Last week, we touched down on Round 4 of the Ravens draft history. This week we’ll focus on Round 5 where the Ravens clearly found some value.
1996 (153) Jermaine Lewis, WR, Maryland
The first 5th round draft pick in team history was a local one as the front office decided to take a chance on a home-grown receiver. Lewis, a track-and-field star, established himself as one of the league’s best kick-returners. While he did have an impact in the Ravens air-attack, he mainly stood out as an ace in the return-game. The multi-purpose playmaker spent six seasons in Baltimore before being selected in the 2002 expansion draft by the Houston Texans. He currently holds several Ravens records, including most punt-return touchdowns (6). GRADE B+
1997 (134) Jeff Mitchell, C, Florida
The team went down to “The Swamp” with this pick, hoping that this former Gator could become a mainstay on the offensive line. Mitchell spent four seasons with the Ravens, earning a starting role for the latter part of his time in purple and black. He earned his Super Bowl ring during his final campaign with the team after during the 2000 season. The Carolina Panthers snatched him up in 2001 and utilized him on the offensive line for five seasons. GRADE: B+
1998 (124) Martin Chase, DT, Oklahoma
The Ravens used this high 5th rounder on a guy who they had hoped would turn out to be a big-bodied threat on the defensive line. Ultimately, Chase never thrived in Baltimore and wasn’t able to see the field for regular season playing time. GRADE: D-
1998 (133) Ryan Sutter, S, Colorado
Sutter never actually played with the Ravens, but he did go on to have a pretty successful career…in reality TV. He was the winner of The Bachelor on ABC and married his wife Trista in 2003. The two are still together and are best-known as one of the few couples to ever stay together on the infamous reality drama. His dream of being an NFL star never was realized – but to be truthful – his life is better than most who get drafted in the 5th round. GRADE: F
2000 (148) Richard Mercier, OL, Miami
Mercier was another late-round pick that never flourished in the NFL, registering no starting time in the league. While the Ravens probably looked for someone who could fill a spot on the depth chart, they didn’t find it at all in Mercier. GRADE: D
2001 (161) Chris Barnes, RB, New Mexico State
The Ravens continued their string of poor 5th-round picks with this post-Super Bowl selection. Barnes never even made it through his first training camp in the league and didn’t have any career in the NFL. This is the definition of a true bust. GRADE: F
2002 (155) Terry Jones, TE, Alabama
Another offensive weapon was targeted in this draft. Todd Heap was taken just a year before this, but the team was likely looking for some insurance behind their young weapon in Heap. Jones played for a few seasons, ultimately acting as a backup for Heap. His stats and starting snaps were limited, but he did score three touchdowns in 2003. GRADE: C+
2003 (146) Aubrayo Franklin, DT, Tennessee
Franklin spent four seasons in Baltimore in a situational role. He did have a few years where he averaged about a tackle per game, but he never thrived as a starter on the defensive line. For a 5th round pick, he made admirable contributions, but as for the long-term, Franklin couldn’t lock down a notable role. In an unusual development for a departed defender, Franklin enjoyed more success when he left Baltimore for San Francisco. GRADE: B-
2003 (173) Tony Pashos, OT, Illinois
The team used this compensatory pick on an offensive tackle to add depth to the offensive line. Pashos’ biggest season was in 2006 when he played all 16 games on the right side in front of a multitude of Ravens quarterbacks. He was effective, but the Ravens didn’t retain him as he was picked up by Jacksonville after a healthy ’06. Since then, he’s been a journeyman. He currently holds a spot on the Raiders depth chart. GRADE: B-
2004 (153) Roderick Green, OLB, Central Missouri State
This small-school linebacker was just the Ravens’ third pick in this draft. He made a minimal on-field impact in his first two seasons before getting stabbed in the stomach in an off-field issue. After being released by the Ravens, he had a few other off-field issues that kept his NFL career a short one. GRADE: C-
2005 (158) Justin Green, FB, Montana
Green is another small-school guy who ultimately wasn’t able to make his mark in the NFL. He played some time in the regular season, mostly on special teams, but an impact on the offensive side of the ball never came. Injuries hurt his chances to make a lasting impression with other teams around the league. GRADE: C
2006 (146) Dawan Landry, S, Georgia Tech
The Ravens took Landry with their second-consecutive Georgia Tech pick of 2006 here. Landry was able to make a positive impact for a 5th-round pick. He had nine career interceptions in Baltimore along with two forced fumbles. The Ravens couldn’t retain him after the 2010 season due to other interest around the league, but you have to believe they would have signed him if the price was right. Landry stood out as not only a solid starter, but as a leader on some very good defenses. GRADE: B+
2006 (166) Quinn Sypniewski, TE, Colorado
This Colorado standout couldn’t keep a spot on the team for long. His best season in Baltimore was in 2007 when he reeled in 34 passes and scored his only NFL touchdown. A severe knee injury in his third off-season was the last noteworthy news of his career with the Ravens as he wasn’t able to be a long-term fit in the starting lineup in any season. Sypniewski was just beginning to develop prior to the devastating career ending injury. GRADE: C+
2007 (174) Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State
The former Buckeye was selected a season before Joe Flacco came to town, but an illness in 2008 put Flacco into the starting spot. The rest, they say is history… Smith filled a backup role for a few games, but was eventually beaten out by Marc Bulger for a spot on the depth chart. Smith is now playing in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Allouettes. His newest target for 2014? Chad “OchoCinco” Johnson. GRADE: C-
2009 (137) Jason Phillips, LB, TCU
The Ravens selected Phillips in hopes of getting some good play from a young guy with potential, but he never lived up to the pre-draft projection the Ravens must have seen. He wasn’t able to start not only with the Ravens, but for anyone in the NFL during his unimpressive career. He’s currently a member of the Eagles – still waiting for his breakout NFL moment. GRADE: C-
2009 (149) Davon Drew, TE, East Carolina
Drew continued the trend of the “5th-round bust tight end” for the Ravens. Despite spending a few seasons on lists not called the 53-man roster, Drew was released by the team before getting a chance to see on-field time with Joe Flacco. In 2010, the Ravens drafted tight ends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson to eliminate any possibility of playing time for Drew. GRADE: D
2010 (156) David Reed, WR, Utah
The Ravens looked across the country to grab Reed, but despite some good pre-draft projections, Reed never latched on with the Ravens. He was given a few opportunities, but poor play and some bad luck led to his release. He currently has just six career catches, but has made a slight impact in the return game for a few teams including the Indianapolis Colts. GRADE: C-
2010 (157) Art Jones, DL, Syracuse
Jones will be a name that so many around Baltimore will remember for a while. Although he was selected late in the draft, he was able to have tremendous success while donning a Ravens jersey. Jones was an asset for the team on and off the field and was a vital part of the 2012 Super Bowl defense. He had 8.5 sacks during his final two years with the Ravens, and while that number might seem somewhat pedestrian, his role in the middle of the D-Line was as big as it could’ve been during his short time as a Raven. GRADE: A
2011 (164) Chykie Brown, CB, Texas
Brown was selected to add depth to the Ravens’ secondary unit, and during his few years with the team, he has been able to do just that. Brown has been an active special-teamer, and the former Longhorn has been able to come in at times and hold down his spot fairly well for a backup. He has yet to register his first NFL interception. GRADE: B-
2011 (165) Pernell McPhee, DL, Mississippi State
Despite being taken a bit later in this draft, McPhee has clearly shown coaches something they like. He has been able to see increased playing-time every year as a situational player and the big lineman fits a perfect spot in the team’s 3-4 defense. McPhee has notched 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in his three seasons. Expect him to stick around as insurance on the depth chart – he has certainly earned a roster spot! GRADE: B+
2012 (169) Asa Jackson, CB, Cal Poly
Jackson, despite having opportunities to move up on the depth chart, has spent more time suspended than any Raven in recent history. Last season, he was forced to sit without pay for the first half of the year due to violating league policies. He has yet to see significant regular season playing time, but it appears the Ravens will continue to keep him around. GRADE: D
2013 (168) Rick Wagner, OL, Wisconsin
The Ravens took Wagner as a potential future starter on the outside, and it appears that he may get the opportunity to fight for that role in 2014. With Michael Oher gone, the team has to bring in a rookie to have a true training camp battle with the former Wisconsin standout. The coaches used Wagner in JUMBO packages a decent amount last season – is 2014 his time to make a name for himself as a starter? GRADE: C
Previous Draft History Posts
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4