Ozzie Newsome’s Farewell Draft Class

Round 1, Pick 25: Hayden Hurst, Tight End

Even on draft night, Newsome took significant criticism for the South Carolina product. Hurst has had flashes of good play, but he is Baltimore’s second-best blocking tight end and second-best receiving tight end. Hurst has 43 catches for 512 yards and a trio of touchdowns, but he has yet to establish himself as a high-level tight end. The Ravens love to throw to tight ends, but it will be difficult for Hurst to become the top tight end on the depth chart in the coming years. Hurst is good, but he plays behind two tight ends who are better fits for the current Ravens.

Round 1, Pick 32: Lamar Jackson, Quarterback

With Newsome’s first first-round pick for the Ravens, he took future Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden. With his final first-round pick, Newsome took the soon-to-be 2019 NFL MVP. The former Heisman Trophy winner made incredible improvements to his game and transformed into one of the best quarterbacks in football. Jackson still has hurdles to overcome in regards to his postseason play, but he has an incredibly bright future. Jackson was quite the gift from Ozzie Newsome’s farewell draft class. Drafting the right quarterback is an inexact science, but the Ravens struck gold with Jackson.

Round 3, Pick 83: Orlando Brown Jr., Tackle

The son of former Raven Orlando Brown Sr., Brown Jr. became a premier right tackle in his second year in the league. He missed zero snaps and excelled in both pass protection and run blocking. While he was not among the first set of Pro Bowlers, Brown eventually booked his ticket to Orlando. Newsome was able to nail down franchise-level tackles in his final few years as an executive, drafting 2019 All-Pro left tackle, Ronnie Stanley, in 2016 and drafting the aforementioned Brown in 2018. Brown is another gift from Ozzie Newsome’s farewell draft class.

Round 3, Pick 86: Mark Andrews, Tight End

Andrews was incredibly productive in his second season in the NFL. Andrews posted 64 catches, 852 yards, and 10 touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl nod. He solidified himself as the #1 target for the Ravens, and he would have hit 100 targets if he had played in Week 17. While he does not have the blocking acumen of Hayden Hurst or Nick Boyle, Andrews is a tremendous receiving threat. Andrews should be a force for the next decade, and he is yet another parting gift from Ozzie Newsome’s farewell draft class.

Round 4, Pick 118: Anthony Averett, Cornerback

Averett has been a mixed bag in two seasons. He has appeared in 20 games, and he has generally not been asked to be the lead corner. Averett has his moments, but he has lots of room to improve as a depth corner.

Round 4, Pick 122: Kenny Young, Linebacker

After 21 games with the Ravens, Young was sent to the Rams in exchange for Marcus Peters. Young was a member of the unproductive linebacking corps, and his exodus brought in a shiny new defensive back. Peters stepped into Baltimore and excelled immediately. Peters was recognized as an All-Pro, and he was one of the top five or ten corners in the entire league. In the meantime, Young totaled 0 snaps for the Rams.

Round 4, Pick 132: Jaleel Scott, Wide Receiver

Scott has played 19 snaps across three games for Baltimore. After a lone special teams snap against the Bengals and Seahawks, Scott played 17 against the Steelers, receiving three targets and one catch for six yards. Scott has been pushed down the depth chart by the 2019 draftees of Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin. It is unclear as to what Scott’s role will be moving forward, but he is unlikely to be near the top of the depth chart.

Round 5, Pick 162: Jordan Lasley, Wide Receiver

Lasley has not sniffed NFL action since being drafted. He was waived by the Ravens in July of 2019 before being acquired by the Raiders and Lions over the next 35 days.

Round 6, Pick 190: DeShon Elliott, Safety

Elliott was mainly a special teamer in 2019, but with injuries piling up in the secondary, he was forced into a larger role in his final game before he was injured. Elliott was only on the defense for 40 snaps, but he had good moments. He will likely play a larger role in 2020 if the Ravens make some cuts in the secondary.

Round 6, Pick 212: Greg Senat, Tackle

Senat has played zero snaps in two seasons, ending both years on injured reserve. Senat is now on the Chiefs and could become a Super Bowl champion.

Round 6, Pick 215: Bradley Bozeman, Center

Bozeman has played 30 out of 32 games for the Ravens. In 2019, he did not miss a snap at left guard. Bozeman is fairly average, but he helps line stability. He is not as highly touted as the bookend tackles or Marshal Yanda, but he has been a major asset with his versatility on the line. Bozeman was a terrific value for being a sixth-round pick.

Round 7, Pick 238: Zach Sieler, Defensive End

Sieler played two games as a rookie. In 2019, he played four games with Baltimore before being waived in December. He was quickly scooped up by the Dolphins, and he had a stellar game against the Bengals with seven tackles and a pair of pass deflections. Heading into his age-25 season, Sieler might be able to make an impact for an improving Dolphins squad.

In Ozzie Newsome’s farewell draft class, he hit on three future stars and positional depth across the board. The 2018 draft is a major reason as to why the Ravens had such a successful 2019 season, and they will be the driving forces on the next decade of Baltimore football.

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