showed up for work regularly, and willingly accepted the dirty work to let his teammates shine a little more and pick up stats that translated into dollars.

Johnson played 9 seasons in Baltimore before moving on to San Diego where he finished his career after 3 campaigns as a Charger. In 2006, Jarret made the transition from defensive line to outside linebacker. Johnson played in a total of 143 out of a possible 144 regular season games as a Raven, starting in 95 of them. He also played in all 11 postseason games. During his time in Charm City Jarret racked up 402 tackles and 20 sacks. Not bad for a 4th round pick out of Alabama.

This hit by Jarret Johnson on Hines Ward just never gets old… #Ravens #Steelers pic.twitter.com/GNy6evTIwf

— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) April 24, 2024

1. Adalius Thomas: Pick No. 186, 2000 NFL Draft

AD was drafted out of Southern Miss as a DE but played sparingly during his rookie campaign. In 2001 he started 3 times but made his presence felt most on special teams where he excelled as a 270-pound gunner. By his fourth season those skills were recognized as he was named to his first Pro Bowl.

Later his unique skill set earned AD time on the field as a starting OLB where Rex Ryan lined him up across the defense, even at corner during specific sub packages. By 2006 AD had come into his own as an every down backer, posting 11 sacks and 83 tackles on his way to first team All Pro honors.

That’s some kind of return for a 6th round pick out of Equality, Alabama, a town with just 107 residents.

Honorable Mention

Kyle Juszczyk: Pick No. 130, 2013 NFL Draft

“Juice” is a multi-talented fullback – an offensive Swiss Army knife who earned Pro Bowl honors with the Ravens in 2016, his fourth and final season in Baltimore. As a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Kyle was named to 7 consecutive Pro Bowls, and last season earned All Pro honors.

Le’Ron McClain: Pick No. 137, 2007 NFL Draft

McClain played 4 of his 7 NFL seasons in Baltimore, his best coming in 2008 when he rushed for 902 yards and scored 10 TD’s. He was named first team All Pro that season and was second-team All Pro in 2009. Le’Ron was also made the Pro Bowl team in 2008 and 2009.

Edwin Mulitalo: Pick No. 129, 1999 NFL Draft

Perhaps you recall how John Madden used to laud the efforts of Mulitalo when covering Ravens games. He loved Edwin’s toughness and nasty disposition on the football field that belied his friendly off-the-field demeanor. By the 9th game of his rookie campaign, Mulitalo became the Ravens starting left guard playing beside HOF Jonathan Ogden. He never relinquished that spot during the balance of his 8-year career in Baltimore.

Chuck Clark: Pick No. 186, 2017 NFL Draft

A defensive captain known for his heady style of play, Clark earned the respect of teammates and coaches. By his third season in Baltimore, Chuck became a starting safety, never relinquishing that status during the balance of his 6 seasons as a Raven. He started on a top-ranked defense for 61 consecutive regular season games. Not bad for a late Day 3 pick.

Pernell McPhee: Pick No. 165, 2011 NFL Draft

McPhee was a tough, heavy-handed defender who could line up on the edge as well as the interior of the defensive line in situational sub packages. Pernell played 7 seasons in Baltimore posting 24 sacks. His strip sack of Peyton Manning during the Divisional round in 2012 was crucial to the team’s ability to advance to the Conference Championship.

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