Taken in the third round (86th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft from Iowa, Marshal Yanda entered the league with a blue-collar work ethic and a rugged, physical playing style. While left tackle Jonathan Ogden set the gold standard for Baltimore line play in the 1990s and 2000s, Yanda stepped in to become the unquestioned engine of the Ravens' front five throughout the 2010s, cementing his legacy as one of the most dominant interior guards in modern football history.

Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 305 pounds, Yanda utilized precise hand placement, explosive core power, and a fierce competitive edge to dominate the line of scrimmage. Mainly playing at right guard—briefly filling in at right tackle during injuries—he excelled at stopping interior pass rushers with a solid anchor and used persistent leg drive to open B-gap lanes in Baltimore's power run plays.

After securing a starting role in his 2007 rookie season, Yanda faced a severe multi-ligament knee injury in 2008 but managed to improve his performance to an elite level. His standout period started in 2011, when he was first chosen for the Pro Bowl as the offensive line created running lanes for Ray Rice and led Baltimore to the AFC Championship Game. During the 2012 postseason, Yanda anchored the interior of an offensive line that allowed minimal pressure, powering the franchise to a Super Bowl XLVII victory.

His personal peak occurred around the middle of the decade, when Yanda earned First-Team All-Pro honors in consecutive years (2014 and 2015), establishing himself as the top guard in the league. Even after switching from right guard to left guard in 2016 because of team injuries—and playing much of that season with a torn shoulder labrum—he maintained an impeccable record, not allowing a single sack or quarterback hit throughout the year.

Yanda upheld his exceptional standard into the later years of his career. Acting as the experienced leader for a young Lamar Jackson, he achieved his seventh and eighth Pro Bowl nominations in 2018 and 2019. He finished his career by paving the way for the 2019 team, which set the NFL record for single-season rushing yards with 3,296 yards.

After retiring following the 2019 season, Yanda, who spent all 13 of his professional years with Baltimore, tied Jonathan Ogden for the most regular-season games played by an offensive lineman in franchise history at 177. Including playoffs, his total of 191 games set a franchise record for linemen. Inducted into the Ravens Ring of Honor in December 2022, Yanda's path to Canton is seen as inevitable, as he has been a multiple-time finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Drafted fifth overall in 2000 from Tennessee, Jamal Lewis was brought to Baltimore as the primary running back. With a unique blend of 240-pound power and track speed, Lewis established a strong rushing identity for the franchise, leading the offense during a championship period focused on a dominant defense.

Lewis was a formidable power runner who wore down defenses through relentless physicality. Instead of dodging behind the line of scrimmage, he charged downhill, planting his cleats and powerfully driving through arm tackles. Once past the second level, he had explosive speed, making him capable of turning short-yardage dives into long touchdown runs.

Lewis made an immediate impact as a rookie in 2000, taking over the lead running back position and rushing for 1,364 yards and six touchdowns. He became an essential player in the postseason, rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXV, becoming the youngest player to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl. After injuring his ACL and missing the entire 2001 season, Lewis returned in 2002, resuming his strong performance with 1,327 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

His masterpiece came in 2003, marking one of the most outstanding rushing seasons in football history. Notably, he set an NFL single-game record with 295 yards against Cleveland in Week 2. Throughout that season, Lewis carried the ball 387 times, amassing 2,066 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He was only the fifth player in league history to surpass 2,000 yards, earning his first Pro Bowl selection, First-Team All-Pro honors, and the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.

Despite facing injuries and off-field legal problems in 2004, Lewis managed to surpass 1,000 yards (1,006 yards) in only 12 games. He achieved another 1,000-yard season in 2006 with 1,132 yards and 9 touchdowns, contributing significantly to Baltimore's 13-3 record and division win in the AFC North.

After the 2006 season, Lewis joined the division rival Cleveland Browns, achieving his fifth and final 1,000-yard rushing season in 2007 before retiring after the 2009 season. During his time in Baltimore, he played 91 regular-season games, rushing for 7,801 yards, adding 1,265 receiving yards, and scoring 47 total touchdowns. His 7,801 rushing yards still stand as the franchise record. In 2021, the Baltimore Ravens honored Lewis by inducting him into their Ring of Honor.

Selected fourth overall in the 1997 NFL Draft from Florida State, Peter Boulware joined the Ravens as a dynamic edge rusher, aimed at energizing a young franchise. Playing alongside Ray Lewis in the front seven, Boulware utilized explosive speed to establish himself as the team's primary edge defender and laid the foundation for the aggressive defenses that came after.

Boulware had a deadly mix of a quick first step, long reach, and smooth corner-turning skills. Mainly playing outside linebacker in 3-4 schemes or rushing as an end in nickel formations, he excelled at beating offensive tackles with speed to the outside before dipping his shoulder to reach the quarterback. His relentless motor also enabled him to pursue plays from behind, making him a quick-impact player in passing situations.

Boulware made a strong start as a rookie in 1997, disrupting backfields to achieve 11.5 sacks. His quick impact earned him the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and indicated Baltimore was assembling a formidable defensive squad. He continued his success with 8.5 sacks in 1998, earning his first Pro Bowl, and then recorded 10.0 sacks in 1999, securing a second straight Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro recognition.

In the notable 2000 season, Boulware was a crucial pass-rusher for the legendary defense that set the 16-game record with only 165 points allowed. He recorded 7.0 sacks during the regular season and contributed an additional three in the postseason, helping them secure victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.

Boulware hit his career peak in 2001 with a franchise-record 15.0 sacks, leading the AFC. He continued to be a top edge rusher over the following two seasons, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2002 and 2003, with a total of 15.5 sacks during those years.

Severe knee problems caused him to miss the entire 2004 season. He returned in a limited role in 2005, recording 2.5 sacks, but injuries ultimately ended his career early. Boulware appeared in 126 regular-season games, amassing 70.0 sacks, 401 tackles, and 14 forced fumbles.

Chris McAlister, drafted 10th overall in 1999 from Arizona, joined Baltimore with ideal size, exceptional speed, and strong confidence, fitting perfectly into the secondary. Playing opposite Duane Starks and supported by safety Rod Woodson, he became a true shutdown cornerback, capable of isolating the opponent's primary receiver, which enabled defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis to generate pressure upfront.

McAlister had a rare physique for a cornerback around 2000. Instead of backing away, he specialized in press-man coverage, utilizing his long arms and strong jam technique at the line to disrupt receivers early. Once the ball was in the air, his agility and speed made him a scoring threat, often turning turnovers into long returns.

McAlister made a strong debut as a rookie in 1999, intercepting five passes and deflecting 21 throws. The next season, he became a key part of the top-ranked 2000 defense, recording four interceptions, including a 98-yard touchdown return against the Jets, and securing another pick in the postseason as Baltimore advanced to and won Super Bowl XXXV.

In 2002, he made another legendary play against Denver by catching a failed Jason Elam field goal in the back of the end zone and returning it 107 yards for a touchdown as time ran out in the first half, setting a then-NFL record.

In 2003, McAlister's dominance peaked as he allowed few completions on the perimeter, returned an interception 83 yards for a touchdown, and earned his first First-Team All-Pro honor and first Pro Bowl appearance. He extended his contract in 2004 and maintained his elite performance, earning Second-Team All-Pro honors that year and a Pro Bowl selection in 2006, with six interceptions including two returned for touchdowns.

Injuries hindered his last two seasons in Baltimore before he was released after the 2008 season. After a short final period with New Orleans in 2009, McAlister retired from football. Over 10 seasons with the Ravens, he recorded 26 interceptions, 5 defensive touchdowns, 138 pass deflections, and appeared in 3 postseason games, totaling 135 regular-season appearances. Following his career, he faced financial difficulties publicly, but his reputation as a top-tier boundary defender endures.