PFF honors Ravens legends in a way that perfectly captures their dominance

The Baltimore Ravens have had tons of talented players rock the purple and black in the franchise's 30 seasons as a member of the National Football League. From Hall of Famers and All-Pros to breakout stars and draft-day gems, this is a team that’s built its identity on finding value and turning talent into culture.

Pro Football Focus' Jonathon Macri reinforced that point with its latest All-2000s roster, a list highlighting the best players of the past 25 seasons. The roster wasn’t assembled based on name recognition—although the names are pretty recognizable. It leaned on PFF’s game-by-game grading system, identifying the highest-performing players since 2000.

And what do you know? The Ravens showed up big time, placing five players on or around the list—more than every other team not named the New England Patriots, and further proof that Baltimore knows how to scout, develop, and sustain greatness as well as anyone.

Five Ravens players make PFF's All-2000s team

Derrick Henry | Running Back

It only took one season in Baltimore for Derrick Henry to vault to the top of PFF’s running back rankings. His 2024 campaign was the best-graded of his career, and per Macri, it gave him the highest career PFF grade (96.8) of any RB in history. Henry averaged a ridiculous 6.0 yards per carry and led the league in rushing grade (93.5), powering an offense that scored a franchise-record 62 touchdowns. Henry parlayed his success into a two-year, $30 million deal this offseason.

Marshal Yanda | Right Guard

Across 13 seasons in Baltimore, Yanda defined consistency and dominance. His 93.6 career PFF grade makes him the only guard to rank top-five in overall, run-blocking, and pass-blocking grades. He allowed one sack over his best pass-blocking season (2016) and was never below a 72.2 grade for a single year. Simply put: a wall.

Ray Lewis | Linebacker

Though Lewis’ career began before PFF’s full grading system, his dominance still shows up in the data. His 91.4 overall grade in 2009 was the best among linebackers that season and remains tied for the third-highest of all time at the position. Lewis remains the Ravens’ emotional cornerstone. Lewis is a Hall of Famer and widely regarded as the best linebacker in the modern era.

Ed Reed | Safety

Like Lewis, Ed Reed only played part of his career under PFF’s lens, but what they captured was special. His 93.4 coverage grade in 2009 was the third-best ever for a safety, and his 19.3% forced incompletion rate ranks second among all safeties graded since 2006. You didn’t throw his way unless you liked to live on the edge. To no one's surprise, Reed is in the HoF with Lewis, a fitting ending for a duo that terrorized opposing offenses for years.

Eric Weddle | Saftey (honorable mention)

While he made the list as an honorable mention, Weddle was deservedly included in the exercise. He may not have played his whole career in Baltimore, but his three-season stint from 2016–2018 was incredibly productive. He earned three Pro Bowl nods and anchored a top-tier defense with smarts, consistency, and elite communication. He remains one of the most respected veterans the Ravens ever signed.

More Balti