Eric DeCosta has helped keep the Baltimore Ravens among the NFL's most talented rosters by attacking premium positions and leaning on the organization's draft-and-develop foundation.
Since becoming general manager in 2019, DeCosta has used first-round picks on wide receivers, defensive backs, offensive linemen, linebackers, and edge rushers. Some became immediate franchise cornerstones. Others flashed early, departed in trades or free agency, or remain in the prove-it stage of their careers. The result is a fascinating first-round résumé that includes All-Pros, Pro Bowlers, starters, traded ******* ets, and one new selection who has not yet played an NFL game.
This ranking weighs production, value to Baltimore, individual honors, positional importance, roster impact, and long-term return on investment.
Kyle Hamilton is the best first-round pick of the DeCosta era and one of the best defensive players in football. The Ravens selected him with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, and he quickly became the type of versatile defender who can shape an entire defensive system.
Hamilton has already earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and his second AP first-team All-Pro honor, joining Hall of Famer Ed Reed as the only Ravens defensive backs to earn multiple Pro Bowl nods within the first three years of a career. His ability to play deep, cover tight ends, blitz, fit the run, and align near the line of scrimmage makes him the centerpiece of Anthony Weaver’s defense. Everything Baltimore wants to disguise and create on defense starts with Hamilton’s versatility.
Since becoming general manager in 2019, DeCosta has used first-round picks on wide receivers, defensive backs, offensive linemen, linebackers, and edge rushers. Some became immediate franchise cornerstones. Others flashed early, departed in trades or free agency, or remain in the prove-it stage of their careers. The result is a fascinating first-round résumé that includes All-Pros, Pro Bowlers, starters, traded ******* ets, and one new selection who has not yet played an NFL game.
This ranking weighs production, value to Baltimore, individual honors, positional importance, roster impact, and long-term return on investment.
Kyle Hamilton is the best first-round pick of the DeCosta era and one of the best defensive players in football. The Ravens selected him with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, and he quickly became the type of versatile defender who can shape an entire defensive system.
Hamilton has already earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and his second AP first-team All-Pro honor, joining Hall of Famer Ed Reed as the only Ravens defensive backs to earn multiple Pro Bowl nods within the first three years of a career. His ability to play deep, cover tight ends, blitz, fit the run, and align near the line of scrimmage makes him the centerpiece of Anthony Weaver’s defense. Everything Baltimore wants to disguise and create on defense starts with Hamilton’s versatility.
5 months ago
