2. QB Joe Flacco (first round, 2008)
Some might view the appearance of Flacco above Ogden or Reed on this list as heresy, but how critical was it for the organization to finally hit on a franchise quarterback for not only new head coach John Harbaugh but also Newsome in 2008? Despite having one of the best defenses in the league year after year, the Ravens hadn’t won a playoff game since 2001 when Flacco’s name was called with the 18th overall selection.
Not only were their quarterback woes finally solved after years of suffering through the likes of Kyle Boller, Chris Redman, and Anthony Wright, but there’s no argument to be made that the Ravens would have won their second Super Bowl title without Flacco, who put together one of the greatest postseason runs in NFL history with 11 touchdown passes and no interceptions in four playoff games that ended with him taking MVP honors in Super Bowl XLVII. He may not have the Pro Bowl nods or Hall of Fame credentials of others at the top of this list, but Flacco’s selection was a major catalyst for the most consistent period of success in franchise history.
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