The Ravens Need Torrey Devin Smith
The 2015 NFL draft boasts a group of wide receivers likely to rival the top crop from the 2014 draft that included the likes of Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr. and Kelvin Benjamin.
While that sounds great, there is one caveat that Ravens fans may not like to hear: this year’s consensus top 3 receivers, Kevin White (West Virginia), Amari Cooper (Alabama) and Devante Parker (Louisville), are expected to be long gone by the time the Ravens pick at 26. Couple that with Ozzie’s refusal to trade away picks to move up in the draft, and I think it’s safe to say that the best case scenario has the Ravens looking at the 2nd tier of receivers in this draft.
This year’s 2nd tier would include the likes of Dorial Green-Beckham (Missouri), Jaelen Strong (Arizona State), Breshad Perriman (Central Florida), Sammy Coates (Auburn) and Devin Smith (Ohio State), and while none are true studs like the top 3, all have a very good shot at becoming NFL caliber receivers.
Each of these wideouts would be great additions to the Baltimore Ravens, but I believe Devin Smith is hands down the best option for the Ravens with the 26th pick in this year’s draft, and would be able to replace Torrey Smith seamlessly.
I know the initial logic is flawed. I understand that Ozzie does not draft for need, rather he drafts the best player available; however, if the need matches the projected talent at the position, he has pulled the trigger in the past.
In this instance, the dismissal of Jacoby Jones coupled with the impending loss of Torrey Smith via free agency leaves the Ravens thin at receiver, specifically, a deep threat receiver. Heading into the 2015 season, the Ravens currently project a top trio of Steve Smith Sr., Marlon Brown and Kamar Aiken. Not exactly a bunch that strikes fear into the hearts of opposing teams, and certainly not a group that takes advantage of Flacco’s top notch deep ball abilities.
The Ravens need to address the need, and with Devin Smith projected by many to go in the bottom of the 1st round, the best player available may match the Ravens’ needs.
The question then becomes how Devin Smith stacks up to Torrey Smith.
Looking at some quick combine comparisons, Torrey holds the edge on physicality, but he measures up very close to Devin Smith in speed and size.
While a 4.42 40-time is great for Devin Smith, his game speed is even better. Looking back to his 2014 season at OSU, Devin was able to pull away from the defense with consistency, attributing to his 28+ yards per catch average.
The deep ball played a large part in his scoring as well, with 10 of his 12 touchdowns going for 30+ yards, and his top 2 scores of the 50 yard and 80 yard variety. Devin has a true knack for taking the top off the defense and getting behind his man, and he did it with ease. He’s a fluid runner in straight line routes, but also has the ability to play the slot, where his game continues to develop.
The other great thing about Devin Smith is that the Ravens may be able to add an extra pick on day one and still land their guy. Looking at the draft order, if Devin Smith is still sitting at 26 for the Ravens, they may be able to drop back as far as the 31st pick (Seattle) and still get their man. The 5 picks following the Ravens at 26 are Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, Green Bay and Seattle. Outside of Seattle, those 4 teams are more than set at receiver, making it likely that Devin Smith would still be with the 31st pick.
In Seattle’s case, receiving depth is a need, however if they were to trade with Baltimore, there would need to be some sort of assurance that Devin Smith is not the guy they are trading up for, otherwise the consideration of a trade would become a moot point.
As for the potential gain by dropping back 6 spots in the 1st round, Ozzie & Company could earn themselves a nice mid-round pick. Based on Draft Countdown’s Trade Value Chart, trading their 26th pick (700 points) for Seattle’s 31st pick (600 points) would likely net the Ravens an additional 3rd round pick from Seattle (120 points), and we all know how much Ozzie loves to stockpile draft picks.
Just like any other receiver in this draft not named Kevin White or Amari Cooper, Devin Smith has some holes in his game that cause some concern, with the biggest issues being questionable hands and an inability to get separation consistently.
The problem with his hands is not the size- he boasts some 9” paws- but more so a mental issue. While he typically creates space with his speed, Smith has a tendency to look beyond the catch for his next move, or impending hit, and in turn has had trouble maintaining control throughout the catch.
He’s also had some issues adjusting on the ball resulting in some should-be-catches falling incomplete, although that may be attributed to having to wait on the ball to arrive on a handful of occasions (he’s that fast!).
As for his inability to get separation, this occurs more often against physical corners, as his small frame allows Smith to get bullied around easily, and in the process, disrupts the timing of his routes. This aspect of his game is something he continues to work on, and improvements have been made over the past few seasons, but his game still has a long way to go.
Overall, I see Devin Smith being able to step right in, fill the Torrey Smith role seamlessly and give Joe Flacco a true deep threat to compliment his offense. Smith’s next-level speed downfield will take the top off of any defense in the same fashion that Torrey did, and considering that Torrey never truly developed his game beyond a deep threat, Devin Smith won’t be far off from Day 1.
A little bulk up in the weight room should help him against more physical corners, while learning the NFL game from a veteran in Steve Smith Sr. should help him adapt quickly to the game and the franchise. Add in some NFL seasoning while developing his route tree, and I truly believe that Devin Smith will become a top threat in the NFL.
Devin Smith is undeniably the player that the Ravens need in the 1st round of the NFL draft.
