3 Draft Picks the Ravens Gave Up on Too Early

One of the drawbacks of drafting as frequently and as effectively as the Baltimore Ravens is the fact that you're more likely to develop players into stars, only to see them lave when their second contract comes along. Players like Breshad Perriman and Kelechi Osemele had their moments, but left in free agency for bigger contracts. Tyrod Taylor, meanwhile, exploded in Buffalo to the surprise of many. These three picks, however, proved the Ravens wrong after Baltimore shockingly cut them loose early in their careers.

3. EDGE John Simon

New England Patriots defensive end John Simon / Michael Reaves/Getty Images

A fourth-round pick out of Ohio State in 2013, the Ravens never gave Simon a chance, as he recorded just four tackles before they sent him to Houston. With the Texans, Simon recorded 10 sacks in three seasons before he became a starter on the edge with the New England Patriots. Simon started 12 games last season, establishing himself as one of the better run-stopping defensive ends in football. His skillset would have been ideal for the defense Wink Martindale wants to run.

2. EDGE Za'Darius Smith

Green Bay Packers pass rusher Za'Darius Smith / Stacy Revere/Getty Images

While Matthew Judon was able to replace his production, the Ravens might have had one of the best combinations of pass rushers in all of football had they retained Smith. The former Kentucky star built upon his 8.5 sacks with Baltimore in 2018 by piling 13.5 for Green Bay in 2019 while helping the Packers make it to the NFC Championship Game. As soon as he left Baltimore, Smith's natural talent as a pass rusher began to flourish, which had to make John Harbaugh livid.

1. TE Darren Waller

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller / Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Waller was a 6-6, 250 pound receiver at Georgia Tech, but his conversion to tight end in the NFL took longer than expected, as his struggles with substance abuse and the physicality of the pros limited him to just 12 catches in two years. However, Waller was reborn with the Raiders last year, compiling an absurd 1,145 yards receiving and earning himself a new contract that goes through 2023. With how often Lamar Jackson likes to throw to tight ends, Waller would have been an ideal seam buster for Greg Roman's offense.