2015 NFL Mock Draft, Early Free Agency: Wide Receiver for the Baltimore Ravens
By Brett Foote
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Devin Smith catches a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
We keep a pretty close eye on the world of mock drafts around here, and there are plenty of names we’ve seen linked to the Baltimore Ravens. Some of them over and over again. One name that doesn’t come up often is that of Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith, but Charles McDonald has made him the choice over at NFLMocks in his early free agency 2015 NFL mock draft. McDonald’s reasoning for the pick as follows:
"Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones left via free agency leaving Steve Smith (36 in May) as they only viable receiving option on the Ravens. No bueno. Devin Smith will offer the same, if not better, vertical speed that the Ravens lost in Torrey Smith’s departure. Devin Smith is a bit of a one trick pony at this point in his career, but he has flashed the potential to develop into a solid route runner at the next level."
While I wouldn’t call Jacoby Jones a “viable receiving option,” the logic is pretty clear. The Ravens’ recent interest in Mike Wallace is a clear sign that they disagree with us couch GM’s and wish to replace Torrey Smith with another deep threat instead of a true #1 guy. As much as we may kick and scream about it on public forums.
If the Ravens do want to go in this direction, Smith is a good fit. As I (somewhat) ironically pointed out in my Wallace piece, he is almost a clone of the former Miami Dolphin speedster. Devin Smith goes 6’0″/196 pounds and ran a 4.42 40 at the combine, while Wallace is 6’0″/200 pounds and ran a 4.33 40 coming out of college.
Smith had a productive college career, racking up 121 receptions for 2,503 yards and 30 touchdowns. He averaged a ridiculous 28.2 yards per catch in 2014 alone, grabbing 33 balls (12 of which were good for touchdowns). He needs work as a route runner and doesn’t have the best hands, however. Sound familiar?
Devin Smith sure seems like a good fit for the Ravens and he has some tantalizing talent. All may be for naught, unfortunately, if the Cleveland Browns’ seemingly intense interest in Smith turns out to be true. Starved for receiver talent and armed with a pair of first round picks, they could very well crush any hopes the Ravens have of drafting him, if they truly are interested.
Next: Latest Ravens free agent updates