Joe Flacco in a Ravens vs. Panthers game in 2010 (Photo by Grindstone Media Group on Shutterstock)
Throughout their storied history in Baltimore, the Ravens have been defined by defensive excellence, smash-mouth football, and an unwavering commitment to winning. From the intimidating presence of Ray Lewis to the game-changing plays of Ed Reed, countless legendary players have donned the purple and black, cementing their places in NFL history. While current superstar Lamar Jackson and other gridiron superstars are undoubtedly writing their own incredible chapter in Ravens lore, this list focuses exclusively on players who have completed their Baltimore legacies. Looking back at more than 25 years of Ravens football, these standouts didn’t just play the game – they revolutionized their positions and built the foundation for one of the NFL’s most respected franchises. Keep reading for our list of the best Ravens players of all time, according to football fans and experts.
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Top 5 Ravens Players to Ever Run the Field, Ranked
1. Ray Lewis
Ray Lewis is arguably one of the most influential franchise players in Ravens history. His prowess on the field was amazing. According to The Sportster, Ray Lewis “personifies the Baltimore Ravens franchise. Lewis played for the team for 17 seasons spanning from their inaugural season in 1996 until his retirement in 2012. Lewis was with the team through both their Super Bowl victories and was the Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXXV. Lewis had an incredible career as a Raven, holding 3 NFL records, and making 13 Pro Bowls, and he has already been inducted into the Baltimore Ravens’ Ring of Honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
What makes Lewis so legendary? Rookie Road writes a rave review of Lewis on the field: “Few names in the history of the NFL could inspire such fear in offensive players as Ray Lewis. Lewis was a middle linebacker who was notorious for delivering the most punishing of hits and had the ability to make plays all over the field. His skills were backed up by a true mountain of hardware, including two Defensive Player of the Year awards, 13 Pro Bowl appearances, seven First-Team All-Pro listings, along with three appearances on the Second-Team list.”
His legacy comes from more than just the stats. “Whether it’s his electrifying pre-game dance or his tenacity on the field, Ray Lewis is the first player that fans will remember when you mention the Baltimore Ravens. He became the iconic face of the franchise, even after his retirement in 2012. Lewis was selected 26th overall by the Ravens in 1996, making him draftmates with Ogden. They’ve built the foundation of the Ravens franchise on opposite sides of the ball,” gushes Roto Baller.
2. Jonathan Ogden
Jonathan Ogden is a Pro Football Hall of Famer with 12 years on the field that were marked with hard hits and amazing plays. Bleacher Report expands on this: “Ogden was absolutely dominant. From 1997-2007, he made the Pro Bowl every year… he made his mark on the local community and established The Jonathan Ogden Foundation, which provides assistance to disadvantaged youth. There are very few players in all of sports you can assume will perform at the highest level every game. Ogden was one of those few players.”
His selection as the Ravens’ first-ever draft pick proved to be a franchise-defining moment, as Ogden anchored Baltimore’s offensive line through 11 Pro Bowl seasons and laid the foundation for a team culture that would prioritize elite offensive line play for decades to come. Not In Hall of Fame writes: “The first ever draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens was one of the best first ever picks of any sport, and one that was debated within the fanbase as Offensive Lineman were not generally taken so high. It was an excellent choice for the team and would become a long time anchor for the Ravens O-Line.”
Jonathan Ogden didn’t just set the standard for Ravens offensive linemen – he established the prototype for the modern NFL left tackle, combining remarkable athleticism with technical mastery to protect quarterbacks for 12 dominant seasons. “There’s an easy case to be made that Ogden is Baltimore’s best player ever. Had Ogden been that dominant for that long at any skill position, there’s little doubt he’d be No. 1 on this list. But as it stands, Ogden is one of a few offensive linemen to make his way to the Hall of Fame and an even smaller number to do so on their first ballot,” explains Ravens Wire.
3. Ed Reed
Among Ravens’ vocal fandom, Ed Reed tops many lists as a legend. Clutch Points says, “Ed Reed, for many years, might have been the best player in the NFL, not just the best defensive player, but the best player in the entire league. Opposing quarterbacks often wouldn’t even look to Reed’s side of the field because they knew what was going to happen if they did, it was going to be a turnover. Once Reed picked off the ball, there was a chance he was going to take it for a house call.”
Speaking of Reed’s knack for interceptions, The Grueling Truth claims he “has the two longest interception returns in NFL history. He’s scored 13 career touchdowns in four different ways (punt return, 1; blocked punt return, 3; interception return, 7; fumble recovery, 2). Reed was as dynamic a player as the Ravens have ever had. He was the quintessential game-changer.”
“Reed, a former AP Defensive Player of the Year, leads the Ravens in Interception Return Yards and holds every significant Defensive Back record in franchise history. Reed was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019, and he was also named to the 2000s All-Decade Team and the 100th Anniversary Team. Reed was also inducted into the Ravens’ Ring of Honor in 2015,” according to Russell Street Report.
4. Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco did an admirable job during his Ravens tenure. In his role as quarterback, he was often at the center of the action. According to Famous Fix, “He played college football at Delaware after transferring from Pittsburgh and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.”
During his time with the Ravens, fans were totally “wacko for Flacco.” “In 2008, the Baltimore Ravens drafted Joe Flacco at pick no. 18 in the NFL draft. Despite being third in line for the Quarterback position, Flacco would be the starting quarterback for the season opener after an injury and an illness took out original starter Kyle Boller and backup Troy Smith. Flacco would lead the Ravens to a 17-3 win, scoring the game-winning touchdown with a 38-yard rush,” expounds The Sportster.
“Flacco joined the Ravens in 2008 and became a hit instantly. Prior to Flacco, the quarterback position was a never-ending cycle of failure. Flacco is the only quarterback in NFL history to have won more post-season games on the road than [at home]. Flacco stepped up to the plate when it mattered the most,” adds Russell Street Report.
5. Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lewis was a top-rated running back in the early 2000s. He had no lack of exciting career highlights while he was part of the flock. The Sportster says, “Jamal Lewis was a star running back for the Baltimore Ravens between 2000 to 2006… Lewis was first drafted by the Ravens with the 5th pick of the 2000 NFL draft, winning the Super Bowl in his rookie season. Lewis would go on to be the NFL Offensive Player of the year in 2003, a season where he was named to his first Pro Bowl and was the rushing yards leader for the season. Lewis scored 45 rushing touchdowns and 2 receiving touchdowns during his time with the Ravens.”
Jamal Lewis redefined Ravens football with his bruising, relentless running style, most notably during his historic 2003 season when he rushed for 2,066 yards and terrorized defenses with his unique combination of power and breakaway speed. “In his first season as a Raven, Lewis helped the team to their first-ever Super Bowl victory in 2000… It was a strong debut season, but it completely pales in comparison to what Lewis accomplished in 2003,” adds Rookie Road.
He helped establish Baltimore’s smash-mouth offensive identity during his seven seasons with the team, powering the Ravens to their first Super Bowl victory and becoming the franchise’s all-time leading rusher while consistently wearing down opponents with his punishing north-south running style. “During his time in Baltimore, Lewis averaged 1,300 rushing yards and 7.5 rushing touchdowns per season. It’s tough to overstate how great Lewis was after what maybe should have been a career-ending knee injury. His combination of speed and power was unstoppable” (Bleacher Report).
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