Baltimore Ravens’ Relentless Commitment to Drafting the Best Player Available Continues to Build an Unmatched Roster with Elite Depth Everywhere
In a league where short-term results often dictate long-term decisions, the Baltimore Ravens have remained resolute in a philosophy that many franchises admire but few have the discipline to follow: draft the best player available, regardless of position. It’s a concept rooted in patience, intelligence, and a deep understanding of how championship teams are constructed. While other organizations get caught up in chasing need or plugging temporary holes, Baltimore plays the long game. And year after year, that philosophy pays dividends—not just in talent acquisition but in building one of the deepest, most versatile rosters in the NFL.
The results speak for themselves. Baltimore’s depth isn’t just impressive—it’s foundational. The Ravens don’t merely rely on stars; they rely on waves of contributors. Injuries, rotations, and unexpected circumstances don’t derail them the way they do for other teams. That resilience isn’t accidental. It’s by design. It’s the product of decades of disciplined drafting that prioritizes long-term value over short-term panic.
The philosophy starts at the top, with General Manager Eric DeCosta, who inherited the mantle from the legendary Ozzie Newsome. Newsome instilled the organization with a relentless focus on value in the draft. He wasn’t interested in reaching for a positional fit or forcing a player into the scheme. He trusted the board, trusted the scouts, and trusted the Ravens’ ability to develop talent. DeCosta has continued that tradition with razor-sharp precision.
Take a look at Baltimore’s recent draft history, and the pattern becomes obvious. In 2020, the Ravens selected linebacker Patrick Queen in the first round—a position of clear need. But in that same draft, they also grabbed running back J.K. Dobbins in the second round, even with a crowded backfield already in place. Why? Because Dobbins was the best player on their board. That same draft saw the selection of Devin Duvernay, Malik Harrison, and Tyre Phillips—all players who added meaningful depth or carved out key roles. This wasn’t just talent acquisition. This was infrastructure building.
In 2021, the Ravens followed up by drafting Odafe Oweh—an edge rusher with elite traits but raw technique. They didn’t need him to be a Day 1 superstar. They saw the ceiling and took the swing. Then came the selection of Rashod Bateman, giving the offense a route technician with toughness and upside. Again, they didn’t reach—they let the board come to them, and the depth continued to form.
But perhaps no draft exemplifies this philosophy better than the 2022 and 2023 classes. In 2022, the Ravens landed Kyle Hamilton at pick 14. At the time, safety wasn’t the team’s biggest need. But Hamilton was arguably the most complete player in the entire class—a do-it-all defensive chess piece. Baltimore didn’t overthink it. They drafted him. And by the end of his rookie year, he was already a major contributor, capable of playing deep safety, slot corner, and even linebacker responsibilities.
That same year, they selected Tyler Linderbaum—an undersized but elite center from Iowa. The positional value may not have screamed “first round,” but the talent was undeniable. Linderbaum quickly became one of the most reliable pieces on the offensive line. Then came David Ojabo, a first-round talent who fell due to a torn Achilles. The Ravens took him anyway, understanding the payoff wouldn’t come immediately. That’s the essence of their draft strategy: long-term vision over short-term convenience.
Fast forward to 2023, and the Ravens doubled down on their approach. With many expecting them to go for an edge rusher or interior lineman, they selected wide receiver Zay Flowers—a dynamic playmaker from Boston College. Some questioned whether Baltimore really needed another receiver. But again, the Ravens stayed true to the board. Flowers wasn’t just the best available player—he was a culture fit, a sparkplug, and a high-floor contributor. And by the end of his rookie season, he was one of the team’s most productive and dependable targets.
This consistent approach has yielded a roster that can withstand the inevitable grind of an NFL season. Injuries don’t devastate Baltimore the way they do other teams. When a starter goes down, there’s almost always someone ready to step in—not just a backup, but a potential starter in his own right. The depth across both sides of the ball is staggering.
On defense, the rotation is ruthless. The front seven features not just stars like Roquan Smith and Justin Madubuike, but also contributors like Travis Jones, Broderick Washington, and Odafe Oweh. These aren’t just depth players—they’re legitimate difference-makers who can hold their own in any matchup. The secondary is even more versatile. With Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, and Marlon Humphrey leading the way, Baltimore has the luxury of mixing and matching personnel packages without exposing weak links. That flexibility is a direct result of drafting players based on talent, not panic.
Offensively, it’s the same story. The offensive line has built-in insurance, thanks to years of strategic drafting. Players like Daniel Faalele and Ben Cleveland might not be starters every week, but they’re quality depth with starting upside. At tight end, Mark Andrews is elite, but behind him, players like Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar have emerged as capable options who can create mismatches and produce in their own right. At running back, even after the loss of Dobbins to injury, the Ravens have leaned on committee approaches, relying on Gus Edwards and other contributors—because the depth is always there.
This kind of depth doesn’t just help during the regular season. It’s a weapon in the postseason. When weather changes game plans and injuries test resolve, Baltimore is built to adapt. That adaptability is a luxury most teams don’t have—and it stems directly from the “best player available” philosophy.
But the strategy goes deeper than draft night. The Ravens’ player development program is elite. They don’t just draft talent—they cultivate it. Coaches and veterans are aligned on expectations. Young players are groomed, not thrown into the fire recklessly. The environment is competitive but supportive. That’s why Baltimore’s draft picks so often outperform their draft position within a year or two.
Critics occasionally call the strategy risky. They argue that ignoring positional need can lead to roster imbalance. But the Ravens have never allowed themselves to become unbalanced. In reality, they’ve often found value by avoiding the desperation that leads other teams to overreach. And when needs arise, they address them through free agency, trades, or internal development—not panic picks.
The results show in the win column. Since the early 2000s, Baltimore has been one of the most consistent franchises in the NFL. They’ve endured quarterback changes, coaching turnover, and injuries—and remained competitive throughout. That consistency comes from having a roster that doesn’t just rely on stars but is stacked with players who are capable of stepping up at any moment.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Ravens are again positioned as serious contenders. Their stars are shining, their rookies are contributing, and their depth is unmatched. It’s a roster built not by guesswork, but by methodical execution of a long-standing philosophy.
And that’s the lesson. While other franchises chase headlines, the Ravens build quietly. While others panic on draft night, Baltimore stays patient. And while others scramble when injuries strike, the Ravens reload.
Draft the best player available. Develop them properly. Build layers of talent. Repeat.
It sounds simple. But in the pressure-packed, ego-driven world of the NFL, it’s anything but. That’s why so few teams do it well. And it’s why the Baltimore Ravens continue to stand out.
Because in the NFL, depth wins. And no team understands that better than Baltimore.
