Five Best Ravens Undrafted Free Agents Of All Time
The Ravens have a rich and successful history in regard to undrafted NFL Free Agents. Which of the top signees make the list for the Ravens?
The Baltimore Ravens have had almost 30 years of success when navigating the NFL Draft process. This is no more evident than with their impressive haul of undrafted free agents. Most expectations for undrafted players are admittedly, very low however when those players shine it’s all the more impressive.
During the Ozzie Newsome era, the team managed to find several incredible talents who went unnoticed during the NFL Draft. And so, here is a definitive list of the best of this group.
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The Five Best Undrafted Free Agents In Ravens History
1. Justin Tucker – Placekicker – Texas
The 2012 NFL Draft was a loaded class from top to bottom, producing some of the biggest stars in today’s game. Most people would look at players like Russell Wilson, Fletcher Cox, Chandler Jones, and Bobby Wagner as the best of the class with the best odds of making it to the NFL Hall of Fame. However, a name one cannot leave off that list is Ravens kicker Justin Tucker.
After a narrow loss to the New England Patriots in the 2011 AFC Championship Game due to a terrible miss by then-kicker Billy Cundiff, the Ravens needed some change. In comes Tucker, who immediately made the team better. Tucker boasts the highest field goal percentage out of any kicker at 91% and has single-handedly won many games for Baltimore. Tucker has been an invaluable piece of the Ravens team and is by far their most outstanding undrafted free agent.
2. Priest Holmes – Running Back – Texas
Although he enjoyed his greatest success after his time with the Ravens, Priest Holmes remains one of their better finds. Holmes’s early career with the team was incredible, amassing 2,102 rushing yards and ten rushing touchdowns, while also eclipsing the millennium mark once in 1998. He would ultimately be forced out by franchise legend Jamal Lewis but would go onto Kansas City and boast three, 1,000-yard seasons while holding the Chiefs rushing touchdowns record.
3. Mike Flynn – Center – Maine
The Baltimore Ravens have had a historical run of luck when finding offensive linemen in the draft process. Whether it’s high draft picks such as Jonathan Ogden, Marshall Yanda, Chris Chester, and Ben Grubbs or undrafted talents like Matt Skura or the number three player, Mike Flynn.
Flynn was actually cut by the Ravens early in his career only to bounce around the league until landing back in Baltimore for the 2000 season. He would start at right guard for their Super Bowl-winning season before transitioning to center where he would play for the next seven seasons. Flynn was never a Pro Bowl player but started in 115 games for the Ravens and was a consistent contributor.
4. Ma’ake Kemoeatu – Defensive Tackle – Utah
Speaking of consistency, nose tackle Ma’ake Kemoeatu was the very definition of consistency throughout his NFL career. Kemoeatu didn’t start full-time until his final year during his full stint with the Ravens. In 2006 he would join the Carolina Panthers for three years until he would join Washington in 2010. After sitting out the 2011 season, Kemoeatu would join the Ravens 2012 Super Bowl team and would become a key part of their defense.
5. Bart Scott – Linebacker – Southern Illinois
The Baltimore Ravens have had a history of finding quality off-ball linebackers from the undrafted free agent wire. Players on this list include Jameel McClain, Josh Bynes, Dannell Ellerbe, Patrick Onwuasor, Zach Orr. etc. However, by far the best of this group is former Southern Illinois thumper, Bart Scott. Serving as the running mate for Ray Lewis for almost seven years. While with the Ravens, Scott amassed 448 tackles, 38 tackles for a loss, and 16 sacks, nine of those coming during the 2006 season. Scott would join the New York Jets in 2009 and would find more success there before being released in 2001.
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