The Baltimore Ravens took OT Jah Reid out of Central Florida with the 85th overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.  Reid played in 53 games (41 starts) in his four years with the Knights.  He impressed late in the season against Georgia and in the East/West Shrine Game and that’s what likely caught GM Ozzie Newsome’s eye.  Reid is a big guy at 6’7″, 327 pounds, so he has pretty good playing power.  He is a tad slow against speed rushers though, so his future is at RT in the pros.  This was quite a bit of a reach for the Ravens as Reid wasn’t expected to be picked until at least the 5th round.

The Baltimore Ravens have needed a speed burner at WR and it looks like they found one.  The Ravens picked 22-year old WR Torrey Smith out of Maryland with the 58th overall pick (2nd round) out of Maryland.  Smith is 6’0″, 205 pounds and he runs a 4.45 40.  Smith is a playmaker both in the passing game down the field and as a kickoff returner.  Smith played in 13 games (12 starts) for Maryland last year and he caught 67 passes for 1,055 yards (15.7 avg) with 12 TD grabs.  He played in 38 games (28 starts) in his three years at Maryland and he caught 152 passes for 2,215 yards (14.6 avg) with 19 TD grabs.  Smith finally will give Ravens’ QB Joe Flacco the weapon he needs to stretch the field in the passing game.  This was another outstanding pick for Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens.

The Ravens were working on a deal with the Bears while they were on the clock but it hit a snag and caused the Ravens to pass.  The Chiefs then ran up to the podium and took WR Jon Baldwin out of Pittsburgh.  The Ravens then used the 27th overall pick in the NFL Draft on 23-year old CB Jimmy Smith out of Colorado.  He certainly looks the part as he is 6’2″, 201 pounds and he runs a 4.46 40.  Smith played in 12 games (all starts) for Colorado last season and he had 70 tackles, broke up 5 passes, he forced 1 fumble and he recovered 1 fumble.  Smith played in 47 games (27 starts) in his four seasons with the Buffaloes and he had 183 tackles, broke up 21 passes, had 3 interceptions, forced 3 fumbles and he recovered 3 fumbles.  This was a good pick for the Ravens as Smith really fills a need for them.

The Ravens’ had a very sub-par draft last April but I don’t think that will happen again next weekend because Ravens’ GM Ozzie Newsome is too sharp.  I think the Ravens usually draft for need (which I think is very smart) in the first half of the draft before taking the best player available from rounds 5-7.  Here is a look at who I project the Ravens to take next weekend based on my mock draft:

1st round (#26 overall) – Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

2nd round (#58 overall) – Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy State

3rd round (#90 overall) – Kris O’Dowd, C, USC

4th round (#123 overall) – Curtis Marsh, CB, Utah State

5th round (#164 overall) – Roy Helu, RB, Nebraska

5th round (#165 overall) – Anthony Sherman, FB, Connecticut

6th round (#180 overall) – Bilal Powell, RB, Louisville

6th round (#191 overall) – Nick Bellore, ILB, Central Michigan

7th round (#225 overall) – Taiwan Jones, RB, Eastern Washington

Nate Solder and Kris O’Dowd could be starters from Day #1 for the Ravens if center Matt Birk decides not to come back or to retire.  The rest of the guys will have to earn there way into significant roles starting in training camp (if there is one).  I think this would be a nice group for the Ravens.