The Green Bay Packers were close to drafting future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis in the 1996 NFL Draft, as revealed by former front office executive Eliot Wolf.

By the Numbers
  • This would have been the fourth time since 1996 that an offensive lineman was taken by Green Bay in the first round.
  • Ray Lewis was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 26th overall pick in the 1996 draft.
Yes, But

The Packers missed out on drafting Lewis due to the Ravens picking him right before their turn, impacting the trajectory of their defense.

State of Play
  • Eliot Wolf, currently with the New England Patriots, reflects on the missed opportunity to draft Lewis back in 1996.
  • Ray Lewis went on to have a stellar career, winning multiple accolades and being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
What's Next

If the Packers had drafted Ray Lewis in 1996, their defensive unit with other star players could have been even more dominant, altering the course of their team's history.

Bottom Line

The Green Bay Packers were on the brink of adding a generational talent to their roster in the form of Ray Lewis, a move that could have reshaped the team's defensive prowess and possibly altered their success in the NFL.