2015 NFL Mock Draft: Todd McShay Projects Wide Receiver Jaelen Strong in Latest Mock

Dec 27, 2014; El Paso, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jaelen Strong (21) jumps in the air to catch a pass against the Duke Blue Devils in the 2014 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

We’re heading into the final weeks of the 2015 NFL Mock Draft season, and the “experts” continue to do their best predicting what players teams will select in April. One of those experts, ESPN’s Todd McShay, has the Ravens taking Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong with the 26th pick in the first round of his Mock Draft 4.0. Here’s what he had to say about the pick:

"“The Ravens’ priorities in this draft have to be upgrading at cornerback and safety, but they could also go with a wide receiver, running back or pass-rusher here depending on how the board shakes out. I have them taking Strong in this scenario as a big-play target to replace Torrey Smith opposite Steve Smith Sr. Strong isn’t the burner Torrey Smith was and takes a little time to build up speed, but his 4.44 40 and 42-inch vertical leap are good numbers for a player his size (6-2, 217 pounds), and he shows the ability to separate when the ball is in the air and come down with contested catches.”Todd McShay, ESPN"

Strong has prototypical receiver size and is a consensus top 10 wide receiver in this draft class. The Ravens have an obvious need at receiver and could certainly use a young playmaker, but with the depth at the wide receiver position in this year’s draft, it’s really anyone’s guess who they could go with if they do decide to pick one in the first round.

Much of the choice will depend on who’s available, but it seems that they’ll probably have their pick of Strong, Devin Smith, Devin Funchess, Breshad Perriman, or possibly Dorial Green-Beckham (who would be my choice if he fell, the kid is a freak).

That, of course, is if they even go WR with their first pick. John Harbaugh recently said that the Ravens don’t necessarily need to take a WR in the first round. The Ravens’ history of first round WRs is sketchy at best (Travis Taylor and Mark Clayton) and if Washington CB Marcus Peters falls to them, given the depth in this receiver class and the impending free agency of current top corner Jimmy Smith, he would be hard to pass up.

Next: Ravens Don't Necessarily Need a WR in First Round

More from Ebony Bird

Home/Ravens Draft