The NFL's Top 50 Draft Classes of the Decade: No. 40 Baltimore Ravens, 2008

Team Achievements: 20-12, 2 playoff berths, 2009 AFC North champions.
The Ravens' 2008 Selections: Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware (No. 18) **
Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers (No. 55) ***
Tavares Gooden, LB, Miami (No. 71) *
Tom Zbikowski, S, Notre Dame (No. 86) ***
Oniel Cousins, OT, UTEP (No. 99)
Marcus Smith, WR, New Mexico (No. 106)
David Hale, G, Weber State (No. 133)
Haruki Nakamura, S, Cincinnati (No. 206)
Justin Harper, WR, Virginia Tech (No. 215)
Allen Patrick, RB, Oklahoma (No. 240)

* Baltimore traded the No. 8 pick to Jacksonville for the No. 26, No. 71, and No. 89 picks.
** Baltimore traded the No. 26, No. 89, and No. 173 picks to Houston for the No. 18 pick.
*** Baltimore traded the No. 38 pick to Seattle for the No. 55 and No. 86 selections.

Class Accolades: Joe Flacco - 20-12 regular season record as the Ravens' starting quarterback, 6,584 passing yards, 35 career touchdowns, 21 interceptions.
Ray Rice - 2009 Pro Bowl, No. 2 in yards from scrimmage in 2009 (2,041), 8 total touchdowns, No. 1 in receptions by RB in 2009 (78).
Tavares Gooden - 40 total tackles in 12 starts in 2009.
Tom Zbikowski - 2 interceptions, 25 total tackles in two seasons.

Overall Draft Analysis: The Ravens' disappointing 5-11 2007 season, ultimately served as a draft-day blessing in disguise. Ozzie Newsome and Co. reaped the rewards of an extremely proactive approach during the subsequent draft. The team maximized value by trading down, and then up, for the unheralded Flacco, while trading down for the seemingly undersized Rice. Remarkably, the dynamic duo's impressive performance likely exceeds even the front office's wildest expectations. Flacco has displayed the presence, poise, and precision of a seasoned NFL signal-caller, along with one of the league's most elite deep balls. As the Ravens continue to surround Flacco with a more explosive supporting cast, expect the former Blue Hen to flourish.

Rice emerged as the catalyst of the Ravens' balanced attack in 2009, leading the team to only its second top-10 ranking in points scored since 1996. Rice already ranks amongst the NFL's most explosive dual-threats, leading all running backs in receptions and trailing only Chris Johnson in yards from scrimmage in 2009. Rice displayed tremendous vision as the Ravens' primary playmaker, ranking No. 3 runs of 20+ yards, with 11. Whether Rice's compact frame can continue to withstand the relentless rigors of the NFL remains the critical question, but optimism should abound in Baltimore.

After playing in only 4 games as a rookie, linebacker Tavares Gooden overcame injuries to start in 12 games in 2009. Gooden performed serviceably in the expanded role, yet, must progress as a playmaker to secure a spot in the Ravens' vaunted defense. Zbikowski and Nakamura have proven dependable special teams' contributors and secondary backups, during their first two seasons, while the Ravens cut the disappointing Cousins in 2009. Thus far, the team's remaining selections have failed to garner significant on-field success. Nonetheless, the Ravens' 2008 aggressive draft-day approach undoubtedly deserves high praise for securing Flacco and Rice. A changing of the guard in Baltimore remains imminent, yet the team should continue to contend in the AFC, thanks to its potent pair of playmakers.

The Ravens' "Perfect Draft" in Retrospect
(Keeping actual trades, only players of same position are eligible)
No. 18 - QB Joe Flacco, No. 55 - RB Ray Rice, No. 71 - LB Cliff Avril, No. 86 - S Thomas DeCoud, No. 99 - OT Carl Nicks, No. 106 - WR Josh Morgan, No. 133 - G Donald Thomas, No. 206 - S Chris Horton, No. 215 - WR Pierre Garcon (Undrafted), No. 240 - RB Clifton Smith.

References:
All stats, draft results as referenced on www.pro-football-reference.com and NFL.com.