Ravens’ 2018 Draft Class Becomes Most Lucrative in NFL History, Surpassing All Others in Total Future Contract Value Earned
The Baltimore Ravens have long been heralded as one of the NFL’s premier franchises when it comes to scouting and drafting talent. But even with that proud history, the team’s 2018 draft class now stands as an unmatched pinnacle of player development and long-term value. That draft class — a mix of high picks, late-round gems, and undrafted signings — has officially generated more money in future NFL contracts than any other draft class in the history of the league.
It’s an astonishing achievement that reflects not only the Ravens’ eye for talent, but also the extraordinary development of these players across various teams around the league. While some, like Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews, became cornerstone players for Baltimore, others like Orlando Brown Jr., Zach Sieler, and Darious Williams found greener financial pastures elsewhere. What unites them all is the incredible wealth they’ve generated since entering the league in 2018 — and the many teams that have invested heavily in them as key contributors.
Leading the way financially, of course, is quarterback Lamar Jackson. Selected with the 32nd overall pick in the first round, Jackson has since become one of the most electrifying and impactful quarterbacks in NFL history. A unanimous MVP, two-time Pro Bowler, and one of the most elusive dual-threat quarterbacks the league has ever seen, Jackson reset the quarterback market in 2023 when he signed a five-year, $260 million contract extension with the Ravens. That deal averages out to $52 million per year, putting him in the upper echelon of quarterback compensation and leading this 2018 draft class in earnings.
However, Jackson is far from the only success story. Tight end Mark Andrews, taken in the third round with the 86th overall pick, has emerged as one of the best at his position. Since entering the league, Andrews has become a key part of Baltimore’s offense, with multiple Pro Bowl appearances and a 1,000-yard season under his belt. His efforts were rewarded with a four-year, $56 million extension that averages $14 million per year. For a third-round tight end to command that kind of money is rare and speaks volumes about the Ravens’ ability to find high-level contributors outside of the first round.
Perhaps even more impressive is offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who was selected just three picks before Andrews, at 83rd overall. Brown, the son of the late Orlando “Zeus” Brown, quickly established himself as a dominant force on the offensive line. After initially playing right tackle in Baltimore, he was traded to Kansas City where he moved to left tackle and helped protect Patrick Mahomes. In 2023, Brown signed a four-year, $64 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, averaging $16 million per year. His trajectory from mid-round pick to one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the league is emblematic of the 2018 class’s broader success.
Then there’s Zach Sieler, perhaps the biggest surprise in terms of financial return on draft position. Drafted in the seventh round with the 238th overall pick, Sieler’s early career in Baltimore was short-lived. But he eventually found a home with the Miami Dolphins, where he flourished into a starting defensive lineman and secured a three-year, $38.65 million extension that pays him about $22 million annually. For a player once considered an afterthought, Sieler’s rise exemplifies both personal perseverance and the deep scouting work done by the Ravens’ front office.
Even undrafted players from that year have cashed in. Darious Williams went undrafted in 2018 and was briefly on the Ravens’ roster before being claimed by the Los Angeles Rams. Williams played a key role in the Rams’ Super Bowl run and signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, worth $10 million per year. Running back Gus Edwards, also undrafted, carved out a strong role in the Ravens’ backfield as a powerful, downhill runner. He signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, averaging $5 million per season. For players who didn’t even hear their names called on draft day, their financial success further cements the legacy of this remarkable class.
Safety DeShon Elliott, a sixth-round pick at 190th overall, has been a solid contributor throughout his career, earning a reputation as a physical enforcer in the secondary. He’s now signed to a multi-year deal that averages $6.25 million annually, a strong figure for a player once thought to be merely depth. Fellow sixth-rounder Bradley Bozeman, taken 215th overall, has also established himself as a starter in the NFL. Bozeman, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, is averaging $6 million per year, continuing the trend of late-round Ravens draftees turning into well-compensated NFL regulars.
Cornerback Anthony Averett, taken in the fourth round with the 118th pick, has bounced around a bit but shown enough talent to remain in the league and earn $4 million per year in recent deals. While not a superstar, Averett has had a respectable career that contributed to the overall monetary haul of this class.
Tight end Hayden Hurst, the Ravens’ first pick in the 2018 draft at 25th overall, had a slower start to his career in Baltimore due to the emergence of Andrews. However, he found a more prominent role in Atlanta and later in Cincinnati and Carolina. Hurst has signed multiple deals in his career and is currently averaging $7.25 million per year. While he hasn’t reached the stardom of some of his draft classmates, he has still carved out a financially successful NFL career.
Taken together, the combined average annual value of contracts signed by players from the Ravens’ 2018 draft class easily surpasses any previous draft class in NFL history. This includes not only players retained by the Ravens but also those who moved on to other teams — a testament to their sustained impact across the league. While many great draft classes have produced Hall of Famers, All-Pros, or Super Bowl champions, the 2018 Ravens group is unique in its collective financial reward, spanning stars, role players, and developmental success stories alike.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the diversity of positions and pathways represented. From a franchise quarterback to tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive backs, and running backs, the class had a little bit of everything. It wasn’t just one player carrying the financial weight; multiple members have signed eight-figure-per-year deals across various teams. This rare depth is nearly impossible to replicate, even for the league’s best front offices.
Moreover, the performance of these players continues to ripple through the NFL. Teams that acquired Ravens draftees — like the Dolphins with Sieler, the Bengals with Brown, or the Jaguars with Williams — have come to depend on their presence. Meanwhile, Baltimore’s ability to build, develop, and, when necessary, part ways with talent has allowed the team to stay competitive while simultaneously enhancing the value of their former players on the open market.
In a league built on parity and constant roster turnover, what the Ravens accomplished in 2018 stands as a masterclass in team building. From top to bottom, that year’s class wasn’t just filled with quality football players, but with professionals who would go on to earn generational wealth through second and third contracts. It’s a dream scenario for any NFL general manager — but one that few ever realize.
Now, with the historical context in full view, the Ravens’ 2018 draft class is no longer just a standout for Baltimore fans. It’s a benchmark for future evaluations, a case study in identifying talent at all levels of the draft process, and, most clearly, the most lucrative draft class in the storied history of the National Football League.
