With the NFL Draft only four days away, we want to post each of the five remaining Top Ten Biggest Draft Successes in Baltimore Ravens history prior to its start Thursday evening. Thus, here we are at the top five and the next name on the list is defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. The Ravens traded up one spot with the Cleveland Browns to grab the University of Oregon product with the 12th pick of the first round in the 2006 NFL Draft. The Browns were more than willing to get an additional pick in that draft just to move back one spot, as they knew the Ravens coveted Ngata, while Cleveland had their eyes on Kamerion Wimbley.
Wimbley is now with the Oakland Raiders while Ngata is an All-Pro, summarizing the difference between the Browns and Ravens recent success in the draft. While Ngata is not a quarterback-sack machine, he is one of the better run stuffers in the league and is considered among, if not the best defensive tackle in the game. His athleticism for a guy his size (6;4", 350 lbs.) is amazing and the fact he led his high school team to the Utah state rugby championship game was proof positive enough for the Ravens to jump at the chance to have him join their already dominant defense.
In his five years with the team, Haloti has sacked the quarterback, ran down opposing running backs from behind, dropped back into coverage and picked off passes. Along with fellow defensive tackle, Kelly Gregg, he occupies offensive linemen so LB Ray Lewis and company can make the tackles and get the defense off of the field. As long as Haloti Ngata remains in the trenches, the Ravens defense will continue to be one of the better units in the NFL and he will always rank as one of the best draft picks in team history.
Are You Smarter Than The Experts?
Correctly predict the first 32 picks of the 2011 NFL Draft and you’ll win $10,000,000!
BEST ROUND EVER IN PRIMETIME
Enter at facebook.com/BudLight
Here We Go
Enjoy Responsibly ©2011 Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Bud Light® Beer, St. Louis, MO. ©2011 NFL Properties LLC. All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. No Purchase Necessary. Contest open to U.S. residents (except CA) 21+. Contest begins 12AM CDT on 4/1 and ends 5:59:59PM CDT on 4/28. See Official Rules for complete details. Void where prohibited.